Count Arizona's Loren Woods among those whose draft stock is on
the rise. After an impressive private workout Friday in Chicago several teams
are beginning to buzz about Loren Woods. Woods, who has been in a vigorous
workout program this spring has been adding muscle to his lanky frame. According
to his agent, Matt Muehlebach, Woods has added 20 pounds to his frame since we
last saw him in the Final Four. Woods now reportedly weighs 250 pounds.
That's good news for teams who have worried about whether Woods can survive
the physical nature of the NBA game. Woods reportedly shot the ball extremely
well in workouts and his added bulk is making teams give him a second look. One
GM. whose team is in the lottery, told Insider that Woods might really rise on
draft boards in the next two weeks. "He was a projected top 5 pick last year,
he played well in the tournament this year, he's 7'1" and is now showing the
ability to bulk up," the GM told Insider. "When the smoke clears, he might
sneak right back up into the top 10. I don't think he'll slip past Boston. If
things keep going well the next two weeks, he may go as high as 6."
"A lot of people would die to be in the position I'm in," Woods said. "So
I'm not by any means saying I had a rough year. It's just unfortunate that
because I had some ups and downs this year, (people say) I can't play. I'm a way
better player than I was last year, and last year I would have gone in the top
five if I had gone to the draft."