Neitzel’s travel itinerary has been booked solid as he travels from one NBA team to the next to work out for NBA scouts and prove he has the necessary skills to take his game to the professional level.

“I can’t ask for a better opportunity than this, and I’m going to make the most of it,” Neitzel said. “Hopefully, I’ll get out there and impress a team.”

Neitzel began his journey on May 27 at the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando where he competed against other top prospects vying to make an impression on NBA coaches and scouts.

Chris Monter, a top NBA draft analyst from Scout.com, believes Neitzel’s solid performance at the camp drastically improved his chances of being selected in the June 26 NBA draft.

“Drew definitely helped himself and NBA scouts are very familiar with him because he played in a tough conference and because of his NCAA tournament appearances,” he said. “I think he has a really good chance of going in the second round.”

The NBA draft is comprised of two rounds and 60 selections. Only players who’ve been selected in the first round receive guaranteed money.

If Neitzel doesn’t hear his name called on draft day, Monter thinks he can still find a spot on an NBA roster as an undrafted free agent.

“Even if Drew’s not drafted, he will be one of the first people NBA teams call up as a free agent,” he said. “There have been some great players in the league who didn’t get drafted and not getting selected might not be bad because you can find a team that needs your specific skills.”

Since the camp, Neitzel has bounced all over the country, spending roughly a day and a half with each NBA team for which he works out.

“The workouts are really intense and it feels like a job interview,” Neitzel said. “There is a lot of pressure and I’m constantly trying to impress everyone and look better than the other guys.”

While at MSU, Neitzel was a co-captain and often the Spartans go-to guy. He was an All-Big Ten first team selection and the team’s Most Valuable Player his last two seasons.

Mark Montgomery, associate head coach of the men’s basketball team, said he expects Neitzel to build off his impressive collegiate résumé and make an impact in the NBA.

“Drew has shown that he can play with the first-rounders and when you are fighting for one of those last positions, you want to give it all you have,” he said. “He is always doing the right things and I think NBA teams are looking for someone like him to back up their stars.”

The constant traveling has made the workouts tough, but Neitzel said he’s staying focused and working hard every day.

“My agent has done a great job of scheduling workouts in the same areas so it doesn’t take too much of a toll on my body,” he said. “Things have been going really well thus far.”