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Memphis Grizzlies Hold Pre-Draft Workout with Hollis-Jefferson

By Christian Dudley

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Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) dribbles the basketball against Ohio State Buckeyes guard Shannon Scott (3) during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As the Memphis Grizzlies conduct more pre-Draft workouts, more insight into the 25th overall pick becomes available.

It seems as if NBA hopeful Rondae Hollis-Jefferson remains at the top of the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA Draft wish list, assuming some of the top-tier guys do not fall completely out of the lottery and slip into reach for the Grizz.

Cam Rose from ‘901 Grizz’ has been covering some of the Grizzlies’ NBA Draft news and speculations and tweeted the following bit of information:

As of right now, NBADraft.Net predicts Hollis-Jefferson to be selected at pick No. 20 overall while DraftExpress thinks he will be taken by No. 22 overall.

The problem? The Memphis Grizzlies own only the No. 25 overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft.

There are always players that fall in every NBA Draft, while there are also players that seem to be taken too early. Could the Memphis Grizzlies get their guy? Or is this another case of smoke signals and the Grizz really just have their eyes set on Dakari Johnson, Robert Upshaw, or some other intriguing prospect?

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) and the bench react following the 85-78 loss against Wisconsin Badgers in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

It is still too early to tell exactly and we, Grizz Nation, may not know until the final minutes leading up to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver walking up to the podium to announce the 25th pick.

On Sunday, June 14th, 2015, the Memphis Grizzlies had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in for a pre-Draft workout. He is a 6’7″ (215 pounds) forward that I believe can help the Grizz at the small forward position immediately, regardless of what current Grizzly Jeff Green decides with his player option this offseason.

Thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies and their Twitter Account, here is a video to an interview with Grizz General Manager Chris Wallace and highlights of Sunday’s pre-Draft workout with Hollis-Jefferson and others.

In two seasons at the University of Arizona, Hollis-Jefferson averaged a combined 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and nearly one steal and one block per game (an average of 27.0 minutes per game). Although he may be physically ready for the NBA, he will still need to work on his outside shot (20.7% from deep last season on 29 attempts).

The 2015 NBA Draft can be seen on ESPN on June 25th.

Would you welcome a Draft selection by the Grizz in favor of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? Let us know your thoughts, Grizz Nation!

Stay locked on Beale Street Bears for the latest 2015 NBA Draft speculation regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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