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Los Angeles Lakers work out Rawle Alkins as draft stock rises

By Shereen Rayan

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Rawle Alkins poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Rawle Alkins poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former Arizona Wildcats versatile player Rawle Alkins worked out today for the Los Angeles Lakers.

I called it a couple weeks ago, said the Los Angeles Lakers should work out Arizona fan favorite Rawle Alkins because they need a great versatile glue guy for the ¥oung squad.

The Lakers have already worked out Alkins former teammates 7-footer Dusan Ristic, who went up against his former adversary UCLA’s Thomas Welsh. And the Lakers have worked out Allonzo Trier before the NBA Combine.

The NBA Combine proved to be beneficial for Alkins. On Day two of the scrimmages, Alkins showed up just like he had the year before and scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and swatted five blocks in front of Rob Pelinka and Luke Walton. Magic Johnson caught Alkins performance courtside at the Pac-12 Tournament.

You couldn’t watch that Combine performance and not want to see more of Alkins. He shot three’s, rebounded, drew fouls, shot jumpers, layups, stole the ball, you name it.

King Rawle’s team won both games at the combine, and that’s what he cared about, the win. He is the ultimate team player who will do what is asked of him. Having former Arizona Wildcats as coaches could be huge for Alkins development. A two-way player, the Brooklyn, New York native is a gritty player who doesn’t give up on a play.

Alkins former teammate, Deandre Ayton, is projected to go No. 1 in the 2018 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns. Because Ayton was being scouted during the Arizona Wildcats 2017-18 season, scouts have been watching Alkins as well. Alkins grew in height and reduced his body fat. Alkins came in sixth in the NBA Combine in the verticle jump with a score of 40.5″.

That might explain how he was capable of posterizing USC’s Elijah Stewart. Think this wouldn’t be fun to cheer for at STAPLES Center?

https://twitter.com/Iam_RawleAlkins/status/972883588080287744

Alkins stock is rising as teams with first-round picks are working him out. He is a fun interview, is extremely confident, performs in stressful situations, can turn a game around and is relied upon by his coach and teammates.

His infectious smile and personality would fit in nicely with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and probably everyone on the team.

King Rawle, his nickname is huge on social media and is adapting well to life in Los Angeles, where he has made his home base during these pre-draft workouts and training sessions.

Alkins has been seen hanging with Rotimi, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled and more. There are mutual admiration and respect between musicians and athletes, and Alkins bridges the gap between the two worlds nicely.

Alkins has made his mantra, The Savage Life, into a clothing line already. He is also a favorite subject of NBA photographer Cassy Athena who caught some great photo’s of him at the Impact Gym recently.

The  220-pound 6-foot-5 guard worked out for the Lakers (25th and 47th picks) on Wednesday and has worked out for the following teams so far:

  • Sacramento Kings (2nd and 36th picks)
  • Utah Jazz (21st and 52nd pics)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves  (20th and 48th picks)
  • Phoenix Suns (1st, 16th, 31st, 59th picks)
  • Atlanta Hawks (3rd, 19th, 30th, and 33rd picks)
  • Golden State Warriors (28th pick)
  • Various teams at the Impact pre-draft workout in Vegas
  • NEXT: Dallas Mavericks

Alkins got a few “Bear Down’s” (That is a greeting among Wildcats and fans) from Lakers coaches, and Magic made sure that Alkins knew that he knew he was in the house. He spent a little time with NBA Champion and friend Jordan Bell while in Northern California working out with the Warriors. Rawle talks about how he knows Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma from the Pac-12 and more. He feels he can play well with them and “knows” he can play well in the NBA.

Here is Alkins NBA Combine performance:

Remember, when all the NBA Mock Drafts come out and the “experts” talk about who they think will go to which team and when they have been dead wrong. They have also focused a lot on east coast players. The Lakers understand the competition Pac-12 players go up against, so they may be more inclined to pick up another Pac-12 player.

When it’s all said and done, the Lakers will be looking at the all-around player, his potential, his attitude, how well he would fit in, and how they could use him. The Lakers need more two-way players, and Alkins is a player who can come in and turn a game around.

Rob Pelinka said at the NBA Combine that they look at college play, Combine results and scrimmages, and in-house workouts. So they put together an entire history and portfolio together on the players they draft.

Next: 5 Guards For Lakers To Consider In 2018 NBA Draft

The Lakers coaching staff is all too familiar with Alkins game, they are fellow Wildcats, so it is just a matter of how much the Lakers were impressed with King Rawle and when he starts dunking and showing how versatile he is, he is very impressive! Whether or not Alkins lands on the Lakers roster, you should follow him on Twitter or Instagram for entertaining posts.

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