NBA Draft 2023: Princeton star Tosan Evbuomwan working out for teams in pursuit of ultimate dream

Tosan Evbuomwan didn’t start playing organized basketball in the United Kingdom until he was 15. His father sent Tosan’s highlight tape to all the Ivy League schools and only Princeton reached out.

Now after a stellar career at Princeton capped by a storybook run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Evbuomwan is close to realizing his ultimate dream.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Newcastle, England has recently worked out with the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and is working out this week for the L.A. Clippers and Washington Wizards. He has 18 total workouts scheduled.

Before being selected to play in the NBA Combine after excelling at the G League Camp last month in Chicago, he worked out for the Celtics, Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons.

“[I’m trying to show] my strengths and the way I play the game, kind of selfless, high IQ player,” he told reporters after his Jazz workout June 3. “I look to get others involved and how dynamic I can be on both ends and [I have] an improving jump shot.”

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Evbuomwan is not currently projected to be selected in the June 22 NBA Draft at Barclays Center, but he could wind up on a Two-Way Contract or sign with a team as a free agent. He is repped by agent George S. Langberg, the Founder & CEO of GSL Sports Group.

“He’s really good, talented, long, can shoot,” one NBA scout said at the Combine. “Can pass. Can put the ball on the floor and make a play.”

This past season he averaged 15.1 points on 52% shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists for a Princeton team that won the Ivy League Tournament in Jadwin Gym, and then stunned No. 2 Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and No. 7 Missouri in the second round before falling to No. 6 Creighton in the Sweet 16.

Princeton coach Mitch Henderson compares his star to former NBA player Boris Diaw and a little bit to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.

“People love him,” Henderson said last month in a phone interview. “He thrives in the 5-on-5s. His feel, his passing, his versatility, that’s his superpower and what the people are realizing is how much he’s a winner, that’s what he’s great at. But what he’s really great at is making others around him so much better. The people that love him are absolutely in love with him and they can’t get enough.”

Princeton hasn’t had a player drafted since Craig Robinson in the fourth round in 1983, and before that Armond Hill was the No. 9 overall pick in 1976.

“It would mean a lot to our program,” Henderson said. “And it’s a testament to where we got in the tournament this year and the value of a great generational player like Tosan and the effect that he’s had on the university and on our program. It would mean a lot to not just us, but to everybody that supports Princeton.”

He would also be among a small group of English players to make the NBA if he did so.

“it would be really cool for the younger generation to see it’s possible,” he said, “so it would mean a lot.”