NBA draft: Guard Malik Beasley could go to Sixers late in first round
LAS VEGAS - After his impressive performance Tuesday in a workout here, the 76ers may not be able to draft Malachi Richardson with one of their late first-round picks in the June 23 draft.
LAS VEGAS - After his impressive performance Tuesday in a workout here, the 76ers may not be able to draft Malachi Richardson with one of their late first-round picks in the June 23 draft.
He may be off the board by then.
But his good friend, Malik Beasley, could be a legitimate option for the Sixers at No. 24 or 26. For the Sixers, who also have the first overall pick in the draft, the former Florida State shooting guard could be a late-round steal.
That's because Beasley, who is represented by ASM Sports, had a hairline stress fracture in his right shin. He had a rod inserted into his shin to repair to the injury on April 19. The 6-foot-3, 198-pounder is expected to be ready to play in time for next month's summer leagues.
However, his inability to work out for NBA teams during the pre-draft process has caused the once top-20 prospect to slip on several draft boards.
As a result, the Sixers might not have to trade up to get the shooter and floor-spacer that they covet.
Versatile, Beasley is also a dangerous slasher and was a solid rebounder. He was one of the nation's top freshmen last season, averaging 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He was named to the all-Atlantic Coast Conference freshman team.
The biggest question mark is how he will compete against taller shooting guards on the NBA level. Even though he was limited physically, Beasley tried to put that concern to rest Tuesday in front of NBA executives and scouts at the pro day at the Impact Basketball club. He performed some solo shooting drills before the other draft prospects played.
The Sixers were on hand and represented by Brandon Williams, vice president of basketball administration, and Vince Rozman, director of basketball operations and scouting innovations. Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo and coach Brett Brown were in Turkey visiting Dario Saric.
"The main feedback I got from my agent was, 'Wow, he's already back on the court shooting well for someone that just had surgery,' " Beasley said of the NBA personnel. "And the fact that teams are still flying me out to set up interview appointments is really cool."
Beasley interviewed with the Sixers at last month's NBA draft combine in Chicago. The team hasn't scheduled an interview with him at their practice facility in Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He said he has already met with the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.
"I have to show my character off the court," he said. "That's one of the main things that's helping me a lot in this transition."
Beasley has remained optimistic. He said that he could still go anywhere from the 10th to 20th player selected in the draft. The 19-year-old also thinks the Sixers would be a good destination for him.
"When I went to the interview in Chicago, they seemed real positive," he said. "That's always good. The season they had, they could have easily been like, 'Ah, we got this going on.' But they had a great vibe, and I had a good connection with them.
"It would be a good spot. We can start from the bottom and work our way up."
Rooks mourned
Former 76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks died Tuesday, and Brown issued a statement on Wednesday. The cause of death for Rooks, 46, has not been disclosed.
"Sean Rooks was a wonderful person with a kind soul who deserved to live longer than he did," Brown said in part of the statement. "He meant so much to so many people. We are all deeply saddened by his loss and extend our condolences to his family during this time. He will be missed."
Center Jahlil Okafor expressed his feelings on Instagram:
"An amazing and beautiful man he was. Always had my back throughout the season. . . . Never let me get down on myself with all the losing and criticism."
@PompeyOnSixers