The Lakers started working out players that could be added to their roster if they don’t get drafted in this year’s NBA Draft because Los Angeles has no picks t use.
One of those players is Drew Peterson out of University of South California. The 22-year-old shooting guard peaked in his final year in college as he averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 33 minutes per game.
Playing college basketball in California, he was close to the Lakers and attended some of the games they played. He was asked about the experience of working out for the team.
“Obviously, I know Lakers are a historical franchise,” Peterson said. “Playing at SC I’m right down the road from same road with the arenas. I’ve gone to my fair share of Laker games and it’s really cool getting to work out and see all the facilities and see all the history behind all this. Playing for Lakers is a dream for anybody. So, it’s really cool to get this experience.”
According to Peterson, the Lakers could be a good place for him to develop as there are two prime examples of undrafted players making name for themselves with the purple and gold – Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves.
“I watched a lot of Laker games throughout the year,” the 6’9″ shooting guard said. “I grew up in Chicago, so, obviously, Alex Caruso is a well known name to me too, coming from here developed really well and got paid over there really well. So it’s cool to see that.
“I think an important thing for me is getting in a program that really has proven they can develop role guys and stuff like that. I’m willing as one of those guys to buy into whatever situation I need to be. I’m looking to help in any way I can. I want to be in a winning team and I want to be able to do whatever I can to help the team win.
“A team that has experience with developing guys like me Austin Reaves, Caruso, stuff like that it’s really enticing. Hopefully I can put myself in a position to be available to do that. I’m going to work my butt off to be in that position and it’ll pay off.”
