Q&A: Jaron Blossomgame on the Pre-Draft Process

For many prospects, it may be hard to believe that the day they’ve dreamed of for their entire life is almost finally here. Dreams will come true for 60 prospects on Thursday night as they hear their name called.

These prospects have put in countless hours at the gym in order to have a chance to one day play in the NBA. In recent weeks, players have worked out in front of NBA executives and coaches to prove why they should be drafted tomorrow night.

One player who expects to hear his name called Thursday night is Jaron Blossomgame. After averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season at Clemson, Blossomgame established himself as one of the top seniors in this year’s class. He has excellent athleticism and possesses great physical tools that figure to translate well at the next level.

Blossomgame is currently projected by Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 46.

Basketball Insiders recently caught up with Blossomgame to discuss the pre-draft process, his expectations for draft night, how he stayed ready during all of his workouts and more.

Cody Taylor: How many workouts have you done?

Jaron Blossomgame: 12 or 13 workouts.

Taylor: Were there any that stuck out that were the toughest?

Blossomgame: Houston was pretty bad. It was a full two hours on the court. Every workout has been the same thing: play 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3 and do some shooting. They’re all high-level workouts. They were really fast paced. The basketball part is the easy part. The hard part is the travel.

Taylor: A couple guys have mentioned Utah as being pretty tough. Did you work out with them?

Blossomgame: I went to Utah last year. They were my first workout last year. I remember the altitude was a factor a little bit.

Taylor: How was it working out against a lot of the same players?

Blossomgame: It was pretty good. We all kind of know each other through this whole process and meeting at the Combine. Once we’re all on the court, it’s very competitive. I remember working out against [Kyle] Kuzma in San Antonio and Philadelphia. It’s just high-level basketball. You have six guys total in a workout and they’re all trying to take your head off. You gotta be on your toes at all times and be really sharp. It’s a really fun process. I love it. Obviously, seeing these guys a lot, you kind of build tendencies and understand what they like to do. If they get the best of you in one spot, you’ll see them again.

Taylor: Do you prefer an individual workout or a group setting?

Blossomgame: I’m pretty good at 1-on-1, but I can also play 3-on-3. It doesn’t really matter. I like competing in a setting like that in a workout. It doesn’t really matter to me, to be honest.

Taylor: What are some things you’re hearing from teams during workouts?

Blossomgame: I’m very aware of my game and who I am as a player and my role. Everything that I know I need to work on is really consistent with what teams are telling me. I think the two areas I really want to improve on is just continuing to work on my ball handling and continuing to shoot at a high level. My shooting was a little inconsistent last season. I shot 45 percent from three my junior year and 25 percent my senior year. Just finding a balance. I’m somewhere in between that but I’m trying to find out where it is. Just staying in the gym, getting up shots and continuing to work on my ball handling is the two things I really want to get better at.

Taylor: After having been through the pre-draft process last year, have there been any surprises this year?

Blossomgame: It’s been pretty smooth sailing this year. The Combine was all the same this year. I did seven workouts [last year] so I got a good feel how the travel can be. Just learning how to take care of your body. Every workout now, you’ve got guys saying they’ve had [up to] 15 workouts in different places. Down the stretch it can get tough for guys; some guys have back to back workouts and even three in a row. Just taking care of your body; cold tub after every workout. Get some treatment. Nutrition is very important also. Just doing the right things and taking care of your body.

Taylor: Do you feel like all of the travel can prepare you for an NBA season?

Blossomgame: Definitely. The NBA season plus the playoffs could be like 90-something games. Travel can be very hectic. This process you learn some tips and stuff that you will take with you the rest of your career. Speaking for myself, as far as nutrition and recovery, I really wasn’t a big fan of icing and doing the cold tub but now I have to do it.

(Note: This interview was recorded last Friday. Blossomgame departed Indianapolis after his workout with the Pacers Thursday night at 8:25 p.m. and landed in Atlanta at 9:58 p.m. Due to numerous delays, he didn’t leave the airport in Atlanta until 12:30 a.m.)

Today was a back to back. I was in Indiana yesterday and didn’t get in until 12:30 a.m. and woke up this morning at 7 a.m. and had to be dressed and ready to go on the court at 9 a.m. Just doing things to take care of your body and find different ways to sleep. Stretch. Stay hydrated. Just prepare yourself for play the next day. It’s a long season. The travel experience right now is definitely benefitting other players as well.

Taylor: What’s Draft Day going to be like for you?

Blossomgame: I’m actually going to the draft. I’ll be there in New York City. I’m going to sit in the crowd. So I’ll be there waiting for my name to get called.

Taylor: What are your expectations for Draft Day?

Blossomgame: I am definitely expecting to be drafted, for sure. As far as where, I have no idea. You know how the draft goes. I remember watching last year and I think DraftExpress or somebody had Demetrius Jackson at like 16 and he ended up going 45. Some guys had Taurean Prince at 28 or 31 and he ended up going 12. Through this process, I really don’t pay attention to mock drafts; it’s just distractions. That’s an easy way to get sidetracked from the main goal and that is winning each day and just going out here and having fun. I think one thing we fail to realize and do during this process is understanding the opportunity we have and have fun with it. Not many people get to do this and not many people get workouts. So we just got to give thanks and be appreciative we’re right here. Not many people have this opportunity so just soak it in and take it all in and be very appreciative of it.

Taylor: Are you going to be with anyone in particular at the Draft?

Blossomgame: Probably my family and my AAU coach and then some family friends.

Taylor: Once you get drafted, will it be a relief for you know that you can finally lock in with just one team?

Blossomgame: I’ll definitely be relieved, that’s a great way to put it. I’m sure a lot of people will be relieved. This three and a half week period that we’ve been through with all of these workouts have been very tough. Guys are ready to hear their name called. I’ve been counting down every day. I look at my calendar every day. It’s definitely going to be a special night. For myself and a lot of my friends, this process has put a lot of hard work into, it’s definitely going to be great to see my dreams come true and also theirs.