Sixers hosting draft prospects, including local players

The Sixers will host their first group of players tomorrow in advance of the NBA draft, bringing in a group of forwards.

Among them are two with local ties: Temple's Lavoy Allen and Syracuse's Rick Jackson, from Neumann-Goretti.

Jackson, 6-9, 240, averaged 13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a senior. He was named third-team all-tournament at an invitational showcase in Portsmouth, Va.

Allen, 6-9, 225, averaged 11.6 points and 8.6 rebounds for the Owls.

The Sixers have the 16th and 50th picks in the June 23 draft.

They also are bringing in:

* Florida's Vernon Macklin, 6-9, 245. He averaged 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds.

* Fresno State's Greg Smith, 6-9, 250; 11.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in his sophomore season before declaring for the draft. He also has among the biggest hands seen at the combine.

* Dayton's Chris Wright, 6-8, 214; 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds.

* Tomislav Zubcic, 6-10, 220 and is projected as a small forward. The Croatian averaged 9.0 and 5.1 for his EuroLeague team.

Most in the group are projected as second-rounders or players who will go undrafted.