A WORK in progress.
These were the exact words an NBA scout used to describe Japeth Aguilar after six hours of workouts with the New Orleans Hornets.
Don Sellers of the Hornets evaluated the 6-foot-9 Filipino along with several American players recently at a gym in West Compton, Los Angeles, according to the Asian Journal, a Filipino-American newspaper based in the United States.
“I like some of the skills he brings to the table. Again, I want to reiterate this, he needs to become more of a westernized player which you saw he’s made a commitment in doing,” Sellers told the Asian Journal.
“I think he’s a work in progress.”
Sellers defined “westernized” as being aggressive and in Aguilar’s case, the 25-year-old high-leaper should compete with more fire and hustle on the floor.
The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper and Ateneo Blue Eagle was said to have showed a lot of promise on both ends of the court.
According to Sellers, Aguilar shot the ball well from the perimeter, showed a good inside game with a strong tendency to dunk at every opportunity and flaunted his shot-blocking skills.
“This boy can jump and unscrew a light bulb from the ceiling without using a ladder,” joked Sellers.
Jim Cleamons, a former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and long-time assistant coach on several NBA teams, was also in attendance during the workouts.
Cleamons said he was impressed with Aguilar and saw two guys with NBA potential but declined to name them.
“He’s still in a very young stage in his growth and development. If he’s willing to be patient with himself, I think that dream that he is hoping for is still very attainable and I wish him the best of luck,” said Cleamons, who served as assistant for the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers and Hornets.
Aguilar also tried his luck with San Antonio Spurs last week following a tryout with Bakersfield Jam.