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Must Reads
Just when we thought the Spurs were trimming their roster, they make another signing.
Per the official press release:
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed forward Julian Washburn. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
Washburn, 6-8/210, recently concluded a four-year career at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where he averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34.2 minutes over 130 career games. He finished first in school history in total minutes (4,448), fourth in field goals (592) and sixth in scoring (1,526 points).
UTEP's SB Nation blog, Miner Rush, did a great job of profiling him before the NBA Draft. Here are some excerpts:
Washburn was one of the best (if not the best *homer disclaimer*) shut down and on ball defenders in college basketball the past three seasons...
His best asset is his great footwork. It's rare you will see Washburn get burned or crossed up while in a stance, and he never gets forced out of a defensive stance, his active wingspan also causes trouble for smaller guards.
He can guard positions 1-4 in the college game, and is a sneaky shot blocker with his length and anticipation skills.
This is encouraging:
His mid-range game is something of an art when he is in the zone. He has a text book form, and ... [he] has a very high basketball IQ.
As for what he needs to work on:
Consistency and confidence in his offensive game... [He] is an inconsistent outside shooter at this point in his career... [and] developing confidence in doing that consistency is his next step in taking his offensive game to the next level.
Then there's my favorite part:
There have been comparisons to Bruce Bowen, and its fairly just.
Relentless defensive effort, with superb footwork, and skill is what you're getting with Washburn, as well as a guy who has the ability to fill up box scores with a good shooting night.
There's no telling how long Washburn will be with the Spurs. And if he does stick, it's likely that he'll spend a good deal of this year in Austin. But it's been a while since there have been rumblings about the next Bruce Bowen around these parts. I look forward to see what he looks like in Silver and Black.