Oubre Jr. Showing Promise Thus Far During Training Camp

By Colby Giacubeno

As NBA Draft night was approaching, Kelly Oubre Jr. of Kansas University was a very intriguing prospect to many teams because of his high-ceiling potential. The Washington Wizards were determined to bring the 19-year-old to the nation’s capital and worked out a trade with the Atlanta Hawks that would send Oubre Jr. (the 15th overall pick) to the Wizards in exchange for two second-round picks and the 19th overall pick, Jerian Grant of Notre Dame.

The Hawks then sent Grant to the New York Knicks in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr.

The known behind Oubre Jr.’s game was his ability to shoot from the perimeter along with his length, which made him menace especially toward the end of his freshman season at Kansas. Questions still surrounded him as to whether or not his work ethic would improve in order to become a productive player in the NBA.

The first time Oubre Jr.’s skills were put to the test in a Wizards uniform was during the Las Vegas Summer League. Throughout six games, he led the team in scoring with 16.6 points and also chipped in with 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Although his averages were impressive, his 25 percent shooting from three-point range was alarming since that was supposedly the strongest aspect of his game.

After acquiring Jared Dudley, Gary Neal, and Alan Anderson during the offseason, it was difficult to predict where Oubre Jr. would find his minutes during games. But throughout the first two days of training camp, he has been able to display his worth and why the Wizards traded up to get him.

Oubre Jr. credits Alan Anderson for being the most helpful throughout his first two practices as a professional, “He’s been on the sideline working on his rehab, but he’s been in my ear saying the most out of everybody,” Oubre Jr. said.

Anderson sat out of both practices this week, as he continues to rehab his injured ankle. While the Wizards want him on the court as soon as possible, they won’t rush the process.

Oubre Jr. responded to how he plans to separate himself from the veteran players, “Stay in the gym. That’s what Otto said in his interview and that’s definitely what I do. I’m trying to be a workaholic. And just to make sure I’m the best and I know that I can compete and have confidence at this level.”

Throughout the first two days, he has been getting the majority of his reps at the shooting guard and small forward positions. With Anderson still nursing his ankle injury and Dudley only participating in non-contact drills, the rookie can take advantage of the extra repetitions.

In regards to taking on the role of a rookie, Oubre Jr. understands he has to pay his dues, but also understands he will be a key piece in the team’s success providing scoring off the bench, “I’m just ready to play. I’m ready to help this team win as much as I can,” he said as he was addressing the media Monday.

Oubre Jr. and the Wizards will continue their training camp at Towson University’s SECU Arena for tomorrow before returning to the Verizon Center for the remainder of the week.