Kansas University men’s basketball players Kenny Gregory and Eric Chenowith might have something big to celebrate on NBA draft day.
Then again, they might not.
“It will be interesting to see how it shakes out for the two of them. I think they both are ‘first-round marginal’ type players,” says former KU forward/current Denver Nuggets scout Mark Randall. “If the right team likes them, there’s no question they could both be taken in the first round.”
“If” is the key word in that equation.
Some NBA teams, who sent scouts to the Jayhawks’ games this past season, already may have their minds made up on the 6-foot-5 Gregory and 7-1 Chenowith.
Most teams, however, more than likely are waiting to see how the two Jayhawks perform at this week’s Desert Classic for NBA prospects in Phoenix and/or the Chicago draft camp in June before finalizing their opinions.
The Classic runs today through Saturday at the Suns’ practice facility. The NBA draft is June 27 in New York.
“I’ve been watching them forever. I love ’em both. I think they are great players,” Randall said of Gregory and Chenowith, who will spend this week both practicing and playing in camp exhibition games. “Eric is a big guy with skills, no question about it. People question how he comes and goes all the time. (But) no question he has skills he can develop at this level. He’s a skilled 7-footer, and skilled 7-footers usually find their way into the NBA.”
Chenowith averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 boards this past season. He hit 45.7 percent of his shots and 68.4 percent of his free throws.
“I have a personal interest in Eric,” Randall said. “When Eric first came in to KU, the summer before his freshman year, he played against me in pick-up games. I’ve seen him grow from that point on.
“He can run the floor, and a premium is put on that in this league.”
Gregory averaged 15.6 points and 7.3 boards last season. He hit 56.7 percent of his floor shots, but just 42.4 percent of his free throws.
“I love his toughness, his defensive ability. He’s athletic. He finishes,” Randall said. “His shot has been sporadic throughout his career, but he’s shown the ability to hit big shots in big games. I can remember at Missouri this year he hit some huge shots in that game. They lost, but he kept them in the game with his shooting. He really has good size for a two-guard.”
Gregory is a career 53.3-percent shooter and a 43.8-percent free thrower.
“If teams only judged players on free throws, Shaq wouldn’t be in the league,” Randall said of Shaquille O’Neal.
Randall said the two Jayhawks could be hurt by all the high schoolers and underclassmen entered in draft. So far, 23 have declared.
“A lot more could still come out,” Randall said. “That doesn’t help the case of guys expected to go late first or second round.”
That’s why Gregory and Chenowith need to excel at the Phoenix camp and during individual workouts for NBA teams.
“They can improve a lot, without any question,” Randall said. “This week the guys will practice and play every day from 6 to 11 (p.m.). The first day or two are all practices, then they play games the rest of the time. To play well is a great way to improve one’s draft status.
“I go in this with kind of a two-sided brain,” Randall added. “I know these kids are trying their best and trying to improve. I take in consideration these types of situations are an all-star game type thing. Big guys like Eric aren’t going to touch the ball much.
“I like the fact these (40 invited) kids come in all fighting for their draft status. It’s a way to see them against better competition than in an individual college game.”
Randall said he attended three KU games in person and “a handful on TV.”
“A lot of scouts base decisions on the last time they saw a player,” Randall said. “If Kenny and Eric play well, no question that last impression could stick in some minds. I don’t think they have to play great to be first-rounders. They can still be that. It’s a good idea to play well whenever you get the opportunity and this is an opportunity for the two of them.”
