CHICAGO – Before T.J. McConnell and “Team 4” took on “Team 1” in the final game of the NBA combine Friday, the former UA point guard pulled aside one of Team 4’s forwards.
His name: Brandon Ashley.
“I walked out there and said, `Man, this is weird,’ “ McConnell said. “I’m so used to starting with you on my team.”
The feeling was mutual. And afterward, Ashley even nearly tackled his former teammate with a hug as they walked off the court at the Quest Multisport Complex.
“T.J.’s definitely one of my favorite guys to play with,” Ashley said. “It was definitely different to see him on the other end of the court.”
Both UA players had an significant impact on the game. McConnell had six points, five rebounds and six assists to three turnovers, while Ashley shot 5 for 12 from the field to total 14 points and seven rebounds.
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Ashley’s Team 1 won the game, 80-74.
“Brandon played his butt off and he’s a reason they won,” McConnell said.
Was told by an NBA scout that McConnell wasn’t even invited to the seniors-only (and consequently much less prestigious) Portsmouth Invitational last month, and that UA coach Sean Miller had everything to do with McConnell landing his late invitation to this week's combine.
McConnell’s agent, Chris Emens, said the Portsmouth part wasn’t really true, noting that he advised McConnell not to play there because it would be hard for him to gain anything there.
One thing Emens did agree on, though: That Miller’s influence was strong, and that McConnell took advantage of the five-on-five games to show what he can do.
“Why Sean was intent on him being here was exactly what he did,” Emens said, referring to McConnell’s game performances.
McConnell, typically, still wasn’t happy with his performance. He was 3 for 7 from the field in the two games and missed his only three-pointer Friday.
“My shot didn’t fall from three but I’m working on it,” McConnell said. “That’s the one thing I’m working on the most. I think I was a little tired when I was shooting. I wasn’t ready for it. I’m gonna elevate that.”
McConnell said he will return to Tucson next week to finish up his finals, then play with other Octagon clients in a showcase at Los Angeles on Friday. He said he has private workouts scheduled for the Lakers on May 26 and the 76ers on May 29.
Ashley, meanwhile, said he’ll stay in Chicago to work out for the Bulls over the weekend and go next to San Antonio.
Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who opted not to play in five-on-five drills, were not available for interviews Friday.
All the combine stats and measurements can be found in this NBA database.
We'll have plenty more coverage posted later Friday night: A feature on Ashley, a seen-and-heard notebook and a story on the NCAA’s rule changes that were approved Friday.
