Former Gopher Cobbs' workout brings back memories

Former Gophers guard Justin Cobbs returned to Minnesota for Saturday's pre-draft workout at Target Center, four years after he transferred after one season spent in the Big Ten.

Cobbs played little during his freshman season for Tubby Smith, then transferred back home to California and played the next three seasons at Cal.

Now he's a 6-3, 195-poind point guard who called himself Saturday all grown up.

He said he'd bring defense and leadership if the Wolves decided to use one of their three second-round picks on him.

"I'm a senior so I'm a leader," he said. "I've been in tough situations before. I've been yelled at before. I've been all around the block, so I've experienced everything. I think I'm ready to take constructive criticism and take it in a positive manner."

He arrived Friday after working out for the Wizards in Washington and is headed back to Las Vegas, his pre-draft base, this afternoon for a few days' rest before hitting the road for more workouts in advance of the June 26 draft.

"It's great to be back," Cobbs said. "A lot of memories here. Just seeing different things, seeing downtown again, seeing Target Center. It's good to be back."

Cobbs, 23, was part of a six-man workout Saturday morning that included Michigan State stretch power-forward Adreian Payne and UCLA's Kyle Anderson, a 6-9 player who can play point guard or point forward.

Payne is the first real candidate for the 13th overall pick whom the Wolves have brought to town. Expect them to consider guys like Michigan guard Nic Stauskas, Creighton's Doug McDermott and Kentucky's James Young if any or all of them are still there on draft night.

"I think what a lot of people are looking for and what I'm working on is showing I can hit the three," Payne said. "I think I showed it today."

Asked if he's a little like Kevin Love -- the guy he could replace -- in that way, Payne said, "I really don't watch a lot of basketball, but he is a great player. I'm just trying to get better."

When asked to compare himself to a current NBA player, Payne suggested Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka because Ibaka can stretch defenses with his shooting, blocks shots and defend inside.