Former Ohio men's basketball player D.J. Cooper participated in his first NBA workout on Friday with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Cooper was one of four NBA prospects to workout at Portland's practice facility, joining Creighton's Gregory Echenique, Arizona's Grant Jerrett and Syracuse's Brandon Triche.
The prospects are each preparing for the upcoming NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, June 27. The workout was one of 10 the Blazers will host, as they possess the No. 10, 39, 40 and 45th picks in the draft.
Portland point guard Damian Lillard was named the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, but 2013 reserve guards Nolan Smith adnd Eric Maynor will both become free agents this offseason.
In four seasons with the Bobcats, Cooper became the only player in NCAA Division I history to post at least 2,000 career points, 900 assists, 600 rebounds and 300 steals.
The point guard is Ohio's all-time leader in assists, steals, three-pointers, games started and games played.
Cooper, who completed his final season with Ohio in March, will continue to workout before the draft, as he is vying to be the first Bobcat drafted since Brandon Hunter was selected in 2003 by the Boston Celtics.
Just 21 Bobcats have been selected in the NBA draft since 1946.
cl027410@ohio.edu
