No time to rest for McClinton as NBA draft looms

CORAL GABLES - Jack McClinton seems in a hurry.

An interview starts 10 minutes later than expected, throwing off his schedule. He answers each question thoughtfully in the Miami basketball office, but he's clearly in a rush to begin his midday workout in preparation for this month's NBA Draft.

He bolts from the room at the conclusion, even before the "stop" button on the recorder can be pushed. Despite the college accolades and interest from general managers, McClinton in many ways remains the same kid who has been doubted throughout his life. He still practices the most, still has midnight shooting sessions with anyone willing to grab rebounds.

"I've done this my whole life," McClinton said. "I've always done it. That's the type of person I am. I want to be perfect. I know you can't be perfect, but you can keep preparing yourself. Be prepared or prepare to fail. That's how I look at it."

When will it change?

He says never. No matter if five years from now he's made it in the NBA or struggling to find a roster spot.

"It would probably take me breaking both of my legs ... knock on wood," McClinton said. "That's the thing. Those are the great ones. Look at Kobe Bryant. He never stops working. Once you stop working and become complacent, you become just like everybody else."

McClinton went from being unwanted out of high school to a two-time first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference player. His next obstacle is convincing scouts he can play point guard after being a primary scorer at UM.

At 6 feet 2, he is considered undersized to play shooting guard. His dribbling and playmaking ability were concerns during college. McClinton says the NBA features few point guards who serve as the team's primary ball-handler.

"If you think about the NBA, there's only about six or seven great point guards," said McClinton, who has drawn comparisons to Eddie House of the Boston Celtics. "You got Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups. But all the rest are guys who just don't get rattled bringing the ball up the court. They get the team in the offense, and they cut through and knock down the open shot if possible. It's not too many guys who are going to be out there creating. I know I can do that."

McClinton took some criticism when he decided to skip the Portsmouth Invitational in April, preferring to conduct individual workouts for teams. The camp often allows players considered to be borderline prospects to improve their stock.

"It's a huge mistake," assistant director of NBA scouting Ryan Blake said at the time. "He's probably got an agent that said he could get [him] an individual workout ... It would help him to get three games against the top seniors. What's going to happen if he doesn't get drafted?"

Jack McClinton Sr. said the choice was made so his son could heal from a late-season knee injury.

"People's opinions are going to vary," McClinton Sr. said.

"We just basically made a decision based on where he [was] physically and mentally. We're taking good advice. I think we're going to be OK."

McClinton has fully recovered from the injury, and the move has been beneficial.

He's worked out for at least eight NBA teams and had a strong showing at the predraft camp in Chicago. According DraftExpress.com, the New York Knicks are strongly considering trading for a late first-round pick with plans of drafting McClinton.

"I'm hearing a lot of late-first, early-second [round] talk," McClinton said. "Anywhere from [No.] 22 to 60. I've worked so hard. Even you're in the second round, you can still work and get a spot. I love to work. I'll do what I got to do to get there."



(sun-sentinel.com)