How a gutsy predraft workout with the Cavs helped Jaylon Tyson become the No. 20 pick in NBA Draft 2024


https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2024/06/how-a-gutsy-pre-draft-workout-with-cavs-helped-jaylon-tyson-become-no-20-pick-in-2024-nba-draft.html

During the lengthy predraft process, which is controlled by agents more than ever before these days, Cleveland attempted to get higher-profile players in town for face-to-face meetings and on-court sessions. But many of them declined.

Tyson didn't.

He wanted to compete even at less than full strength, with the possibility of hurting his draft stock. A back injury suffered a few days earlier in a previous workout with another team forced Cavs trainer Steve Spiro to ask Tyson whether he even wanted to participate. He was clearly hobbled. Everyone could tell. But the rugged 21-year-old gutted through and put on a show.

He did everything in that workout," Gansey boasted. "He was getting every rebound. He was making every play. He was making shots. He was defending.

"It was by far the best workout of any guy we had in here. The workouts are a little piece to the puzzle. We're not like, 'Hey, we're drafting him because he had a great workout.' Obviously, we've seen him for three years. But that did help.

"When the workout started, he couldn't move. His mental toughness and fight to play through things showed."

Thanks for posting. Great find.

The talk about character is reflected as well in JT's draft party. Look at how many folks he had there to celebrate with him…and not at some fancy lake, but at a gym! Love that so many wanted to be there and all were rewarded…none more so than JT himself.

Though we only had him for one year, there is a similarity between him and Jorge. Ballers both. Go Bears!

I didn't want to post until after the draft but was worried that the legs issue would result in a second round pick for Tyson. He went down several times last year with cramping or soreness or something else. To find out he had back issues in training, too, would have seemed like a pretty clear sign that a high pick would be a huge gamble. Glad Cleveland was willing to take the gamble, and hope JT keeps getting stronger. He's a rare talent.

bearsandgiants said:

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I didn't want to post until after the draft but was worried that the legs issue would result in a second round pick for Tyson. He went down several times last year with cramping or soreness or something else. To find out he had back issues in training, too, would have seemed like a pretty clear sign that a high pick would be a huge gamble. Glad Cleveland was willing to take the gamble, and hope JT keeps getting stronger. He's a rare talent.

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Agree, could be diet and wellness related, which should be entirely fixable. Also could be related to the same thing over exertion, hydration, and electrolytes. He likely needs a good bit of extended rest that he hasn't been able to get wince he's been on a warpath to the league. I hope the organization or one of the senior guys that has a good program and trainer takes him under their wing.