Stars Will Come Out For Groundbreaking Ceremony

The moment Milwaukee Bucks fans have eagerly anticipated is almost upon them.

On June 18, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-purpose arena will take place at the corner of Fourth Street and Juneau Avenue in downtown Milwaukee. The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.

Bucks fans will now only witness a memorable moment in team history, but they’ll get to rub elbows with a Who’s Who of Bucks legends. Team officials said Oscar Robertson, Sydney Moncrief, Marques Johnson, Bob Dandridge and Jon McGlocklin will be among the former Bucks greats on hand.

Some other notables who are expected to be at the groundbreaking are current Bucks players Jabari Parker and Steve Novak, tri-majority owners Wes Edens, Jamie Dinan and Marc Lasry, former owner Herb Kohl and Wisconsin governor Scott Walker.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, a Bucks Block Party will be held with local musical groups, food vendors and interactive kids games. Fans will also have the opportunity to sign one of the first foundation piles that will be used during the construction of the arena.

Baldwin workout on hold

The Bucks are still attempting to bring in Wade Baldwin for a workout.

Baldwin, a talented 6-foot-4 combo guard from Vanderbilt, has been sidelined in recent weeks with an injury but is expected to return to the court soon. Baldwin is one of the X-factors in the draft, with some teams projecting him as a mid-first round selection and others tabbing him as an early second-round choice.

The Bucks are also hoping to get an up-close look at Kevin “Yogi’’ Ferrell, the former Indiana University standout point guard. For reasons unknown, Ferrell was passed over for the recent Chicago pre-draft camp. But he has auditioned for several teams in the last two weeks and made a favorable impression.

“I like him,’’ said an NBA general manager, whose team worked out Ferrell. “He makes shots; he’s smart; he understands the game and he knows how to compete. I think he’ll go in the second round. He has a chance to make the league.’’

Quick hits

• The Bucks have three draft picks, but with their roster saturated with so many young players already, look for them to move one or both of their second-round picks. There has been some chatter the Bucks would like to package their Nos. 36 and 38 picks for a late first-round pick.
• Former Marquette University standout Henry Ellenson, who told me last week he expects to work out for the Bucks, will do so next week. Also, expected to be in Milwaukee next week is ex-Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson.
• There are rumors Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere will not work out anymore for teams picking after 10, which is where the Bucks currently reside.  Does Labissiere and his agents have a “promise’’ to be taken in the top 10? Or, as some NBA officials point out, are they concerned about some possible Labissiere back and knee issues?
• It’s no secret the Philadelphia 76ers covet another high pick and are shopping Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. If successful, the Sixers appear to have their sights on drafting either combo guard Jamal Murry of Kentucky or point guard Kris Dunn of Providence.
• An NBA scouting official on rumors the Bucks might select forward Timothe Luwawu of France with the 10^th pick: “I hope they take him. That means a better player will drop to us.’’ The scouting director, whose team picks shortly after the Bucks, projects Luwawu being picked anywhere from 20 to 30.