John Poulakidas completed a workout with the "Brooklyn Nets" as NBA Draft preparations enter their final phase. The former Yale guard has emerged as an intriguing prospect for teams looking beyond the lottery picks.
The 6-foot-6 sharpshooter made his case at the G League Elite camp in May, where he led all participants with 16 points during the event's final scrimmage. Not bad for someone who's had to consistently prove himself against bigger programs.
"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 Auburn's veteran coach Bruce Pearl after Poulakidas torched his team in the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament.
That performance against the Tigers wasn't just a fluke. Poulakidas dropped 28 points and six three-pointers to help eliminate No. 4 Auburn from the tournament's Round of 32. He followed that up in his senior season by leading the Ivy League with 19.4 points per game and earning First-team All-Ivy League honors.
During Yale's NCAA tournament appearance this year, he scored 23 points in a first-round loss to No. 4 Texas A&M. Worth mentioning, Poulakidas was also one of just eight players selected for the E*Trade 3-Point Competition held before the Final Four in San Antonio.
His Yale career speaks volumes about his consistency. The Naperville, Illinois native finished with averages of 12.4 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 40.2% from beyond the arc. He leaves the program with the second-most three-pointers (243) and tenth-most points (1362) in Yale history.
With the "Nets" holding four first-round picks, could Poulakidas be a value selection late in the draft? His shooting touch and proven performance against high-level competition certainly make a compelling case.
