Morgan State graduate Reggie Holmes acknowledges that his chances of being selected in Thursday's NBA draft might be slim, but you would never know it by watching him prepare for the draft.
Every time he steps onto the basketball court, the idea of playing in the NBA is on his mind.
"I've been thinking about it every day. That's why when I work out, I work to my maximum," he said. "I just think that others might not be in the gym when I'm in the gym. I'm just trying to make a dream come true."
Holmes, 6 feet 4 and 180 pounds, has been training with Joe Connelly, a player development specialist who works with athletes in the Maryland area. The training sessions simulate workouts NBA teams put potential draft selections through, doing dribbling and shooting drills while also playing in one-on-one and three-on-three scrimmages.
Connelly has seen improvement from Holmes during the drills.
"I think the first thing is [Reggie's] in much better shape, and obviously in all aspects of the game, that helps," Connelly said. "I think his ball-handling has improved. ÃÂÃÂ And just getting the shot off against a good defense. The guys we have in the workouts are hungry, and everyone is pushing the others to go to the highest levels."
While playing guard for the Bears during his senior season, Holmes averaged a team-high 21.5 points, nearly nine points higher than Morgan's next-highest scorer. His pinpoint shooting has surely caught the eye of NBA scouts, but his lack of size and playmaking ability will likely deter some teams.
"For the next level, he needs to prove that he can play within a system, play without the ball and get scoring opportunities in other ways than just going one-on-one and trying to break down his defender," said Borko Popic, a scout for nbadraft.net. "It wouldn't surprise me if he got drafted in the late second round, but I'm not sure that his game is conditioned for the NBA level."
Popic said it is obvious that Holmes is an aggressive player who does not fear contact.
He also said Holmes is a good shooter, has a good first step and is a good athlete -- but good doesn't cut it in the NBA.
"They're all solid attributes, but not exceptional," he said.
If Holmes -- who has been worked out only by the Washington Wizards -- does not get selected in the 60-pick draft, it could leave him in a better situation than being taken late in the second round.
"If you're undrafted, you can look back with your agent and choose a team that has an opening at the position you play. I think it could be advantageous to not get drafted," Connelly said.
Holmes is preparing for every scenario. If he goes undrafted, he plans to play for a team in the NBA's summer league. If that fails, playing in a European league is an option he has looked into.
Popic believes Holmes could find success across the Atlantic Ocean.
"He definitely does good things that European teams look for," he said. "A guy who's aggressive and can come in and attack. They need game-changers, and he's certainly one of those."
Still, Holmes said there would be no better feeling than hearing his name called while watching the draft at home with his family Thursday night (7 p.m., ESPN).
Getting drafted "would be crazy. I know I'd be big-headed," he said with a laugh. "But I'd continue to work. A lot of guys don't do that."