Michigan graduated wing Zak Irvin played outstanding basketball in his last month as a Wolverine, and he's hoping to become the next Indiana Mr. Basketball to make it to the NBA.
Irvin isn't projected by many to go in the June 24 draft, so he'd probably have to make it as a free agent. The Fishers, Ind. native recently told reporters following a workout with his hometown Indiana Pacers he'd do whatever it took to make it happen.
"It's alway been a dream of mine since I was a little kid, playing in the NBA," he said. "Just to come here having Pacers gear on is nice ... it's always nice to come back home, and Mr. Basketballs have a nice legacy [of playing in the NBA] ... I just want to be able to do it.
"I was here when I was a little kid, back when it was Conseco Fieldhouse [instead of Bankers Life]. I’ve played here in the NCAA tournament (for Michigan), got the two big wins this year (against Oklahoma State and Louisville), so it’s always nice to come back home ... I know my parents would love to see me in this blue and gold.”
Irvin told the Indianapolis Star he still has workouts scheduled with Dallas, Detroit and Atlanta, adding he's been working hard to show teams he can defend.
"Every workout I've been has going against someone different," he said. "You take it like a job interview. It's so competitive; you're playing to be a able to live for a living. It's the game I love. I'm just enjoying every step that I take.
"I know everyone has their own path. That’s everyone’s dream to hear their name get called, shake the commissioner’s hand. But I’ve got my own path. We’ll see what ends up happening. I know God’s got something set up for me. I’m just going to make the most of it. Mr. Basketballs have a nice prestige of getting in the NBA. Hopefully I can keep that going.”
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