O.D. Anosike

[CelticConcourse]

 
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Siena forward O.D. Anosike went through his first NBA pre-draft workout on Thursday, and after it was over, he heard encouraging words.

"One of the scouts told me I look good in Boston Celtics gear," Anosike said.

He hopes that's the case this summer. If not Boston, any NBA destination will do.

The Celtics brought Anosike, who is a two-time NCAA rebounding champion, and five other college players into their practice facility in Waltham, Mass., to size them up in advance of the June 27 draft.

"It's definitely an exciting time," Anosike said. "It's something I've been working toward for basically my whole career. Teams are only bringing you in if they have serious interest in you."

While Anosike doesn't expect to be taken in the draft, he's trying to show enough to join an NBA summer-league team and get an invitation to a training camp in the fall.

"I'm optimistic, but at the same time, I'm realistic," Anosike said.

First, the Celtics measured Anosike's height (6-foot-7 without shoes), weight (243 pounds) and wingspan (7-foot-4), along with his body fat and vertical leap.

He and the other players worked out for about an hour, went through shooting drills and then did conditioning.

Anosike was accompanied by better-known prospects such as Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr. and Georgia Tech's Glen Rice Jr., both sons of former NBA stars.

Anosike went one-on-one against Illinois State's Jackie Carmichael, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 17.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season.

"He's a really good player," Anosike said. "He's really physical. He's got a skill set with him. I just went in there and did my best. I think I got the best of him."

Anosike and the others were watched by Celtics assistant coaches, scouts and director of player personnel Austin Ainge.

Head coach Doc Rivers wasn't present at the workout because he was traveling back from an NBA meeting, according to an ESPN report. Anosike said he didn't think Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, Austin's father, was in attendance, either.

Rebounding was Anosike's calling card at Siena. He averaged 12.5 per game as a junior and 11.4 as a senior, both tops in Division I.

However, he wanted to show the Celtics he had other talents.

"I just think for me right now, they're looking at me as a rebounder," Anosike said. "I just went in there and tried to show some of my skills that are a little underrated, like my ballhandling, my guard skills, and my shooting. I think they were pleasantly surprised."

Anosike said he may have been overlooked by NBA teams because of Siena's 8-24 record this season.

Anosike returned to Washington, D.C., where he's training under the supervision of his agent, Michael Lelchitski. They're planning to set up more NBA workouts in the next 10 days.

"I'm looking forward to the whole process," Anosike said.

Two time NCAA rebounding champ. Seems like a smart guy.

He better get a training camp invite. I'm curious.

[CFAN38]

I would agree that this kid is worth giving a shot in summer league. He has a chance at being Reggie Evans 2.0. Like Evans he doesnt have super height for the position but they both make up for it in the ever important standing reach. Evans = 8'11.5 Anosike = 9'.

With his limited offense it will be tough for O.D to earn a roster spot but much like Evans he could put up big RB numbers if given the minutes. If not on an NBA roster next year I expect O.D to lead the D-League in rebounding.

[fitzhickey]

im interested in the kid
can clearly rebound, but that he showed of some of his other skills makes me intrigued as to what kind of player he could be. like if he developed some killer outside jump shot, along to go with that kind of rebounding
that equals a deadly player

[slamtheking]

definitely worth an invite for summer league.  couldn't hurt.  not likely to make the club but who knows.