After workout with Knicks, Aaron Wiggins shines in G League Elite Camp

Maryland’s wingman Aaron Wiggins raised his Draft stock after an impressive stint in the NBA G League Elite Camp last weekend.

Wiggins was one of the unranked prospects who completed a workout with the New York Knicks ahead of the weekend’s camp.

Notably absent in most major outlet’s NBA Mock Draft, Wiggins certainly helped his case after averaging 13 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 59 percent shooting from the field, including 50 percent from 3-point range in just under 20 minutes in two scrimmage games.

Wiggins parlayed those impressive performances into an NBA Draft Combine invite to showcase his talent to a wider audience of NBA scouts and front-office executives.

The Knicks have four picks (19th, 21st, 32nd, and 58th) but it is unlikely that the team is eyeing him early in the Draft.

ESPN’s Draft analyst Jonathan Givony described Wiggins as a “Big wing-shooter who has good two-way versatility and nice upside to grow into.”

“[Wiggins] has the size, length, and frame and showed some things making shots in a variety of ways and doing other little things,” Givony added.

The Terrapins’ second-leading scorer was just one of the four prospects who advanced to the NBA Draft Combine. Joining him from the NBA G League Elite Camp are  Ohio State’s Duane Washington, South Carolina’s AJ Lawson, and Louisville’s Carlik Jones.

Wiggins was measured 6’4.5” without shoes and 6’5” with shoes, and 6’9.75” wingspan. He also recorded the fifth-highest vertical leap with a 36-inch leap.

During his junior season in Maryland, Wiggins averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31 games to earn All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He shot 36 percent of his 3s on 5.2 attempts. Wiggins finished the season strong, posting averages of 17.9 points and 6.6 rebounds over his last 12 games including a career-high 27 points in a second-round loss to Alabama in the NCAA tournament.

The other prospects who worked out with the Knicks — Texas Tech’s Mac McClung and Georgia Tech’s Jose Alvarado — also had a solid showing though they fell short of getting invited to the NBA Draft Combine.

McClung led all players in the vertical jump with a 43.5-inch leap and a 3/4 court sprint in just 2.935 seconds, the fastest time since 2001. He scored 11 and 12 points in the two scrimmages while shooting 45 percent from the field and connected on 3-of-6 3s.

Alvarado averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.

Sports Illustrated’s Draft analyst Jeremy Woo was impressed with Alvarado’s toughness.

“Jose Alvarado completely took over the fourth quarter of this first game at G League Camp. Biggest dog at this event. Great two days for him here,” he said.

Alvarado finished with 12 points and four assists in that game while shooting 50 percent from the field including 3-of-4 from deep. His team went 2-0.

Wiggins and Alvarado are still undecided and have until July 7 to make their decision whether to stay in the Draft or return to college. But Wiggins’ strong showing in the G League Elite Camp and if it continues in the Draft Combine might steer him to make the NBA jump now.

Aside from the Knicks, Wiggins also worked out with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and the Boston Celtics. He is eyeing at least three to four more workouts before July 7.

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