By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHICAGO - Donald Little came to the NBA pre-draft camp this week with plenty of questions attached to his name.

None is more pressing than those centered around his attitude and maturity level.

Little's history of legal problems isn't lost on any of the teams evaluating him this week, but they wanted to see if Little had matured after spending a year playing basketball in Turkey. The former University of Cincinnati player averaged 6.0 points and 2.0 blocks over three games here.

But he also has a June 24 sentencing date for aggravated assault.

"You can see an obvious maturity about him," said Orlando Magic assistant coach Johnny Davis. "He's not in disarray out there. He spent that year overseas, and it seems to have really helped him."

Little, 25, is scheduled to work out with the Magic prior to the June 26 draft. He says he improved his offensive game in Turkey last season to go with the defensive prowess he learned at UC. This week, however, his defense was on display, as Little was the most formidable shot blocker at the camp.

Little didn't get much chance to show off his offensive ability because of the nature of the camp in which every player is trying to show the scouts what he can do. That often results in quick shots by the ballhandler, which Little wasn't in most cases, because he played center.

He played steadily on both ends of the court without making a turnover during the camp. For those who questioned whether Little had improved, he provided evidence that his game is in order.

"He's really helped himself here," Davis said. "Defensively, he made you notice him, and people are very aware of him now."

What teams don't want is someone with a lot of baggage. That's where Little's past could become his biggest problem.

"Life is full of chances, and sometimes you've got to gamble," Little said. "I was in the wrong place for a time, and I have to grow from it. I'm hoping I can go in the second round."

WEST OUT OF WORKOUTS: David West arrives today for the final day of the pre-draft camp without having completed a workout for an NBA team yet.

West, a National Player of the Year this season at Xavier, pulled his quad muscle 10 days ago in his first workout with the Phoenix Suns, said his agent, Jeff Austin. West pulled the quad during sprinting exercises at the beginning of the workout and was unable to continue. He also could not go through his next scheduled workout with Golden State.

"He's feeling a lot better now," Austin said. "He'll be able to start working out after the camp."

West is among a group of highly rated players who did not need to play at the four-day camp. Today he will be measured and will speak to the media at a press conference. He will work out with Chicago on Tuesday and Milwaukee on Wednesday.

As a 6-foot-9 forward in college, it is important for West to get in quality workouts with teams that might have questions about his ability to play small forward in the NBA.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com