Lakers News: LA Holds Yet Another Pre-Draft Workout Featuring San Diego State Star
Earlier today, your Los Angeles Lakers' front office and coaches brought in six fresh prospects in anticipation of next week's impending NBA draft.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers auditioned Marshall shooting guard Taevion Kinsey, Utah State forward Taylor Funk, University of Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo, Pittsburgh wing Jamarius Burton, Princeton University forward Tosan Evbuomwan, San Diego State big man Nathan Mensah.
Kinsey, a 6'5" super-senior (NCAA players impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received a bonus season of college eligibility), was the 2023 Sun Belt Player of the Year. Last season, he averaged a career-best 22.1 points on .542/.404/.744 shooting splits, along with personal highs in assists (5.4) and steals (1.7), plus 4.9 boards a night. The Thundering Herd swingman was also a three-time All-Conference USA Team honoree during his five college seasons.
The 6'8", British-born Evbuomwan was named the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2022. With the Tigers last season, he averaged 15.1 points on 51.5% shooting, as well as 6.3 boards and 4.9 dimes. Those numbers are down from his All-Ivy League First Team season in 2022. A regression, especially in a largely healthy junior season, is always a bit ominous ahead of a draft.
The 6'10" Mensah, 25, was a four-year center/power forward with San Diego State. He was twice named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, and made the All-Mountain West Third Team this past season. Across 39 contests in 2022-23, the big man averaged 6.0 points on 52.1% shooting, 5.9 boards, and 1.6 blocks a night.
While guiding the Huskies to yet another NCAA title, Sanogo averaged 17.2 points on a .606/.365/.766 slash line, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.7 steals a night. He was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player for his efforts. A two-time All-Big East First Teamer, the 6'9" power forward could be a fascinating fit for an LA team that seemed to really unlock something leaning into its size during the postseason.
Burton, 23, has logged team with three programs. At Pitt, he was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2022-23, posting averages of career-best averages of 15.2 points on 48.8% shooting from the floor, 4.8 boards, 4.2 assists, and 0.9 steals a night.
Los Angeles possesses the Nos. 17 and 47 picks in this season's draft, and could also opt to bring in some of these prospects on two-way contracts next season, should the club decide to move on from Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider.
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