Anthony Ireland, Despite Challenges, Embracing the Draft Process

March 6, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions guard Anthony Ireland (3) dribbles against the Portland Pilots during the second half of the WCC Basketball Championships at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In the grand scheme of things, the odds of making it to the highest stage of professional basketball are not in Anthony Ireland’s favor. Typically, 5-10 point guards who were two-star prospects coming out of prep school and played at a mid-major school in a niche conference have not made it to the NBA.

Despite following an unorthodox path, Ireland has put himself into a position to reach those aforementioned heights.

Ireland has been tirelessly working on his game, making sure he will be able to make the transition to the next level. Specifically, the facet of his game that Ireland said he has focused on the most is conditioning.

“I’m in the best shape of my life right now,” Ireland said. “I realized throughout this whole process once my conditioning is top-notch, my basketball play goes to a whole different level.”

Scoring was never a problem for Ireland while at LMU – his 18.7 points per game his senior year is a testament to that, so he has made defense a priority as well in his draft preperations.

“At the next level I have to be a pest on the ball,” Ireland said.

Those two aspects of the game, according to Ireland, need to come together for Ireland to take the next step as a basketball player.

“Once those two things come around like they have been throughout this whole process, I can give myself a really good shot,” Ireland said.

The workout process has not been easy, according to Ireland. Ireland said the workout process is a complete grind that can take a physical toll on the body.

“You’re flying here, flying there, flying to different showcases, different camps, and all different kinds of workouts,” Ireland said. “It can take a toll on your body. You can easily get frustrated with the process.”

Nonetheless, Ireland is staying optimistic, despite not knowing what to expect day-to-day.

“You really don’t know what to expect, you just have to live in the moment and take it day by day,” Ireland said. “You just have to stay positive.”

Ireland said that the two Staples Center tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, have been the two teams he has primarily worked out for. The 76er’s have taken a look at him as well.

“I’m in the best shape of my life right now”

Although there are a lot of top talent at those workouts, Ireland is pleased with the way he has fared.

“I was paired up with some pretty high-caliber guys, and I more than held my own,” Ireland said.

Ireland has been preparing for this moment for quite some time. According to Ireland, his time at LMU and the style of play he became accustomed to prepped him for the NBA.

Feb. 9, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions guard Anthony Ireland (3) brings the ball down court during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

“At LMU, all four years our offense consisted of pick and rolls. “I really developed into a pick-and-roll type player and that’s pretty much all the NBA consists of,” Ireland said. “In the workouts, that’s the aspect I really excel in; reading and splitting the pick and rolls and being able to make good decisions.”

The men behind the LMU system have also been integral in the draft process for Ireland, particularly former assistant coach Myke Scholl, who is now at Long Beach State. Ireland said he has worked out with Scholl every day of the week. Former head coach Max Good and former LMU assistant coach Chris Farr, now an assistant with Denver Nuggets, have also been there to give Ireland advice throughout the process.

The grind is about to come to a screeching halt with the draft scheduled to take place on Thursday. Ireland likes his chances, whether it’s being drafted, signing as an undrafted free-agent or making it based on a summer league performance.

“At the end of the day it’s all going to work out,” Ireland said. “I put in a tremendous amount of work and I truly believe in my skills and the people who prepared me for this. At the end of the day I feel like I’ll be playing in the NBA,” Ireland said.