Wizards Will Take a Look At 4 Big Men

The Washington Wizards are expected to work out four draft prospects today at Verizon Center: forwards Cedric Simmons , who played two seasons at North Carolina State; James Augustine (Illinois); Damir Markota (Croatia) and Vladimir Veremeenko (Russia).

Simmons, who averaged 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a sophomore last season, is projected to be taken in the top 15. So the interest shown by the Wizards, who hold the 18th and 48th selections in next Wednesday's draft, could indicate that the team is considering moving up in the draft.

Under former North Carolina State coach Herb Sendek , Simmons played in a Princeton-style offense similar to the one used by Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan . Although the 6-foot-10, 235-pound Simmons has been described as offensively raw, he has impressed teams with his defensive energy, rebounding and shot blocking.

The 6-10, 235-pound Augustine averaged 13.6 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior last season while the 6-10 Markota and the 6-10 Veremeenko are two of several international prospects -- most of them big men -- who have worked out for the Wizards. Augustine, Markota and Veremeenko have been projected as second-round selections.

Wizards Note: Guard Jarvis Hayes , who underwent surgery to repair a fractured right kneecap in February, has been cleared to go through basketball drills and plans to be ready for the opening of training camp in October. Hayes has averaged 9.8 points in three NBA seasons but has missed 89 games and two playoff runs with right knee injuries.

"I've been doing a lot of strength work on the leg," said Hayes, who did not undergo surgery after injuring the knee midway through the 2004-05 season. "I took some X-rays and MRIs and the fracture has completely healed so it's time to start getting back in shape. . . . I'll be ready to go in October."

-- Ivan Carter