Nathan Baird

Journal & Courier

Former Purdue center A.J. Hammons is not participating in the NBA Draft Combine this week and instead plans to schedule individual workouts with teams.

Jonathaon Givony of DraftExpress first reported the development. The combine began today in Chicago and continues through Sunday.

Neither Hammons nor his representatives could immediately be reached for comment.

Hammons, a 7-foot, 250-pound center, can still schedule individual workouts with teams. Jared Quarles, Hammons' former AAU coach, said the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Big Ten selection had not participated in any team-specific workouts prior to the combine.

Hammons received his first combine invitation, which are based on a vote of all 30 NBA teams. However, he was never in position as an underclassman to declare for the draft while retaining his amateurism. The new rules that allow underclassmen to declare for the draft, participate in workouts and the combine and return to school, were not adopted until January. Hammons received feedback from the NBA's Undergraduate Advisory Committee in past seasons.

At the combine, prospects undergo a series of measurements, workouts and interviews with all 30 NBA teams. Purdue coach Matt Painter said last month that Hammons' "motor" likely remained the biggest question teams had about his NBA potential.

By skipping the combine, Hammons won't get to display that motor in five-on-five workouts against other top prospects. However, Givony's report said Hammons was targeting specific teams, which Purdue's two-time team MVP can also do through individual workouts. His former Boilermaker teammate, Vince Edwards, has worked out for Boston and Minnesota despite not being invited to the draft combine.

Hammons has been working out in Houston with former NBA coach John Lucas. He did the same last summer, getting in shape and working on the outside shooting touch and post moves that contributed to his best season as a Boilermaker.

Hammons averaged 15 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a senior, shooting 59.2 percent from the field. He is listed as a low first or high to middle second-round pick in most draft projections, including DraftExpress (No. 41), NBAdraft.net (No. 29) and HoopsHype (No. 30).

Purdue's Caleb Swanigan is participating in the combine. The rising sophomore declared for the draft but did not hire an agent. He can participate in individual workouts after the combine but can return to Purdue if he withdraws from the draft by May 25.

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