By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The perception among some NBA teams is that Travon Woodall lacks the athleticism to play point guard in the NBA.
Whether or not those teams are right regarding the 6-foot, 190-pound former University of Pittsburgh and St. Anthony High School floor general remains to be seen, but those perceptions don’t seem to be bothering him as he tries to make some progress on the NBA Draft workout circuit.
On Wednesday, Woodall worked out for the Nets at PNY Center, his second audition for an NBA squad. He previously worked out for the Wizards on June 4.
“I think I fought hard and yeah, some of those guys were bigger than me, but I’m a fighter, so I was gonna be out here competing with these guys regardless of their size,” Woodall told SNY.tv following the six-player workout where he was the shortest player by two inches. “It was a great opportunity, I just wanted to come out here and showcase my skills in front of maybe some people that watched me grow up, just like I watched this organization grow up.”
Woodall does not currently have any other workouts lined up with the draft 15 days away, but noted the feedback he received from the Wizards was positive.
“I got great feedback,” Woodall said. “They told me I shot the ball really well, they just want to see me be a little more shifty. I definitely know how to run a team, different offenses. I think I was able to fit in with what they’re trying to do and they liked that.”
While it is debatable as to whether or not Woodall can be an NBA point guard, one thing that is not debatable is his resume. After helping to quarterback the fabled 2008 St. Anthony squad to a 32-0 record and a mythical national championship, he played in 139 games for the Panthers, scoring 1,108 points to go along with 580 assists and 337 rebounds. His freshman season was cut short after 10 games due to a groin injury, for which he received a medical redshirt.
Nets second-year guard Tyshawn Taylor was among Woodall’s teammates on that 2008 St. Anthony team, which is looked at as one of the best Hall of Fame head coach Bob Hurley has produced. Woodall and Taylor remain close, which has led to Taylor offering some advice as Woodall tries to find his way.
“He just told me to take care of my body and to make sure I’m ready to go on an everyday basis,” Woodall said. “He’s like a brother to me, he basically is my brother. It’s definitely great to have a guy who’s been through this process and somebody to talk you through it. It really helps.”
No matter where he ends up, Woodall will become the fifth member of that six-man Class of 2008 to play professional basketball.
Taylor just finished his rookie season with the Nets, while Mike Rosario and Jio Fontan saw action in Baloncesto Superior Nacional, Puerto Rico’s professional league, this spring after exhausting their eligibility at Florida and USC, respectively. A fifth Friar from the Class of 2008, Alberto Estwick, finished up at Fordham in 2012 and also saw action in the BSN for the first time this spring.
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
Special to ZAGSBLOG
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The perception among some NBA teams is that Travon Woodall lacks the athleticism to play point guard in the NBA.
Whether or not those teams are right regarding the 6-foot, 190-pound former University of Pittsburgh and St. Anthony High School floor general remains to be seen, but those perceptions don’t seem to be bothering him as he tries to make some progress on the NBA Draft workout circuit.
On Wednesday, Woodall worked out for the Nets at PNY Center, his second audition for an NBA squad. He previously worked out for the Wizards on June 4.
“I think I fought hard and yeah, some of those guys were bigger than me, but I’m a fighter, so I was gonna be out here competing with these guys regardless of their size,” Woodall told SNY.tv following the six-player workout where he was the shortest player by two inches. “It was a great opportunity, I just wanted to come out here and showcase my skills in front of maybe some people that watched me grow up, just like I watched this organization grow up.”
Woodall does not currently have any other workouts lined up with the draft 15 days away, but noted the feedback he received from the Wizards was positive.
“I got great feedback,” Woodall said. “They told me I shot the ball really well, they just want to see me be a little more shifty. I definitely know how to run a team, different offenses. I think I was able to fit in with what they’re trying to do and they liked that.”
While it is debatable as to whether or not Woodall can be an NBA point guard, one thing that is not debatable is his resume. After helping to quarterback the fabled 2008 St. Anthony squad to a 32-0 record and a mythical national championship, he played in 139 games for the Panthers, scoring 1,108 points to go along with 580 assists and 337 rebounds. His freshman season was cut short after 10 games due to a groin injury, for which he received a medical redshirt.
Nets second-year guard Tyshawn Taylor was among Woodall’s teammates on that 2008 St. Anthony team, which is looked at as one of the best Hall of Fame head coach Bob Hurley has produced. Woodall and Taylor remain close, which has led to Taylor offering some advice as Woodall tries to find his way.
“He just told me to take care of my body and to make sure I’m ready to go on an everyday basis,” Woodall said. “He’s like a brother to me, he basically is my brother. It’s definitely great to have a guy who’s been through this process and somebody to talk you through it. It really helps.”
No matter where he ends up, Woodall will become the fifth member of that six-man Class of 2008 to play professional basketball.
Taylor just finished his rookie season with the Nets, while Mike Rosario and Jio Fontan saw action in Baloncesto Superior Nacional, Puerto Rico’s professional league, this spring after exhausting their eligibility at Florida and USC, respectively. A fifth Friar from the Class of 2008, Alberto Estwick, finished up at Fordham in 2012 and also saw action in the BSN for the first time this spring.
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
