Phoenix Suns: Draft Workouts Day 6 Recap

Kevon Looney

Portis was not the only impressive stretch-four on the floor Tuesday, however, as Kevon Looney provided him with a great individual matchup. A freshman coming out of UCLA, Looney is another versatile forward who uses his length to attack the offensive boards and an improving three-point shot to spread the floor on the other end.

At 6’9″, 222 pounds, Looney is not quite the same imposing physical specimen that Portis is, but his ability to play the 3 or the 4, not to mention his toughness in spite of his wiry frame, makes him another potential option for the Suns at No. 13. Looney’s length, youth, athleticism and rebounding ability are what make him stand out.

“I think it’s something that you’ve got to be good at and I’ve got the gifts to be good at that,” Looney said of his rebounding. “A lot of rebounders that were good in college are good in the NBA like Kenneth Faried and Paul Millsap and guys like that. They transferred it over the NBA and I think I’m one of those guys too.”

In his one season with the Bruins, Looney averaged 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.5 percent from three-point range. He’s a bit raw at 19 years old, but he shot 9-for-20 in the first three-point shooting drill, is a good ball handler for his size and could be a swing-for-the-fences type pick based on his ceiling.

“I would love to play for the Suns,” he said. “It’s a great city, a great fan base, great team last year that almost had a chance to make the playoffs, I think I can come in and make an impact. I think they might need some athletic bigs that are long and I think I can come in and help that.”

Next: Pat Connaughton