The big gamble: BYU's Plaisted hoping to go high in 2nd round of NBA Draft

Trent Plaisted presented a humble face Tuesday following a rigorous workout with the Utah Jazz.

That face also dripped sweat, and his shirt was soaked.

Two days before the NBA Draft, Plaisted says he's ready to accept his fate in professional basketball. It comes Thursday, three months removed from his last game in a BYU uniform at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., during the NCAA's first round.

Plaisted told reporters he acknowledges he is looked at as a raw talent, that he doesn't have an outside jump shot, but he has no regrets about casting his lot with the NBA and he's hoping for the best come Thursday. "We'll see what happens," he said.

Tuesday's Jazz workout was Plasited's final of a dozen around the league which has taken him from coast to coast. He admitted returning to Utah's altitude had an impact on him and late in the workout he lost a battle with some orange juice he'd consumed prior to the test supervised by Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan.

"This one was OK," Plaisted said. "I burned out a little too quick. That isn't characteristic of me but overall I thought it was a pretty good day."

Teams that have worked out Plaisted include Cleveland, Boston, New Orleans, Golden State, Houston, San Antonio and Seattle.

"The first one I was pretty jumpy but as they go on you kind of realize, sure you want to kill every workout, but some go better than others. You just have to see how a team evaluates it."

Plaisted is aware of criticism and doubt in his NBA chances and those who have second-guessed his decision to leave BYU after his junior year.

He is also objective about his limitations and has tried to put on his best show in workouts.

"I've never proclaimed myself to be a jump shooting Dirk Nowitzki-type of player. That's not my strength at this time. But I do have some things you can't teach and that's my athleticism and ability to run the floor.

"I'm in the middle of it and there is no turning back now."

Plaisted's gamble could pay off if he is drafted. If he goes high in the second round, he could make some money as a power forward or center.

"I hope so. I'm not going to guarantee anything. It's a process you go through and you do so believing you made the right decision. There are no second thoughts for me. BYU is a great place and the coaches did a great job and I love my teammates, but his is the right decision for me and the right time."