:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69553228/usa_today_15762827.0.jpg)
Jamorko Pickett was back where it all started on Wednesday morning as he participated in a pre-draft workout with his hometown team, the Washington Wizards. The DC product by way of Eastern High School and Georgetown has already worked out for a few other NBA teams in the lead up to the draft but he admitted right away that it was great to be back in the city that he loves.
Pickett, who joined the 1,000-point club during his senior season at Georgetown, said the workout - which included Tony Baxter Jr. (Morgan State) and Obadiah Noel (UMass-Lowell) - went really well and that he showed the Wizards exactly what he can do.
Since the Hoyas ended their season, Pickett said he’s been trying to tighten up everything but specifically pointed to jump shooting and finishing around the rim as his recent focuses.
And that’s a nice transition into what role Pickett – a lanky, 6-foot-9 forward who started 109 of 119 games at Georgetown and posted career bests of 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds as a senior in the complicated, covid-altered season of 2020-21 - could potentially fill at the next level.
“At Georgetown I played everything besides point guard,” Pickett said about his four years with the Hoyas.
“I think I can play some 2, some 3, and some 4. I think my versatility is what could help me get to the NBA and stay in the NBA because the game is changing to favor guys like me – bigger wings that can play inside and out, shoot the ball and play defense.”
It’s hard to disagree with Pickett’s self-assessment after his Wizards workout. He absolutely looks – and at times plays - like a 3 and D guy. Pickett knocked down 174 career 3-pointers while shooting 37 % from deep during his time at Georgetown and there were moments – particularly during the 2021 run to the BIG EAST Championship this past March – where he was a lock down defender.
A consensus Top-100 recruit after a year of post grad work at Massanutten Millitary Academy, Pickett said he owed much of where he is today to coach Patrick Ewing. The two will be forever linked as Pickett was one of Ewing’s first recruits after he de-committed from Ole Miss not too long after Ewing returned to the Hilltop.
“He’s been a huge help for me not only through this process but at Georgetown also,” Pickett said when asked how much he’s been communicating with Ewing since he’s been auditioning for NBA teams.
“Not only on the court but off the court. Since I first stepped foot on campus, he instilled that mindset of always being a pro. That’s why this process right now is a lot easier because I was kind of prepared for it.”
Pickett’s praise for both Ewing and the Georgetown program didn’t end there as he gave a great clip for the staff to use while out on the trail looking to find the next Pickett.
“I feel like my four years at Georgetown really polished me to become the man and the player that I am now,” Pickett said.
“I definitely feel like that gives me an advantage over the next player in this draft. Not only just being a four-year player but playing under an NBA superstar for the last four years. Everything we did was directly from the NBA. I feel like that alone gives me an advantage over a lot of people but I only know about Jamorko Pickett and Jamorko Pickett only.”
If there’s one thing Pickett has going for him after his senior year it’s momentum. Pickett was a team leader in helping the Hoyas program win their first BIG EAST Championship since 2007 and reach their first NCAA Tournament since 2015.
“I went out with a bang,” Pickett said as Georgetown seemingly came from out of nowhere to win eight of 12 games after a three-week covid pause to give the Hoyas their conference record eighth league tournament title.
“Winning the BIG EAST tournament was a huge accomplishment for not only me but the program at Georgetown. Going into the Big East Tournament Coach Crouch…. he had to scout for the first game and his main message was ‘BELIEVE’ and I felt like we went into that thing believing. It was huge for me.”
There is no denying that Pickett left Georgetown in a better place than when he arrived.
The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 28th at the Barclays Center. The last Georgetown player drafted was Otto Porter, who was the No. 3 pick in 2013.