Introductory news conference for new Suns GM Brian Gregory
The Phoenix Suns hold an introductory press conference for their new general manager, Brian Gregory.
Izan Almansa, a projected NBA draft pick, recently participated in a pre-draft workout with the Phoenix Suns, showcasing his skills against projected first-round pick Danny Wolf.Almansa previously withdrew from the 2024 draft after playing for the G League Ignite.
Izan Almansa believes he more than held his own against Michigan big Danny Wolf.
The Phoenix Suns had Wolf and Almansa participate in a pre-draft workout on May 28 at the team’s practice facility with general manager Brian Gregory in attendance.
“I think it went good,” Almansa said. “An even matchup, I would say.”
Wolf earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in his one season with the Wolverines, as he helped them win the conference tournament and reach the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.
The 7-footer averaged 13.2 points and led the Big Ten in rebounding at 9.7 boards per game. Shooting 49.7% from the field, Wolf connected on 33.6% of his 3s.
On May 28, Almansa battled Wolf, a projected first-round pick, in the pre-draft workout that he said consisted of playing one-on-one, three-on-three, four-on-four and shooting.
“I think I did pretty well,” Almansa said about the workout as he and Wolf participated in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine earlier this month in Chicago. “I felt comfortable playing and we won a lot of games in the 3-on-3. I felt good and I think I played good.”
From Murcia, Spain, the 6-10, 220-pound Almansa (6-9¼ without shoes) said he’s already had pre-draft workouts with the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and has scheduled workouts with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and several more teams.
“The key to everything for me is my motor,” Almansa said. “My IQ. I have a high motor. I get some easy points on the rebounds, running the floor. Using my IQ, I know when to make plays and when to not make plays. When to pass the ball, when to attack the rim.”
The NBA Draft is June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Suns have the 29th overall pick in the first round and the 52nd overall pick in the second round.
Almansa previously visited Phoenix with his family and played a game in the city for Overtime Elite a couple of years ago. He is entering the draft after playing for Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League.
With a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Almansa averaged 6.8 points on 51.1% shooting and 3.94 rebounds in 33 games.
“I think it went well,” Almansa said. “I think I learned a lot, I improved a lot. I didn’t play as much as I wanted to, of course, but I think besides that, it was a good experience. Had a great relationship with the coaches. It felt like a family, you know, I felt I improved a lot. I think it was a good year for me.”
Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, played 24 games for Perth in the 2023-24 season, averaging 9.7 points on 52% shooting and 4.4 rebounds. The Washington Wizards 7-footer was voted NBA All-Rookie first team this season after posting 13 points and 6.5 rebounds in 67 games.
Now, Almansa is looking to make his way to the NBA. The 19-year-old will turn 20 on June 7.
“I think right now, I’m the most prepared I can be so far in my career,” Almansa said. “I think this is the right moment because it’s not like if I was college where I’d have a situation to go back. I feel confident. I tested the draft waters last year, too.”
Almansa stacked up well against big men at this year’s draft combine in terms of metrics. He posted the second-best shuttle run (2.93 seconds) and max vertical leap (34 inches) for centers behind Yanic Konan Niederhauser (2.84 shuttle run and 37-inch max vertical).
Almansa has traveled this pre-draft road before.
He withdrew his name from the 2024 draft following one season with the G League Ignite in which he averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in 32 games (30 starts).
Almansa connected on 55.6% of his field goal attempts, but he only shot 20% from 3.
He’s become more accurate from distance since then.
“I have more confidence in my shooting,” Almansa said. “Every time that I shoot, I know it’s going in. I think that’s where I’ve improved the most. I have way more room for improvement in every aspect of my game, but I would say the shooting is where I’ve improved the most.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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