The Wizards took a step forward in their draft preparation by scouting six players on Thursday at the Verizon Center, according to The Washington Times.

President Ernie Grunfeld and other team officials evaluated C.J. Giles of Oregon, Tennessee-Martin's Lester Hudson, Darnell Jackson of Kansas, Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo, Marreese Speights of Florida, and Rider's Jason Thompson.

"It was exciting," Pargo said. "There's a great atmosphere here in Washington, a great tradition of excellence here. We got out there and tried to play our hearts out."