The Nuggets will hold their first pre-draft workout in advance of the 2017 NBA Draft on Monday, May 22 at Pepsi Center.
The five prospects and potential draft targets scheduled to participate in the workouts include two players who played their college ball nearby: Gian Clavell (Colorado State) and Nelson Kahler (Colorado State-Pueblo). The workout also includes Yante Maten (Georgia), Eric Mika (BYU) and Jacob Wiley (Eastern Washington).
Gian Clavell
Clavell: A 6-foot-4 guard, led the Mountain West league in scoring at 20.4 points per game as a senior at Colorado State. He also earned numerous honors, including NABC First Team All-District 17, USBWA All-District First Team and was named the Mountain West Player of the Year. Clavell’s accolades his senior season also include All-MW First Team and MW All-Defensive team.
Nuggets fit: Clavell is a prolific scorer that can put up points at will but what separates him is his defensive abilities. A need for the Denver Nuggets has been perimeter defense as it is something Coach Malone has harped about since he was hired, Clavell provides that.
Nelson Kahler
Kahler: A 6-foot-9 forward/center, scored 13 points per game as a senior at Colorado State-Pueblo while shooting 61% from the field. He averaged 5.5 rebounds a game and 3.3 blocks per game (fifth in the nation in total blocks). While at Colorado State-Pueblo he was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and was also on the RMAC First Team All Conference.
Nuggets fit: The Nuggets desperately needs defenders and interior defense, Kahler provides just that with efficiency around the rim and the ability to run the floor.
Yante Maten
Maten: A 6-foot-8 forward, has until Wednesday, May 24 to decide whether he will enter the NBA draft or return to Georgia for another year. Last year at Georgia, Maten was named to the first-team All-SEC team as he averaged 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Nuggets fit: Maten is a low post scorer with the ability to score in bunches. He is a great rebounder with the ability to guard larger players with his strength.
Eric Mika
Mika: A 6-foot-10 forward, is a talented sophomore out of BYU. While there, he averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. He was also named to the All-WCC First Team, was the USBWA District VIII Player of the Year and was on the NABC All-District 9 First Team.
Nuggets fit: While Mika doesn’t have exceptional strength or athletic ability, he does possess a high motor. He shows that he can go inside and bang on the glass but he also can shoot well from outside. His inside/outside game can be something Denver utilizes along with physicality on the defensive end.
Jacob Wiley
Wiley: A 6-foot-7 forward out of Eastern Washington, in his lone season with the Eagles averaged 20.4 points and 9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks a game. He is the reigning Big Sky Conference MVP as he led the league in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots. He also earned First Team All-District 6 honors before he was named by Associated Press as an honorable mention on the All-America team.
Nuggets fit: Wiley is a prolific scorer with a high motor. He is a very athletic player who runs the court well. While he is a bit undersized he has the length to be a highly capable defender.
The 2017 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, June 22 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Nuggets currently hold the 13th, 49th and 51st selection.