In terms of Denver basketball royalty, J.J. Avila just got the chance of a lifetime. Today, the former Colorado State Rams men’s basketball star worked out with Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups and fellow former NBA guard Anthony Carter in Denver.
“I worked out with Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter today and have been working out with Carter the past week,” Avila explained in an exclusive interview Tuesday.
“It’s going great,” the 23-year old said of working with the wily, old vets. “They’re pros. They’re retired and they work just as hard as anyone I’ve seen. They’re in it to stay in shape and play some ball but really they’re in it for the guys they’re training, to help them out. And they demand that you put in 100 percent effort every time, every play, every drill we do. It’s really good.”
With Larry Eustachy demanding that all-out effort all the time, Avila enjoyed one of the most storied senior seasons in CSU hoops history. Not only was he named first-team All-Mountain West, but also the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I All-District 17 first team. The senior forward led the Rams in scoring (16.7 PPG), rebounds (7.5), steals (2.0) and was second in assists (2.8), though he could be considered the team’s best passer.
Following Colorado State being snubbed for the NCAA Tournament, they hosted and lost to South Dakota State in the NIT’s first round. Since then, Avila’s hired an agent, performed well in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last week and recently began workouts with former pros.
“It was fun, playing with a bunch of good players,” Avila said of participating in the PIT. “I was playing with a bunch of good players and against a bunch of really good players. It was really good to learn how to adapt to a new team you’re playing with, for everybody.
“We’re kind of from all over the place, but we’re staying in touch,” he said of the relationships formed with fellow players at the tournament. “Just seeing how each other’s doing with training. I made some good friends.”
In the PIT, Avila was the all-around player he was at CSU, with 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.3 assists per game. He was named to the All-tournament team while showing off his skills for NBA scouts in the crowd.
Now, he’s working hard to improve his game with Billups and Carter in the Mile High City.
“Coach Eustachy really taught us that, really push yourself, but this is a different level for sure,” Avila explained of the workouts’ intensity.
What specifically is the McAllen, Texas native learning from the retired professionals? “To fight through fatigue. It’s not how you start but how you finish. On our shooting drills, when we’re kind of tired at the end, they try and get us to really focus on that last shot and knock it in. Because it could be late fourth quarter or overtime and you need to hit a big shot. Just getting your mind right, fighting through the fatigue.”
Avila hasn’t worked out with any NBA teams yet, but explained, “My agent said there should be some workouts coming in mid-May.”
As a 6’6” and 250-pounder, Avila possesses the versatile game to make it at the next level, whether that be in the NBA or playing overseas. He’s got a great motor and doesn’t shy away from doing all the little things like diving on the floor for loose rebounds. After grabbing defensive rebounds, he has the ability to dribble the length of the court and drive the hoop or dish it to a teammate. Avila’s spin move with the ball in his hand is quick and sets up floaters while he can knock down outside shots, too.
“The ultimate goal is to make an NBA roster, obviously,” he said. “I’m not sure the likelihood of me getting drafted, but I’m going to keep working my butt off. I’m trying to get better every day. If it happens, it happens. If not, then I’ll do whatever it takes to make it. I know how tough it is and the percentage of college players, or anyone really, becoming an NBA player. But if not, I can try something overseas.
“I’m just going to do what I have to do with all these workouts and get my body right,” Avila continued. “And when I do get the call to go somewhere, I’m going to make the most of it.”
You can bet on that, just like he made the most of transferring to Colorado State, helping his team set school records all along the way.
Here’s a video of Avila setting screens today:
Chauncey and Anthony Carter getting in some ball screen work today in the lab pic.twitter.com/fHBp3CuIFW
— Nick Graham (@ANAbasketball) April 21, 2015
Check out this one with Billups faking and then making a fadeaway in Avila’s face:
Check out that last hesi before the shot tho Chauncey Billups teaching the young boy pic.twitter.com/zNecm8GLC1
— Nick Graham (@ANAbasketball) April 21, 2015
