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SALT LAKE CITY — Former BYU guard Alex Barcello knows where he stands among the NBA prospects heading into this month's draft.
"Realistically, I'm probably not a lottery pick," he said with a laugh.
Barcello isn't expected to be picked on June 23, but that hasn't allowed him to stop his NBA dreams. In fact, he's used that to fuel them.
"I'm gonna have to work hard and earn everything that I get," he said.
Barcello, who averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his final year in Provo, has gone around the country auditioning for NBA teams with the hopes of sparking some interest at the game's highest level. That tour brought him back to Utah on Tuesday for a workout with the Utah Jazz.
Former Weber State, Utah State, Wasatch Academy guard Koby McEwen also took part in the workout.
Barcello previously worked out for the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.
"It means the world to me just because I've got a lot of people here that I love in Utah, and it feels good to be back here near the mountains," the Arizona native said. "So I'm excited that they invited me in for a workout and I'm excited to see what comes from it."
Barcello already has some things to be excited about this summer: There's the draft workouts, a likely spot on a summer league roster, and the little fact he's getting married at the end of July. He credits his fiance, Zoe Simpson, and his family for helping him stay on top of everything.
"I'm just happy that I have people like my fiance, Zoe, and my sisters and my mom that I can count on and lean on to help me through this process," he said. "And whether that's waking up early in the morning at 5:30 this morning, talking to my fiance, just getting my mind right for this workout. She does it every workout.
"I'm so thankful for her and for people like that around me that can help just keep me motivated; and that's why I do this, that's why I'm doing this. Hopefully I can make it to this league on one of these teams and just continue to grow from there."
When it comes to his growth on the court, Barcello said he's been working on his pace and being able to control things at a higher tempo than what he played in college. Defensively, he said he's trying to find a niche that will allow him to compete against the best players in the world.
Barcello shot 42% from 3-point range during his senior season — the type of shooting that is valuable at all levels. He said he shot the ball "decently" during Tuesday's workout.
And while he isn't projected to be selected in the draft, Barcello likes the position he's in.
"I've never been handed anything my entire life, so I think I'm in the perfect spot to show what I got," he said. "Because I've always had to prove myself wherever I went and at whatever level that was at, so why not do it here at the highest level?"
