Auburn’s Tyler Harris, Cinmeon Bowers NBA Draft workouts
AUBURN, Ala. (auburntigers.com) – Auburn’s Tyler Harris and Cinmeon Bowers have been participating in NBA pre-Draft workouts for the past month in preparation for Thursday’s NBA Draft on ESPN at 6:30 pm C.T.
Harris will have visited with 10 teams. The Dix Hills, N.Y., native has already worked out with the Bulls, Lakers, Pistons, Magic, Jazz, Wizards, Kings and Raptors. He will practice with the Warriors on Tuesday and Knicks on Wednesday.
“I bring versatility that every NBA team needs,” said Harris. “I can handle the ball like a guard. I can pass and shoot outside from off the dribble. I’m a great scorer, defender and rebounder. I’m a lefty, so I’m really crafty. I can get to the rim and score for myself or create scoring opportunities for others.”
Harris ranked 19th in the SEC averaging 13.9 points, ranked ninth in the SEC with 7.7 rebounds and sixth in offensive rebounds with 2.8. He had eight double-doubles, tying for fourth in the league.
He finished with 1,196 points in his career. He had 23 points and 12 rebounds vs. Colorado, 21 points on 3-of-3 3-pointers and 11 rebounds in the win vs. No. 13 Kentucky, 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win at Coastal Carolina and 19 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds in the win vs. Tennessee in his SEC debut.
“I need to continue to work on my right hand and going right,” Harris said. “I also need to focus on the speed of the league. It’s going to be a lot different from college, and I will need to continue to work on my shot and get used to the NBA 3-point line. I want my shot to be consistent where I’m knocking it down consistently and on a regular basis. There’s so many great shooters in the league right now. I just want to be one of those guys.”
Harris’ older brother, Tobias, plays with the Detroit Pistons and will be entering his sixth NBA season and signed a four-year, $64 million contract prior to last season.
Bowers will work out for the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, earning his invite with help from Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl.
“I have been training and staying focused, working in the gym every day on my shot and my conditioning and my mid-range game,” said Bowers from his home in Racine, Wis. “I’ve been staying the course. I am just grateful for the opportunity that I get to work out for the Milwaukee Bucks. I appreciate BP putting in a good word for me when he talked to the owners. I appreciate that very much.”
Bowers is excited about his opportunity.
“I feel great. It is just a normal day in the lab,” said Bowers. “I’m very thankful for being able to work out for the Bucks. It is something that I have dreamed about. I have always wanted to be a part of a NBA team.”
Bowers just missed averaging a double-double for the second consecutive season with 10.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2015-16 and 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2014-15. He ranked second in the SEC in rebounding both years.
He had 28 career double-doubles, 14 each year, ranking third in the SEC as a junior and fourth in the league as a senior.
“It would be great if I could make an NBA roster,” said Bowers. “If not, I will take my talents overseas and work my way into the NBA. If the NBA doesn’t happen, I want to just keep making money overseas.”
Playing center, power forward and point guard this past season, the Racine, Wis., native had a career-high tying 20 points and 18 rebounds in the win vs. Alabama and 19 points and 19 rebounds at NCAA Tournament participant, Middle Tennessee.
