As part of our coverage leading up to the 2015 NBA Draft we will provide profiles of more than 60 prospects, including video interviews with each player, what they're saying leading up to draft day as well as their potential fit on the Bulls.
T.J. McConnell, G, Arizona
6'2" | 188 lbs. | 23 years old
2014-15 stats:
10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.2 steals, 49.8 field-goal percentage, 82.9 free-throw percentage
Projection:
Late second round/undrafted
NBA
Quotable:
“I'm here to be a team guy, a locker-room guy, and I'll know my role. I'm not going to try to come into a team and be something that I'm not. I'll come in and run a team and play hard and hit open shots."
Fit for the Bulls:
While McConnell isn't going to do too much wowing with his physical measurements or pop many eyes with his college statistics, there are a few things that could make him a valuable piece for an NBA team. No. 1, he's more than willing to be a role player. He said at the NBA Draft Combine that he's not trying to do too much and he knows that he's not going to be a superstar-type player. That mindset has proven valuable to guys who don't sell a lot of jerseys but who factor in during the biggest moments during postseason pushes. And that's another thing that McConnell can boast: He's been through several postseason pushes. He's competed for Pac-12 titles and made back-to-back deep NCAA tournament runs with Arizona, falling twice in a row to Final Four-bound Wisconsin in each of the past two Big Dances. And though McConnell might be willing to accept that he's not a superstar in the making, he's also not some guy off the street. He had some huge performances during this past NCAA tourney, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in four NCAA tournament games. If the Bulls want a backup/understudy for Derrick Rose at point guard, McConnell could fit the bill with their second-round pick.