Tyler Harris and Cinmeon Bowers of Auburn men’s basketball have been participating in NBA pre-Draft workouts for the past month in preparation for the NBA Draft on Thursday.
Dix Hills, New York native Harris has already worked out with eight teams, and will have visited a total of 10 teams by draft day. The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks are the last two teams Harris will work out with on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
“I bring versatility that every NBA team needs,” said Harris. “I can handle the ball like a guard. I can pass and shoot outside from off the dribble. I’m a great scorer, defender and rebounder.”
Harris ranked 19th in the SEC averaging 13.9 points, ranked ninth in the SEC with 7.7 rebounds and sixth in offensive rebounds with 2.8. He had eight double-doubles, tying for fourth in the league.
He finished his collegiate career with 1,196 points.
“I’m a lefty, so I’m really crafty. I can get to the rim and score for myself or create scoring opportunities for others,” Harris said. “I need to continue to work on my right hand and going right,” Harris said. “I also need to focus on the speed of the league… There’s so many great shooters in the league right now. I just want to be one of those guys.”
Harris’ older brother, Tobias, plays with the Detroit Pistons and will be entering his sixth NBA season and signed a four-year, $64 million contract prior to last season.
Bowers will work out for the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, earning his invite with help from Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl.
“I have been training and staying focused, working in the gym every day on my shot and my conditioning and my mid-range game,” said Bowers. “I’ve been staying the course. I am just grateful for the opportunity that I get to work out for the Milwaukee Bucks. I appreciate (Bruce Pearl) putting in a good word for me when he talked to the owners. I appreciate that very much.”
Bowers just missed averaging a double-double for the second consecutive season with 10.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2015-16 and 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2014-15. He ranked second in the SEC in rebounding both years.
He had 28 career double-doubles, 14 each year, ranking third in the SEC as a junior and fourth in the league as a senior.
“It would be great if I could make an NBA roster,” said Bowers. “If not, I will take my talents overseas and work my way into the NBA. If the NBA doesn’t happen, I want to just keep making money overseas.”
The NBA Draft will begin Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CST and can be viewed on ESPN.
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