Former UCLA basketball players Thomas Welsh and LiAngelo Ball had their day with the Los Angeles Lakers in pre-NBA Draft workouts.
The 2018 NBA Draft is fast approaching and for several former UCLA basketball players, they are looking to hear their name called, or at the very least, sign as undrafted free agents.
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Yesterday, two former Bruins, center Thomas Welsh and shooting guard LiAngelo Ball, presented their arguments to the Los Angeles Lakers as why they should select them in the upcoming draft (or sign them afterwards).
Welsh and Ball were among six players that had their workouts with the 17-time National Champions, which included Jaylen Adams (St. Bonaventure), Tyus Battle (Syracuse), Devon Hall (Virginia) and Dusan Ristic (Arizona).
🎥 Thomas Welsh talks about adding a 3-point shot to his game, and his experience preparing for the NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/pGHtxe3Vtp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1001577821871919104
Last year, the Lakers selected another former Bruin, Lonzo Ball, with the 2nd overall pick and it seemed to work well for them. The Lakers made improvements with the older Ball brother, who also made it onto the NBA All-Rookie Team. L.A. will also be looking to make some big moves in free agency, though that is a topic for another day.
As for adding youth, the Lakers had a lot to look at with Welsh and Ball.
Let us start with the young Ball brother. Coming out of Chino Hills High School, he was known as a good shooter and decent rebounder. With his big body, he is not afraid not get in traffic and put up a shot. He has to refine his skills, which could take some time, but for the most part, proved he could play with more talented players.
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After leaving UCLA mid-season (following a shoplifting incident in China), he went to play overseas in Lithuania with BC Vytautas where he averaged 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and had a shooting average of .425. He also battled through some minor injuries, yet that did not stop his overall production.
Welsh was a double-double machine last season. With a total of 18, the Bruin 7-footer was tied for 11th in the nation for most double-doubles, which is also what he averaged as he scored 12.6 ppg and grabbed 10.8 rpg.
In the last few years, Welsh has added a deadly feature to his arsenal… the outside shot. Not only does he have a killer mid-ranger, but he also increased his range as he shot .402 (45/112) from behind the three point line.
The thing Welsh needs to improve on is bulking up and getting stronger to be a more effective inside presence.
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Though we are still a month away from the 2018 NBA Draft, Welsh and Ball have plenty of time to improve their stock, with the Lakers, and other NBA teams. Right now, it seems that Aaron Holiday might be the only Bruin to actually be drafted, though there is still time for Welsh and Ball to link up with a pro team, even if it means playing in the NBA G-League for a season or two.