Indiana Basketball: Juwan Morgan talks NBA Draft, Hoosiers and more

Fresh off of his Indiana Pacers workout, former indiana basketball forward Juwan Morgan had a lot to say to 1070 The Fan.

Following a week in which he had a couple of workouts, former Indiana basketball forward Juwan Morgan spoke on the Dan Dakich Show about the pre draft workouts, his time at Indiana and much more.

With two weeks to go until the NBA Draft, Morgan has been in the gym in front of teams daily, trying to showcase more of his skills.

“I’ve already had five or six [workouts],” said Morgan. “I have about five or six more left. I just need to stick to what I’ve been doing, being able to play off of anyone.”

Which position Morgan would play has always been a knock on his potential NBA game.

At 6-foot-8, he is an undersized center and power forward, playing that specifically in college, and he isn’t necessarily quick enough to guard a wing. Nowadays in the NBA, that is a tough position to scout, because on one end of the floor, you will be giving up something, whether it be height or agility.

Morgan addressed that.

“If we have to talk positions, I see myself as that four, sometimes three role,” Morgan added. “If we are talking about being on the floor, I see myself as that PJ Tucker, Paul Millsap role.”

Though he said he will obviously love any chance he gets to play in the NBA, he definitely has a couple of favorites.

“I would say Utah, Phoenix, Indiana, or Chicago.” said Morgan. “I like how they [Utah] use Cowder. Playing off of big guards in Donovan and Rubio. And one of the best big men in Gobert. Ive never played with a shot blocker really, I’ve always been the shot blocker.”

Morgan isn’t the only Hoosier in the draft pool though.

Freshman Romeo Langford is a projected end of the lottery type player but does have a lot of questions that have gone unanswered surrounding his shooting, attitude, and the wrist injury that went into his depleting shooting stats.

Morgan gave his take on his teammate’s game and how it can translate to the NBA.

“I think it [shot] was affected a lot,” Morgan added. “You can see how he hesitated almost every shot because it would be a pain. So he would always hesitate and start driving.”

“I think he will be the best slasher in the entire class. He can get to the rim better than anyone else I’ve ever been around,” said Morgan. “He has the want to and the tools to be one of the best defenders in the class.”

Morgan also gave his take on Langford’s sometimes passive attitude.

“It may not look likes he’s going hard and giving the maximum effort, but he is.” added Morgan.

What every Indiana fan wants to hear about is what the team will look like going forward.

With a program that hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament since 2016, fans are getting antsy about the future.

Juwan Morgan didn’t have a lot to say in regards to the future of the program, but did put in his opinion when it came to what fans may see next season.

“Expect a team that is so together, the comradery will be way different,” said Morgan. “Damezi is my dark horse for most improved player.”

Damezi Anderson came into Indiana with high expectations as a four-star recruit but got lost in the shuffle a bit this past season, averaging just 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game in 9.6 minutes per game across 21 games.

For Morgan, whether or not he ends up getting drafted this season, he will surely find himself on a G-League roster or an opportunity to play overseas.