Sixers Draft Workouts: June 14th

I'm several days late again, and I'm going to have to improve with the frequency of workouts picking up as we get closer and closer to draft day.

Pat Calathes SF 6'10 210 Senior St. Joseph's

It's nice of the Sixers to work out the local kid, but I don't know if he's going to cut it in the NBA. He's a good shooter, but he doesn't have the strength to handle NBA forwards. He did a great job with the Hawks after Nelson and West left, but the A10 is far from the competition he'll face in the pros. He probably won't get drafted, but he could get a shot in camp with the Sixers, and a foreign league will definitely come calling if he's interested.

Rob Ferguson F 6'8 230 Senior St. Joseph's

Calathes' St Joe's frontcourt mate gets a chance to stay in the city too, but like Calathes, he faces long odds. He's an okay shooter and can block shots, but he just doesn't seem to be in the NBA picture. At 6'8, he might be too short to play forward in the NBA, and he doesn't have the quickness to play G. He was a very good player in the Big Five, and he had a good college career.

Donte' Greene SF 6'9 221 Freshman Syracuse

Greene is one of a bunch of very good athletes that have taken the past couple drafts by storm. His stock is rising, and he's probably going to be taken in the mid first round. His versatility has scouts very high on him, but he needs to develop an aggressiveness in addition to his jump shot. If the Sixers are going to take him, he'll have to learn to love contact and draw it to get to the line. The shooting he can provide could plug up a hole for this team, and his shot blocking ability is a plus.

J.J. Hickson PF 6'9 242 Freshman NC State

Hickson's strong freshman year was kind of overlooked due to a mediocre Wolfpack team, but he has potential to become a very good player. The Sixers are no doubt interested in his ability to block shots, which is still a common theme among players they bring in to work out. Although he's already very strong and athletic, it could take him some time to get used to the NBA game. His post offense needs some work before he can become a true threat. He should be a late first round pick, and he might be a bit of a reach if the Sixers take him where they're at right now.

Nikita Shabalkin SF 6'9 210 1986 Russia

Color me unimpressed. I guess it doesn't hurt to take a look, but as a 1986 birth, his time is running out to come over to the NBA. You have to figure it'll take a bit to make the transition to the NBA, and although the Sixers were active in drafting internationally last year, I don't see it happening again. He's a hard worker who brings a lot of energy, but he doesn't have great measurables, and I'm not sure if he fits over here.

The Sixers bring in some more guys on June 17th. The draft is approaching...