Jack McClinton impresses Miami Heat in workout

Intent on making a big impression during Wednesday's predraft workout for the Miami Heat, former University of Miami star Jack McClinton did all of his homework.

He attended Heat games after his senior season ended.

He got advice from Heat forward Dorell Wright, a close friend and neighbor.

He even arrived an hour early for his session at AmericanAirlines Arena in front of Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and the franchise's front office staff.

''I got here a little early and I wanted to come up and shoot,'' said McClinton, a 6-1 guard who set an ACC career record by shooting 44 percent from three-point range. ``Look, man. If Riley sees you up here and nobody [else] -- it was a good experience.''

It was tough to tell which impressed the Heat most: the eagerness McClinton had to arrive early, or the shooting display he put on late.

McClinton closed out the final drill of Wednesday's session by making 40 of 50 mid-range jumpers. He then sank 36 of 50 from NBA three-point range during the drills that were open to the media.

But what might ultimately decide his fate at the June 25 NBA Draft is how well he did behind closed doors.

HE CAN SHOOT, BUT . . .
The Heat -- like many other potential NBA suitors -- is well aware of McClinton's propensity to put the ball in the basket. But what the undersized shooting guard needed to show to improve his stock was the ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays.

History suggests the Heat might be inclined to give McClinton a serious look if he's available in the middle-to-late stages of the second round, where, barring a trade, Miami owns picks No. 43 and No. 60. He could also be an option as an undrafted free agent.

The Heat has had several former Hurricanes in training camp or on its roster since Riley arrived in 1995.
Because of his size, scoring ability and concerns about ball-handling, McClinton has been compared to ex-UM guard Robert Hite, who went undrafted and was with the Heat for the 2006-07 season.

McClinton, a first-team All-ACC pick the past two seasons at UM, could be selected as high as late in the first round, or he could fall completely off the board, according to mock drafts.

Those all-over-the-map projections have McClinton taking an all-over-the-country approach with his workout itinerary. McClinton estimates he has worked out for as many as 15 teams, and will travel Thursday to Cleveland and Saturday to Phoenix.

''My range is so far -- I'd work out for 15 more teams if I could,'' McClinton said. ``I'm approaching this like I'm the 500th pick in the draft with something to prove. [Teams] know I can shoot the ball. They want to see if I can put the ball on the ground. I've really been showing that.''

McClinton ran several of the Heat's basic schemes during two-on-two scrimmage sessions that also included Connecticut guard A.J. Price, UCLA forward Alfred Aboya and LSU forward Chris Johnson. McClinton and Price primarily ran pick-and-roll sets.

''He's definitely a pure shooter, so there's always a spot for a guy like him in the NBA,'' Price said after facing McClinton. ``Regardless of his size, he's able to make shots.''

SPOELSTRA'S ADVICE
Spoelstra spent time with McClinton after the workout and offered some adjustments he might need to make to get his shot off at the next level.

''Too much can be overstated about these draft workouts,'' Spoelstra said of the process in general. ``If it's two-on-two or three-on-three, anybody can have a great or a bad day. What you want to see is an NBA skill.''

McClinton's mission leading to draft night is to show the league he has NBA skill -- and then some.

''That's what it's all about,'' he said. ``Coming in these workouts, compete and show these guys what you can do. The rest is out of your hands. Every team needs a great shooter. I feel like I can fill that void on anybody's team.''



(miamiherald.com)