Slimmer Big Baby works out for 76ers

Junior forward Glen Davis might have lost some prestige by staying at Louisiana State for an extra year, but he says he's not losing any sleep about his decision. What he has lost is plenty of weight as he prepares for the June 28 NBA draft.

Davis was among four players who worked out yesterday for the 76ers, who will have the 12th, 21st and 30th picks in the first round and the 38th in the second. He could sneak into the end of the first round, and he could interest the Sixers.

After his sophomore season, when LSU earned a trip to the Final Four, Davis was considered a sure first-round pick. He had averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds and been named Southeastern Conference player of the year.

His scoring average did not dip much this season, but his stock apparently did. Davis averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds on a disappointing LSU team that did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.

"People think my stock was higher [after his sophomore season], and it probably was higher, but as a basketball player, I wasn't ready physically or mentally," Davis said.

Physically, he has never looked better. The 6-foot, 9-inch Davis says he has lost 45 pounds and weighs 289.

"I think his body is pretty much unbelievable," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. "And he moved extremely well for a guy his size."

The loquacious Davis will certainly make everyone's all-interview team. This season, he had plenty of practice.

"If I had to do it over again, I would have protected him more, shut down more of the media attention," LSU coach John Brady said yesterday in a telephone interview. "In the long run, that would have been better for him."

But Davis would not make make excuses for his so-called off-season He has not lost one ounce of confidence. His nickname, Big Baby, was given by a peewee football coach because Davis was always crying.

"It's just a name," said Davis, who came down hard on his elbow yesterday after a dunk but continued playing. "It doesn't define who I am on the court."

"People will be pleasantly surprised by his skill level, his foot speed, his ability to pass, catch the ball and shoot," Brady said. "Plus, with his personality, he will fit in well and be a good guy in any NBA locker room."

Notes. The Sixers also worked out Vanderbilt swingman Derrick Byars, Colorado State junior forward-center Jason Smith and Georgia Tech freshman forward Thaddeus Young. "This was a high-level workout," Cheeks said. "They got after it." Young and Smith have not hired agents and could return to college if they withdraw by the June 18 deadline. Smith, who averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, says he has scheduled 16 workouts with NBA teams. . . . Today, the Sixers will bring in Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray, 6-11 center Marko Lekic of Serbia, Southern Cal guard Gabe Pruitt, and Temple guard Dustin Salisbery.