Reading · Rob Gray's Area

ANKENY — OK, it’s been a while since I posted, but this is my slow time of the year, so I’ll be back to writing here on a weekly basis once football season kicks in. Promise. Plus all of my posts are free to all — I just humbly ask folks, first they are able, to give me a “tip” for my overall work via a paid subscription of some sort here.

Joshua Jefferson in action. Photo by Jeff Spaur/Cyclones.com

But enough about first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers’ Cyclones.

It’s NBA Draft week and at least one ISU player (versatile forward Joshua Jefferson) will almost certainly hear his name called on Tuesday (ABC, ESPN) or Wednesday (ESPN) night.

“Jefferson is one of the top processors in this draft,” CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter writes in his mock draft story that has Jefferson going to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 29th pick in the first round. “The 6-foot-9 burly forward is pound-for-pound as good a passer as anybody, and Jefferson's jumper has improved every single season. Jefferson isn't some jump-off-the-tape athlete, but the basketball IQ, passing and defense form a connective tissue that all good teams have.”

When I last talked to Jefferson, he was despondent, unable to recover from a severe ankle injury sustained in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That didn’t prevent the Cyclones from routing Kentucky — Milan Momcilovic’s new team, ironcially enough — in the round of 32, but Tennessee’s size and skill proved to be too powerful to overcome in the Sweet 16 sans Jefferson.

“It’s hard,” he said, tears flowing. “You always want to be out there.”

Now the Las Vegas native’s heading to the next level. I wish my Celtics would take him.

As for Lipsey … there’s a chance he could sneak into the Draft, as well. That seemed highly unlikely until recently, but he’s worked out for several NBA teams and — as usual —is making a big impression with his trademark “Tamin plays.”

“I think the most important thing is taking care of your body, ‘cause these workouts are a grind, especially the flights going from city to city, or if you have a back-to-back workout,” Lipsey said a couple weeks ago after working out for the Golden State Warriors. “So most importantly, just taking care of your body so you can be fresh and ready for each workout, but besides that, just being who you are.”

Every Cyclones fan knows who Lipsey is. Tough. A grinder. Lethaly quick and stealthy on both ends of the floor. He’s not tall and he’s battled injuries, but he’s also as healthy as he’s ever been, so don’t bet against him carving out a solid career as a backup.

Tamin Lipsey posing for a pic in the ISU football tailgate lots with my wonderful mother-in-law, Becky Rike. Photo by me.

“I’m attacking each workout the same way with just being who I am, who I’ve been, over my whole basketball career, especially at Iowa State,” Lipsey said. “I’m a winner.”

No doubt. Now I’m heading back to the garden and my own summer workout. Thanks, as always, for reading, subscribing and sharing!

I’m SO PROUD (nod to Paul Rhoads) to be a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please peruse the illustrious and extensive list below and subscribe and support as you’re able. Thanks!