John Poulakidas has caught the attention of the "Brooklyn Nets" during their pre-draft workouts, as the NBA Draft approaches in less than two weeks. The former Yale guard joins the list of players auditioning for the Nets, who hold an unusual four first-round picks this year.
The 6-foot-6 sharpshooter made waves earlier at the G League Elite Camp in May, where he led all players with 16 points during the final scrimmage. Not bad for someone who's been flying under the radar compared to more hyped prospects.
"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 veteran coach Bruce Pearl after Poulakidas helped eliminate Pearl's Auburn team from the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament.
Last season was particularly impressive for the Naperville, Illinois native. He earned First-team All-Ivy League honors while leading the conference with 19.4 points per game. He also guided the "Bulldogs" to the NCAA tournament, dropping 23 points in their first-round loss to No. 4 Texas A&M.
Interestingly, his performance against the Aggies wasn't his first time showing up against elite competition. A year earlier, he poured in 28 points with six three-pointers to knock off No. 4 Auburn in a major tournament upset.
His collegiate resume speaks volumes. Through four years at Yale, 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. He finished his Yale career with the second-most three-point field goals (243) and tenth-most points (1362) in program history.
By the way, Poulakidas was one of just eight players selected for the E*Trade 3-Point Competition held before the Final Four in San Antonio, further highlighting his shooting prowess.
Could this under-the-radar prospect with proven shooting ability be the steal the Nets are looking for late in the draft?
