Every organization is scrambling for the last scraps of information on the 2024 NBA Draft class leading up to the June 26-27 event. The NBA Draft Combine was the first chance front offices got a hands-on look at the prospects but pre-draft workout season is now in full swing. Tulane's Kevin Cross Jr. has been making cross-country jaunts in pursuit of making NBA dreams a reality.
Thankfully, the Pelicans brought Cross Jr. in for a workout close to his college home to kick off the latest journey. The constant travel is just part of the job but the love of the game was sparked early.
“Going out to the court at like four years old and starting trying to stop the six and seven-year-olds…I knew I loved it…Been doing everything I can to keep do it too,” Cross Jr. explained.
Striving for success through basketball is how both motivations and frustrations were channeled. Cross Jr.'s competitive and energetic spirit has shown through ever since first stepping on a court. However, it was not an easy path to the training facilities of the Pelicans, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers. There are more private workouts scheduled now but the Little Rock, AR native had exactly zero offers going into a senior year at Mills University Studies High.
None as a two-time all-state selection in Arkansas? The statement seemed almost out of place after a storied NCAA career. Cross Jr. hit NBA radars after transferring from Nebraska to Tulane as one of the Big 12's best freshmen. No offers going into senior year was hard to believe but that was the reality coming from an underappreciated part of the country as far as hoops are concerned. Arkansas had two players (Austin Reaves, Bobby Portis Jr.) on the last Team USA squad after all.
“I did not have one offer going into my senior year,” Cross Jr. stressed. “Not a Juco. Not D3, a D2, nothing. My advice to anyone dreaming of being in this position is to keep working. Don't get discouraged. That's giving in to defeat. I got it out the mud. Found a shot and stuck with it. But you got to get fighting, keep working to get better.”
Pelicans helped keep mileage down
Now? The frequent flier miles are starting to add up for Cross Jr. as the pre-draft schedule fills up. At least Drew Kelso (One Motive Sports) was able to arrange for him to start in New Orleans before going to Los Angeles and then Orlando.
“These cross-country flights are different,” the soon-to-be NBA pro laughed. “They can take a lot out of you. A bit different than college travel. Just have to stay ready. Any team wanting to schedule a workout and I got an open slot, have to take that shot to show teams what I can do.”
It's a grueling process but also another chance to soak in all of the perks. All prospects get asked about their favorite teams and players growing up. Getting a peek behind the scenes left the very loyal Kobe Bryant fan with an out-of-this-world feeling for a few moments in Hollywood.
“Favorites? The Lakers and Kobe. Grew up with them,” Cross Jr. replied. “I'm a big Kobe fan and so to walk into their facility for a workout and see Rob Pelinka. Like, I dreamed of this. Getting to hoop in the same gym as Kobe and a chance to get picked up by the Lakers. For them to be interested, it's just a dream.”
Professional work ethic seeks Prove-It deal
There is no preference when it comes to an NBA home, just a promise to make the investment count. Cross Jr. scored in double digits in all but five games last season. He is a consistent bucket, gets to the right spots, and knows how to stick to his role in the game plan. The soon-to-be 22-year-old's character and work ethic demonstrated through basketball would translate well to any career after college.
Cross Jr. was refining those traits for years before anyone noticed. No one makes it this far without a little guidance, however. The three coaches who earned Cross Jr.'s appreciation and respect over the years got a shoutout before the question was even completed.
“Raymond Cooper, Shaun Reynolds, and Coach Mock.”
Cooper and Reynolds got Cross Jr. through the high school hoops circuit. Sean Mock has been with Tulane since 2019 but first started recruiting Cross Jr. during stints with Henderson State and Georgia State. Cross Jr. first attended Nebraska as a freshman but stuck it out for three seasons with the Green Wave, giving the program a “commitment that is highly commendable” in today's transfer portal era per one scout who watched Cross Jr. this season.
Kevin Cross Jr. keeping it real
Cross Jr. is realistic, knowing full well where draft pundits have slotted him in this class. He wasn't the AAC's 2022 Most Improved Player Award recipient for nothing though. The daily grind to improve will not change in the weeks leading up to NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas. Someone is going to give him a chance to stand out in Sin City. Even a shot on a two-way deal would be a blessing.
Regardless of the contract mechanism initially used, some team will get more three-point shooting floor spacing than they bargained for as well. Cross Jr. is getting up hundreds of shots per day after having to do a lot of dirty work down low in college. That sweat equity is bound to pay off sooner rather than later.
“My three-point shooting has been a big focus so far. Because of our offense, I didn't get to shoot as many but these last few weeks I've been showing I can hit those shots. I've been working on long contested threes, catch and shoots, one dribble pops, things like that.”
When asked about the moments that made all those hours of practice and sticking it out with Tulane worthwhile, Cross Jr. laughed with a call back to an old Lebron James and Kobe Bryant Nike commercial.
“My triple-doubles. Really the one with six steals against Furman (ed. note: along with a 25-12-12 line in a double-overtime win),” shared Cross Jr. “When you playing that good and everything is working, it's one of the greatest feelings. No matter what happens, can't take that away.”
Cross Jr. has a solid foundation and a well-rounded, intentionally selected supporting cast to help the transition to pro ball. No one can take away the memories, but that's hindsight. Looking forward, it's easy to see why an NBA team would be giving the multifaceted talent a call with a contract very soon.
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