John Poulakidas has completed a pre-draft workout with the "Brooklyn Nets" as the NBA Draft approaches in less than two weeks. The former Yale guard is making his case as a potential late-round pick or free agent signing for teams looking for shooting talent.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard turned heads at the G League Elite camp in May, where he led all players with 16 points during the final scrimmage.
"Obviously they made big shots and John got hot and we just couldn't guard him. He made some big plays and big buckets. That's what guys got to do at the end of things," – said longtime Auburn coach Bruce Pearl after Poulakidas helped eliminate his team from the NCAA Tournament.
Last season was particularly impressive for the sharpshooter. Poulakidas earned First-team All-Ivy League honors while leading the conference with 19.4 points per game. He showed he could perform against top competition too. Against No. 4 Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament, he dropped 23 points. Even more impressive? He scored 28 points with six three-pointers in Yale's upset win over No. 4 Auburn in 2023-24.
By the way, his shooting credentials earned him a spot as one of just eight players selected for the E*Trade 3-Point Competition ahead of the Final Four in San Antonio.
Through four collegiate seasons, Poulakidas averaged 12.4 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting an efficient 43.8% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc. The Naperville, Illinois native finished his Yale career as the program's second-best three-point shooter (243 made) and tenth-highest scorer (1362 points).
With the "Nets" holding an unprecedented four first-round picks, could Poulakidas be a sleeper pick for Brooklyn late in the draft? His proven shooting ability might just be what some NBA team is looking for.
