The Sixers' offense could use a boost, and University of Washington standout Terrence Ross believes he can provide it.
When the team and I first talked, they asked me, 'Do you know what our team needs? And I said shooter," Ross said after Thursday's workout for the Sixers. I think thats something they need help with and I think thats something I can help with.
Ross participated in a pre-draft workout at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for Sixers head coach Doug Collins, Presidentgeneral manager Rod Thorn, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Tony DiLeo and Director of Player Personnel Courtney Witte.
The other players at the workout were Baylor small forward Quincy Miller and Virginia power forward Mike Scott.
It seems like the Sixers are seriously interested in the 6-foot-7, 197-pound Ross, deemed by many as a mid-first round talent.
Considering how much the team struggled offensively in the postseason, it would make sense for the Sixers to select a sweet-stroking player like Ross with the 15th overall pick in the June 28 draft.
His shooting numbers are pretty good, Witte said. I wouldnt put him up there with a Reggie Miller obviously, but hes a shooter and hes a scorer.
NBA
I think hes a guy thats going to have a long-time NBA career. He has that kind of skill-set. Its only going to get better.
The 21-year-old Ross earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors as a sophomore last season after leading Washington in scoring (16.4 points per game) and blocks (33).
He's a very skilled, multi-dimensional type of player who can play both ends of the floor, Witte said.
With prototypical size for an NBA two-guard, Ross can shoot with range and has a quick enough first step to get to the basket.
And although he may need to improve in some areasI think I need to get my ball-handling a little tighter and get a little stronger and bigger, Ross saidhe is confident he could help fix the Sixers shooting woes.
I think I could provide some shooting ability, some threes, some mid-range, some pull-ups, he said. You have Andre Iguodala going to the basket. You have Jrue Holiday running the point. You have Spencer Hawes down low. I think it would be a perfect fit.
A native of Portland, Ore., Ross is friendly with Hawes, who played for the Huskies in 2006-07.
I know Spencer very well, Ross said. We went to the same college. He comes back in the summers. Especially in the lockout last year, he was around a lot. So, I got to hang out with him a lot.
Ross connection to Hawes could be one reason the guard is so excited about the possibility of playing in Philly. The Sixers' recent success is undoubtedly another.
Three years ago, they werent really in the playoffs, Ross said. If they were, they were getting knocked out in the first round.
This year they surprised a lot of people, got past the first round and even took it far in the second round. So, I just think this is an up-and-coming team in the East and I think they can be a deadly force to be reckoned with.
Especially considering their coach.
Collins is a great coach, Ross said. "Hes really easy to talk to. Hes somebody I would like to play for.