DEMATHA'S DAVID ADKINS WORKS OUT MICHAEL BEASLEY BEFORE NBA DRAFT

By Ryan Mink
rmink@digitalsports.com

When Michael Beasley walks to the podium today at the NBA draft, puts on a hat and holds up a jersey, he can thank many people from the Washington D.C. area.

Beasley was born in Frederick, Md., and played for the Prince George’s Jaguars AAU team before moving onto DC Assault. He attended high school locally at Bowie High School, National Christian Academy and Riverdale Baptist.

And over the past several weeks, Beasley has cemented another name on that list. That would be DeMatha assistant coach David Adkins.

On an ESPN online video called “The Rookie: Episode 2,” Beasley is shown being worked out by Adkins in DeMatha’s Hyattsville gym. The workouts were designed to simulate pre-draft workouts for the Chicago Bulls (who own the first pick in the draft) and the Miami Heat (who own the second). But it’s hard to imagine a workout tougher than Adkins’.

“You would think that after a while workouts would get easier,” Beasley said in the video. “But not with him. I ain’t never seen anybody with so many different workouts. … He won’t let you slack. And that’s why I like Coach Adkins so much. He brings the best out of you every day.”

Adkins, who is heading into his third year at DeMatha after seven years at Montrose Christian, has known Beasley since the former Kansas State star freshman was in seventh grade. Cutis Malone, Beasley's former AAU coach, set up the workouts, which have occurred 15 to 18 times over the past several weeks.

Adkins says his workouts no-nonscense. In the video he is seen calling out phrases such as, “The better shape you’re in the better player you are!”, “Take your anger out on the rim!”, and “Rip the rim! Be a beast!” The workout, without exaggeration completely wore out the potential NBA star, who also visited his former high schools over the past few weeks leading up to the draft.

“I just feel that so far it’s preparing me pretty well,” Beasley said in the video. “It’s got me set up in a situation I never thought possible. … We were in there for three hours, like three whole hours. Not two hours and 49 minutes or two hours and 59 minutes. We were in there for three whole hours. He wouldn’t stop. I think I only got two water breaks. That’s torture.”

Beasley had come from and hour-and-half weight-lifting session before meeting Adkins for the filmed workout. That made Beasley's athleticism even more apparent to Adkins.

“Mike is a perfectionist when he works out," Adkins said. "If he hasn’t done the drill prior he wants to master it. Mike is super-talented, but he also knows how to work. ... [The workouts] make kids step out of their comfort zone. Mike was frustrated and upset because we worked that hard. But he came back that next day.”

Adkins also worked out fomer Montrose Christian star and current Seattle Supersonics forward Kevin Durant for last year's NBA draft. But for as much pride as Adkins takes in working out some of the world's best basketball players, he truly values his time working with 10 and 11-year-olds.

“A lot of guys won’t or can’t teach it," Adkins said. "I love being in the gym and teaching kids how to catch, pass and shoot – the basics. I love the opportunity to get in front of a kid and emphasize life skills. ... I build a relationship for a lifetime. It’s not just for now or that he’s just a pro. I’m pretty consistent with it and I really pride myself on putting as much time as I can on developing kids.”

Adkins is currently at the University of Texas helping more players and learning himself. He is going to work out Durant, who is in summer school at Texas, on Friday. He doesn't know where he will watch Thursday's draft and like everyone else doesn't know where Beasley will land, but he doesn't know one thing.

“Whoever makes that choice, I know they’re going to get a fine player for many years to come," Adkins said. “Am I excited for him? Yeah. But it’s about getting up tomorrow and getting into the gym.”

Check out The Rookie: Episode 2 here