Nathan Baird

Journal & Courier

Prior to the final NCAA Tournament of his career, Purdue center A.J. Hammons wasn’t thinking about the future.

If the Boilermakers had made a push into the tournament, it would have meant more exposure for the the 7-foot senior and NBA Draft hopeful. Yet among the many things Hammons learned over his four years with Purdue was the importance of focusing on what he can control.

“Whatever you do is going to be evaluated,” Hammons said. “You can go out there and try to impress people. It’s really just working on what you need to work on and make sure playing for your team. Don’t worry about outside stuff.”

Hammons had only one more game to display his talents, bowing out with 16 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks in Purdue’s double-overtime loss to Little Rock.

The Gary native should be among the 60 or so players invited to the NBA Draft combine in May. He'll also go through workouts and interviews with several NBA teams.

Hammons passed up the draft each of the past two seasons because the feedback he received from the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee didn’t project him as a first-round pick. For a variety of reasons, opinion is mixed as to whether Hammons can climb that high this season.

However, NBA scouts and others with NBA backgrounds share their belief that there is a place in the NBA for Hammons.

“I always reference that game vs. Maryland,” said one NBA scout, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity because teams cannot publicly comment on players.

“He made two 3s in that game. He showed the full arsenal. He’s able to do a lot of different things. He’s able to shoot the ball, able to pick-and-pop. For a 7-footer, that’s a major difference in why he’s getting all this consideration.”

That scout said last week that his organization sees Hammons as an early second round pick. Another scout called Hammons "a safe second-round pick.” NBAdraft.net projects Hammons as a first round pick, No. 22 overall, but the entire list of underclassmen and foreign players in the draft is not yet known. Draftexpress.com lists him No. 38 in its latest mock draft.

Working in Hammons’ favor? He’s become more dynamic around the basket over the course of his career, and not just as a rim-protector. He’s efficient offensively, cutting down turnovers and expanding his arsenal to include a lethal left shoulder hook shot and the occasional 3-pointer.

“That left shoulder hook with his right hand is unbelievable,” sophomore forward Vince Edwards said. “He can be about 18 feet out and it’s still like a layup for him. He’s knocking down rhythm shots consistently and he’s got nice footwork in the post.”

Working against Hammons? Some teams have character concerns after Hammons was suspended for the first three games of his sophomore season and benched for three games to begin his senior year. It’s not necessarily a red flag, but it does give teams pause. However, one scout said Hammons' maturation could be a sign of his ability to overcome adversity and work through tough situations.

Former Purdue standout Brian Cardinal, who spent 12 seasons in the NBA with six organizations, has watched Hammons’ career develop. He believes Hammons’ athleticism and ability to run the floor as a big man will allow him to contribute at the next level.

However, physical adjustments aren't the only ones that await.

“The coaches are great and the development staffs are great in the NBA,” said Cardinal, who works at Purdue now as assistant director of the John Purdue Club. “Those guys are still around and still involved. But you don’t really have people that have the time and the ability to babysit you. In college, you have people checking on you: Are you going to class, going to study table, doing well in school, eating meals, doing all these things.

“The NBA is not necessarily like that. You have people coming in every year trying to steal your job. You have to be self-motivated.”

While Hammons’ game has developed, NBA teams have questioned more than his physical skills. Hammons acknowledged he needed to show a better “motor” the past two seasons to help convince teams of his passion for the game. Purdue coach Matt Painter said recently that Hammons' engagement in practice progressed from every other day, to two out of three days, to three out of four until he was a daily presence.

Robbie Hummel, a two-year NBA veteran, spent the past season with Purdue as a mentor while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. The former Boilermaker star watched Hammons’ daily approach and came away without concerns.

“If you watch him on a day-to-day basis, there weren’t days where he stood out as not trying, not anything like that,” Hummel said. “When you get to the NBA, not every guy in that league loves playing basketball. They’re just really talented and they do it because they’re good at it.

“I’m not saying A.J. is one of those guys. But at the end of the day, the NBA wants guys who can produce or play. Whether he loves the game or not, I don’t know because I’m not inside A.J.’s head. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s capable of playing.”

Hammons has said repeatedly that staying at Purdue all four years was the correct decision. It may not push him into that first round, since as Hammons’ skills have progressed, so has his age.

"He will be one of the older players in the draft, so that will scare some teams away," one scout said.

However, scouts agree that Hammons helped his game — and his eventual pro career — by staying in school.

“He’s not overly skilled, but he’s a decent rebounder,” said the first scout. “He’s improving his mobility, improving as a jump shooter. He’s got solid length. He has good hands and can finish through contact.

“He’s got redeemable qualities. The fact he can shoot it, it will be interesting to see how teams use him at the next level. He’s not just some sort of back-to-the-basket guy.”

PURDUE UNDERCLASSMEN

Boilermaker rising sophomore Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan has already declared for the NBA Draft, but will not hire an agent, which allows him to return to Purdue. Two rising juniors — Vince Edwards and Isaac Haas — could do the same.

We asked NBA scouts for their impressions of the trio so far:

CALEB SWANIGAN

Height/weight: 6-9, 250

Age on draft day: 19

2015-16 statistics: 10.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.6 turnovers, 46.1 FG Pct., 29.2 3FG Pct., 71.3 FT Pct.

Scout's take: "I don't think he's ready. ... He's a guy who's done a really good job with his body. The Wisconsin game when he ended the regular season — he’s very capable of doing that. I think it's just inconsistency."

VINCE EDWARDS

Height/weight: 6-8, 225

Age on draft day: 20

2015-16 statistics: 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 45.0 FG Pct., 40.7 3FG Pct., 82.0 FT Pct.

Scout's take: "Down the road? Possible. I like Vince's size for his position and everything. His physical profile’s impressive — I just don’t know yet. Next season will be very telling."

ISAAC HAAS

Height/weight: 7-2, 285

Age on draft day: 21

2015-16 statistics: 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 1.1 turnovers, 59.4 FG Pct., 71.4 FT Pct.

Scout's take: "I liked him a lot his freshman year because he came out of nowhere. He was that consensus top 100 recruit, but he moves really well. He can block shots, rebound. He’s just so limited skill-wise. I see him as a four-year guy."