Clippers NBA Draft: Jaron Blossomgame fighting for 1st round
By Tom West
Jaron Blossomgame is widely projected as a late second round prospect in the 2016 NBA Draft, leaving him to do all he can to impress teams like the Los Angeles Clippers to show he’s worthy of a higher pick — maybe in the first round.
The Los Angeles Clippers ramped up their workouts in preparation for the 2016 NBA Draft this week, looking at six new players, featuring a combination of point guards and forwards (which you can read about here). The latter should still be the primary focus, though, with a new wing being the top target for the Clippers’ first pick in the draft (25th overall).
On Wednesday, May 18, the Clippers workouts included the type of wing that should fit the description for that 25th pick — Jaron Blossomgame.
His talent and general projections have him falling well into the second round and that seems perfectly apt right now, but he may be worth Doc Rivers’ interest in the second round (with the 33rd pick) depending on who’s taken in the first and who’s still available.
Blossomgame, a 6’7″ small forward, with a 6’10” wingspan and 41-inch vertical (the 5th best among all players at the combine), is approaching his draft workouts with the right attitude. He wants to prove himself after his best year at Clemson yet, averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, to show that he’s the kind of wing who can hold value in the 2016 NBA Draft as talented perimeter players are more sought after than ever before.
More from Clipperholics
- Grade the trade: Clippers shockingly land Trae Young in wild proposal
- 3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers’ roster
- Trading for this player covers the Clippers’ biggest weakness
- How will the LA Clippers fare in the in-season tournament?
- Why the LA Clippers should steer clear of recent gold medalist waiver
In an age where small-ball and perimeter shooting is so vital, and elite 3-and-D wings are some of the hottest commodities around, Blossomgame’s performance in college suits the profile. His physical attributes already indicate the defensive potential, while his excellent efficiency overall (51.3 field goal percentage), stellar 44.1 percent three-point shot, and solid explosion to attack the rim indicate why the Clippers were interested enough to give him a workout.
However, with experts such as DraftExpress not projecting Blossomgame to go higher than the 51st pick, it’s clear why he’s hesitant about entering the draft. By May 25, he’ll need to decide whether he wants an agent to pursue the NBA or opt out and return to Clemson. Right now, he’s expressed that the latter will be the case if he doesn’t secure the standing as a top 35-40 pick.
As he keeps fighting for a shot in the NBA for this year, he’s searching for as many ounces of information about his draft chances as possible.
“I’m trying to figure out what teams think of me and where I’m projected,” Blossomgame said after his Clippers workout to the Orange County Register’s Dan Woike. “If it’s not where I think I should be, I’ll come back to school to prove myself… People might say different things but getting a good variety of people, I think that would be the best way I could get the most accurate feedback.”
Blossomgame’s performances in combine scrimmages have thoroughly helped his draft stock beyond the impressive athletic measures, too, as Dan Hope of the Independent Mail has discussed:
"Between his two games combined, Blossomgame scored 27 points, which tied for the eighth-most among scrimmage participants, and notched 15 rebounds, the fourth-most among scrimmage participants.Altogether, Blossomgame was one of five players who improved their NBA draft stocks most at the combine, according to an assessment for USA TODAY Sports by draft analyst Derek Bodner."
So far, with such an impressive vertical, great length for a wing, a smooth, efficient three-point shot, and the potential to defend two and threes at the perimeter, Jaron Blossomgame is doing all he can to make a push for the first round. Unless he does something special, though, the mid second round looks more likely. If that’s the case or he slips to the 50’s, expect him to head back to college to hone his skills for another year, as he’s made it known that he won’t pursue the NBA if he’s only valued as a late second rounder.
Next: Why a Blake Griffin-Carmelo Anthony trade won't happen
Blossomgame certainly has intrigue, but with exciting names like Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry for the Clippers to look out for with their 25th pick and possibly a combo big at 33, the Clemson wing may not be the right choice for them. But if he keeps helping himself so much in workouts, he may do enough to break into the top 40 or maybe even the first round elsewhere.