There was the grandson of a famous and controversial leader. A brother of a former first rounder. A projected first-round pick. Two guys who played locally. And a tall Frenchman.
That was the crop that worked out for the Nets on Monday, the final group of scheduled NBA Draft hopefuls.
And through it all, Nets GM Billy King maintained the same mantra he has provided.
“You guys keep going around and about. I keep giving you the same answer,” said King, who was presented with a few more “What if the greatest point guard ever is available and you want a big?” or “What if a meteor strikes Earth?” scenarios.
“We’re going to take the best player that’s available.”
That’s what he said he’d do at No. 27 in the first round and No. 36 on the second all along.
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St. John’s guard Dwight Hardy, who has worked out in France, attended his first NBA session and was thrilled with the mere opportunity.
“I didn’t get a chance to work out for as many teams as I’d like, but to be able to work out and show your skills in front of an organization is a dream come true,” said Hardy, a 6-foot, 2-inch Bronx product.
“I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity. It’s a local team coming to Brooklyn; if I got picked by this team, I’d be back playing in New York, like being at St. John’s.”
Also familiar with the area was 6-10 Hofstra senior Greg Washington, who battled with 6-11 Bangaly Fofana of Paris, France.
“They competed and played hard. That’s the one thing coach (Avery Johnson) and I were talking about: A lot of things they do on the court confirmed it. They played hard,” King said.
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The highest rated prospect on the mock draft boards in the session was Georgia guard Travis Leslie, who appears as a late first rounder.
“Very athletic. And has got a strong body – really, really strong,” King said approvingly.
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One guy who may have had a better idea about what to expect going in was Notre Dame’s Ben Hansbrough, who drew info and a scouting report on what to expect from his Indiana Pacers brother, Tyler, who went through the process two years ago and was the guy Rod Thorn was said to favor before the Nets grabbed Terrence Williams.
“Tyler’s been a great influence on me. He continues to tell me, ‘Bring your intensity,’” said Hansbrough, who has been bothered by a sprained ankle in recent workouts.
He claimed he felt fine Monday.
“This is the best it’s felt in a long time. I felt I was able to move around more than I wanted to. I think it’s healing up and this was the best workout I had so far as far as mobility-wise and quickness-wise,” he said.
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The most recognizable name was Mustapha Farrakhan of Virginia, grandson of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
The athletic 6-4 guard has been showing there is a lot in the package, not just a famous name.
“I’ve had this my whole life. I’m kind of used to it. I accept who I am and love my family to death. I just come out and compete and let people see me as that,” he said.
