The best NBA prospect in the building Thursday didn’t even take part in drills.
But that fits with the uncertain status of the Wizards — who don’t have a permanent general manager with the draft about two weeks away.
With interim GM Tommy Sheppard courtside, the Wizards hosted several college veterans — including former Georgetown guard Tre Campbell — in a pre-draft workout at the MedStar Wizards Performance Center in Southeast Washington, their fourth workout in as many days.
LSU guard Tremont Waters interviewed with Wizards officials, but declined to participate on the court. The 5-foot-11 guard, who came out after his sophomore season, injured his ankle at the NBA Combine less than three weeks ago.
Waters was not fazed when answering questions from an organization that has not named a successor to Ernie Grunfeld, who was let go in early April after 16 years as general manager.
“I am just going in (to interviews) with open eyes. God will take care of the rest,” Waters said. “Everyone knows how I play.”
That certainly includes the Maryland Terrapins, who lost to LSU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March when Waters hit the game-winning shot with less than two seconds left.
Waters said he heard comments from some local hoop followers on Thursday during the pre-draft workout.
“I know why they are upset,” he said.
Waters, who averaged 15.3 points for LSU last season, nearly played in college in the area. He originally committed to Georgetown, before being granted his release from his letter of intent after longtime coach John Thompson III was fired.
Waters plans to head to Florida for rehab and hopes to meet with at least two other NBA teams before the draft. He has been projected to go No. 56 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in a mock draft by nbadraftroom.com.
The players who took part in the workout were Campbell, who played one season at South Carolina; Duke junior center Marques Bolden; Houston junior guard Armoni Brooks; Buffalo senior forward Nick Perkins; Kansas senior guard LaGerald Vick; and Matur Maker, who is from Australia.
Campbell went to St. John’s College High School and played three seasons at Georgetown before transferring to South Carolina. He grew up in the District, though his family moved to Woodbridge, Virginia, when he was a boy.
“It felt good. This is my first (NBA) workout,” Campbell said. “I saw some familiar faces, guys I worked out with before. You just have to bring it every time. You never know when it is going to be your last time; you never know when it is going to end.”
Campbell played at Capital One Arena when he was with the Hoyas. Bolden is also familiar with the Hoyas’ home after his Duke team beat Virginia Tech before losing to Michigan State in the East Regionals last March.
Bolden played in 35 games and averaged 19.0 minutes, 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest last season with the Blue Devils. He said the hype around former teammate Zion Williamson was deserved and also toughened up his ability to dismiss outside distractions.
Perhaps the most intriguing story at the Wizards’ workout belonged to the 6-foot-11 Maker, who has roots in South Sudan and grew up in Australia. His brother, Thon, has played for Milwaukee and Detroit in the NBA.
“I think the biggest thing he told me is to be myself,” Maker said. “Do your homework. Right now I am just concentrating on defense. I love playing defense. Right now I am a lockdown defender.”
Matur Maker spent this past season playing in hoop-crazy Slovenia and Switzerland, averaging 11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 21 games in Europe. He said he believes his offense will come around in due time. The Wizards could certainly use a big presence inside.
The Wizards have the No. 9 overall pick when the NBA draft is held June 21 in Brooklyn, New York. They do not currently hold a second-round pick, but they have worked out a number of prospects who are either projected to be picked in the second round or go undrafted.
The following players are scheduled to attend Friday’s pre-draft workout: LSU forward Kavell Bigby-Williams; Nevada forward Jordan Caroline; Central Florida forward Aubrey Dawkins; Australian guard William McDowell-White; Virginia Tech guard Justin Robinson; and Clemson forward Elijah Thomas.
Robinson is from Manassas, Virginia, and returned to the Hokies for the NCAA Tournament after he was injured during regular-season play. Dawkins is the son of Johnny Dawkins, a native of the District, former Duke player and the head coach at Central Florida.
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