NBA Draft Prospect Markquis Nowell Wants To Prove Size Doesn’t Matter

Markquis Nowell participated in Wizards pre-draft workouts in hopes of making his mark despite size

Checking in at 5’8, NBA Draft prospect and point guard Markquis Nowell is considered small for his position. However, the Kansas State product is hoping he proved enough in the Wizards pre-draft workout on Saturday to show he has what it takes to be successful in the NBA.

“I wanted to show that I’m able play on a NBA level despite my size,” Nowell shared after his workout. “I have a lot of intangibles that I think I can bring to a team. I’m a good teammate. I’m a hard worker. I’m going to defend whether you’re 5’7 or 7’4. I’m going to go out there and compete and I’m going to bring a winning attitude. That’s what I think I can bring to every organization in the NBA.”

If there is any NBA team that doesn’t have a problem working with smaller guards, it’s the Wizards. Muggsy Bogues (5’3), Earl Boykins (5’5), Isaiah Thomas (5’9) and Michael Adams (5’10) all successfully suited up in a Washington uniform.

In fact, Nowell has been gaining some wisdom from Bogues throughout the pre-draft process.

“He gave me a couple of things. The most important thing is just keep being a good person.” Nowell said when Inside the Wizards staff writer Carita Parks asked what advice from Bogues has stuck with him. “Being a good person is so underrated and it can get you into a lot of doors,  So, he was like just keep being a good person and keep doing what got you here because I made it this far. Don’t try to be nothing I’m not and just continue to keep building and continue to keep growing.

After participating in Wizards pre-draft workouts, Kansas State PG Markquis Nowell (@MrNewYorkCityy) shared with me what he is learning about himself through this process & some advice he received from Muggsy Bogues that has stuck with him: “Just be a good person.” @dbltakesports pic.twitter.com/RkOe5rIi6P

— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) June 3, 2023

While size comes up when assessing Nowell as a prospect, his college accomplishments speak for itself. He holds career averages of 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game in 131 games with Little Rock and Kansas State. 

As a fifth-year senior in 2022-23, Nowell averaged 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game with the Wildcats. He recorded 54 assists in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the third- most in the tournament’s history.

Nowell will continue to make his rounds across the league to try to secure a selection in the NBA Draft on June 22nd. Up next he is headed to workouts with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers.

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