Spartans hope to get call tonight

Four former Spartans will watch tonight's NBA draft with keen interest tonight, although only one of them - Goran Suton - has a chance to be selected.

The others will be taking note of who goes where, conferring with their agents, trying to figure out which teams offer the best opportunities in the NBA summer league.

"I feel like I'm capable of playing over here," Marquise Gray said. "At MSU I don't feel like I ever showcased the things I can do on a consistent basis. ... The main thing for all of us is getting our foot in the door somewhere."

Suton has a "50-50ish" chance of going in the second round of tonight's two-round draft, analyst Chris Monter said. He has worked out for several NBA teams and, even if he isn't picked, will have an opportunity to make an NBA team as a free agent.

"Obviously he's got some skills, size, he's a winner," Monter said of Suton. "He showed a lot during Michigan State's run (to the NCAA title game). He's a four-year (NCAA) player, so he's a little more ready to play."

Suton said he worked out for 13 teams - Boston, Miami, Houston, San Antonio, Toronto, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Indiana, Sacramento, Oklahoma City, Utah, Portland and Detroit. He was supposed to work out Wednesday in Cleveland, with whom he had already had a pre-draft interview, but weather delayed his flight in Denver.

"It's been in and out - kind of crazy with the flying and everything," Suton said Wednesday night. "I fly, I eat, I sleep, I work out and that's it."

He said as the process has continued, he's grown eager for tonight's draft.

"I have mixed emotions. I'm kind of anxious, because I want to see what happens and when I'm going to get picked, but then you think in your head, 'What if you don't get picked?'" Suton said Wednesday night. "I don't know how to feel, but I'm pretty excited. Either way, I think it's going to work out in the end and I'm looking forward to what my next step in life is going to be as the process comes together."

Suton said Boston and Miami have shown the most interest leading into today's draft and that Utah, Minnesota and Indiana all seem intrigued by his workout. But it was a few things he heard from Houston gave him a boost.

"Houston was one of the teams that told me I helped myself in the process," he said. "That gives you a good attitude, knowing you're doing well in the workouts and that I've helped myself out. That really motivated me even more."

Gray, Idong Ibok and Travis Walton all should get a chance to play for an NBA team in the summer league, a battleground for rookies, free agents and young reserves. Drew Neitzel played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer league a year ago before signing with a team in Germany.

All three are prepared to make an overseas jump as well.

"I don't have a preference, I'll go anywhere to play basketball," Ibok said. "My agent has been looking in Europe and Asia. Of course, it's my ultimate goal to play in the NBA, if not this year, then in upcoming years."

Monter said Walton "helped himself quite a bit" during the NCAA Tournament, although he still has to prove he can shoot consistently.

At 6-foot-8 and with extreme athleticism, Gray has opened some eyes. He recently worked out for the Detroit Pistons.

"I'm intrigued by Gray," Monter said. "You watch him at times and think, 'This guy could be a stud,' but you never see it over a period of time."

At a shade under 7 foot and with a massive wing span, Ibok has the size. He needs to continue improving his hands and skills.

"If you're 7 foot, you're 7 foot," Monter said. "You're always gonna make money. If you're a big man, you're usually gonna be around. He's the type of player who can play somewhere, whether it be the NBA, CBA, NBDL or Europe."

Suton - who plans to spend time with his parents during the draft - also talked with former MSU star guard Drew Neitzel, who went through the same situation last year. Neitzel was not drafted.

"I'm so anxious, I don't know if I can watch the draft," Suton said. "I just talked to Drew Neitzel and said, 'I don't know how you could watch the draft,' and he said, 'Oh come on man, just watch.' And I said, 'But you weren't drafted,' and he told me to shut up."

Lansing State Journal sports reporter Chris Solari contributed to this story.