Furkan Korkmaz just looks like a basketball player.
The Turkish-born shooting guard is listed at 6-foot-7 but looks longer. He has tremendous athleticism, and he can shoot the heck out of a basketball. He put all those skills on display Saturday morning during his pre-draft workout with the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets hosted Korkmaz and Littleton native Tanner Samson for their 13th pre-draft workout session with NBA prospects this summer. As of now, it is scheduled to be the team’s last time hosting a workout like this before the draft kicks off next Thursday.
While most of these sessions are focused on getting to know the intangible aspects of a prospect’s game and personality, there is certainly some basketball that goes on as well. In that respect, Korkmaz, who made it to Denver after three days of whirlwind travel, was far from pleased with his performance.
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“It was not me because of the trip and the altitude,” Korkmaz said. “I know it’s not an excuse, but it’s really hard to adapt. I think I couldn’t show myself very well, but I did a great job.”
Despite a poor performance on the floor during his workout, Korkmaz is theoretically exactly the kind of player many experts think the Nuggets will be after on June 23. He’s a European star, who at the ripe old age of 18-years-old plays the game with a skill and maturity well beyond his years.
Last season, he scored 4.3 points per game, averaged 1.2 rebounds per game, and passed for a little more than half an assist every night. While those numbers might not jump off the page, his real skill set comes in his athleticism and shooting ability.
Korkmaz averages 45.2 percent from beyond the arch. That’s where most of his value may lie for the Nuggets, and he knows it.
“They need a shooter,” Korkmaz said. “They need good three-point shooters. I think I can help them, but I need to see what happens in the draft.”
The Nuggets currently hold the No. 7, 15, and 19 overall picks in the first round. As recently as last week, most had thought Korkmaz would be available if Denver were interested in him at No. 15. However, as happens so often with gifted athletes in the draft process, his stock is rising rapidly.
“First of all, my idea was to be in the top 10 at the beginning of the season,” Korkmaz said. “I think everybody knows me. For sure I want to be a lottery pick.”
Some great stuff from Furkan Korkmaz's workout with the #Nuggets today. Look at this kid slam it home. pic.twitter.com/O5UiMZa7cP
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) June 18, 2016
While he is certainly optimistic about his prospects at the next level, most NBA draft experts believe Korkmaz needs more time in Europe to develop his game and build out his admittedly lanky frame. Many teams project him as a so-called “draft and stash” option next season.
However, Korkmaz has little interest in spending more time playing overseas. He is adamant about playing in the NBA.
“I want to come right away here,” Korkmaz said. “If I come here right away next year, it’s going to help me a lot. For example, if I reach my potential after three years in Europe, it’s going to take less time if I come here right away.”
If the Nuggets were to give Korkmaz the call up into the NBA, he would be joining a roster already full of international talent.
“That’s going to help me a lot,” Korkmaz said. “Their organization is really good. If I come here next year right away, they can help me a lot.”
Whether or not Korkmaz winds up in Denver could come down to whether he’s available at a pick that matches his value for the Nuggets. He’s currently on a whirlwind tour of teams that will continue with a workout for the Boston Celtics on Monday.
