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UCF’s Dawkins relishes chance to work out for Magic, other NBA teams
Former UCF shooting guard Aubrey Dawkins said you only get drafted once and he’s soaking up as much of the NBA predraft workout process as he can.
Whether or not his name is called June 20 during the NBA Draft is unimportant at this point in what Dawkins sees as a “journey.”
“I’ve loved every second of it. I’m appreciative of it all. It’s a blessing. It’s a dream come true,” he said. “So I’m enjoying it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can’t get drafted more than once. This opportunity is something that’s truly special and there should be no negative feelings about it.”
Dawkins was one of six players who took part in a pre-draft workout session Wednesday with the Orlando Magic.
Iowa State shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker, UF shooting guard Jalen Hudson, Eastern Kentucky forward Nick Mayo, Wichita State forward Markis McDuffie and Northwestern power forward Dererk Pardon also participated.
Known for his ability to shoot and defend, the 6-foot-6 Dawkins said his strengths fit what NBA teams are looking for in potential draft picks.
“Shooting the ball and just playing defense,” he said. “Those two things right now are really big in the NBA, especially coming in as a wing player. Those two things you need to be able to do, so for me
that’s what I wanted to emphasize and show that I can do consistently, and the rest will fall into place.”
Dawkins certainly showed off his shooting skills in his final collegiate game. He scored a career-high 32 points in UCF’s 77-76 second-round loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
Being able to play well in big games is something Dawkins takes pride in.
“It’s nice to be able to show up to the moment. That’s not a thing everybody can always do. So if you can do that and you have the ability to do that, that’s a big thing,” he said.
“We all want to play in meaningful games. We all want to show up in meaningful games, so that’s big.”
Dawkins averaged 15.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 46.3 percent overall and 40.3 percent from the 3-point line last season for UCF.
His proximity to the Magic helped Dawkins develop a level of fandom. He said he attended games last season, including one of the first-round playoff conOne
“I feel like it [Orlando] would be a great team for me.”
—UCF’s Aubrey Dawkins
tests against the Raptors.
“I love the Magic,” he said. “I’d love to be a part of the team. I think I could bring some things to the team to help them.”
Dawkins has worked out for the Raptors, Jazz, Celtics, Hawks, Kings, Pelicans, Knicks and Wizards, and has workouts scheduled with the Rockets, Mavericks and Hornets.
Horton-Tucker, meanwhile, is projected as a mid-secondround pick, and the Magic have been linked to him in some mock drafts.
The 6-foot-4 Horton-Tucker averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 40.6 percent from the field last season as a freshman at Iowa State.
Horton-Tucker is one of the youngest players in the draft class at 18, and he won’t turn 19 until November. Scouts like his potential as a two-day player, especially his strength, length (7-foot wingspan) and his ability to defend multiple positions. scout describes HortonTucker as “a strong-bodied guard with a great deal of potential.”
“I feel like my length and my defensive instincts — you know, my basketball IQ — help me [defensively],” he said.
Horton-Tucker said Wednesday’s workout gave him a chance to show that he can play either guard spot.
“Any team that hopefully picks me I’m going to come in and fill any role they want me to,” he said. “I feel like it [Orlando] would be a great team for me.”
Horton-Tucker also has worked out with Pacers, Celtics, Pistons, Warriors and Thunder.
After a breakout junior season (15.5 ppg, 40.4 3-point shooting), Hudson saw his stat levels drop off as a senior (9.3 ppg, 28.0 3-point shooting). So he’s making the most of his pre-draft workouts.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I know I can play very well and play at this level and make an impact,” he said. “So just use these workouts to try to show that I can really be a great player and really contribute to any team that I can be a part of.”