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Prince, Uthoff Highlight Versatile Pre-Draft Workout Group

Specialists or Swiss Army knives?

There is no right or wrong answer to the question. Phoenix plans on drafting the best overall talent available on June 23, regardless of position or skill set. That being said, there is no denying the value of a player who can do many things well over one that excels in just one or two areas.

"The more that you can do, the better," said Suns assistant general manager Pat Connelly. "If you're a specialist, you have to be elite in that specialized skill. Guys that can tick off multiple boxes are always appealing. They're guys that coaches and people in the front office get excited about because you can switch it up a million different ways and be creative in how you use them.

Tuesday's pre-draft workout group carried that kind of versatility by the bucket load, and perhaps no one more so than Baylor prospect Taurean Prince. The 6-8 forward can score (16.0 ppg), defend (1.2 spg and 0.7 bpg), rebound (6.0 rpg) and even shoot from three (36.1 percent). His combination of size, speed and skill set make him a potential prototype for an NBA forward, one that can shift seamlessly between the perimeter and the post while remaining effective.

Prince was a late bloomer, sprouting 11 inches in high school before ultimately becoming the athlete he is today. What remained consistent was his appetite for the ball, no matter how he had to get it while on the court.

"His ability to guard multiple positions, the fact that he can get out there and clump things up...His length will be an asset for him going forward, obviously with his athleticism and his skill set," Connelly said.

Uthoff Shows Size and Shooting

Jarrod Uthoff is similarly versatile, though he'll need to bulk up from his current weight of 214 pounds. His combination of size (6-10) and shooting (38.2 percent from three) is a hot commodity in the spread-floor world that is today's NBA.

Like Prince, Uthoff was also a willing and able defender (2.5 bpg, 1.0 spg) in college, using his quickness and length to disrupt opposing offenses. He registered a combined eight blocks in two games against top-five ranked Michigan State, and h decimated No. 4 Iowa State to the tune of 32 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and a steal earlier in the season.

"He's got a lot of creative shots, a lot of one-footed shots, a lot of shots on the move," Connelly said. "He has a great arch and he gets off really high in terms of where he releases [the ball]. When you're bigger and you can shoot, it gets a little more interesting."

Siakam Wants Teams to See "Motor"

The only underclassman at Tuesday's workout was also the biggest prospect in attendance. New Mexico State standout Pascal Siakam was a relentless force for the Aggies, averaging 20.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest. Those numbers were a byproduct of his effort, which almost never stops.

"I focus on being a high-motor guy," Siakam said. "Running the floor, playing as hard as I can, defending, blocking shots, being able to switch on ball screens."

Basketball is relatively new to Siakam. He grew up in Cameroon, where soccer held sway until his height and his family's affinity for basketball steered him to hoops. He has acclimated quickly since moving to the United States four years ago. Against Prince's Baylor squad in December, the 6-10 Siakam put up 26 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes.

"He really took off this year," Connelly said. "He's a great athlete, really gets up and down the court. You could see his skill level from year one to year two take a big jump. He did a good job of working to develop everything to complement his athleticism."