Critics selling former ASU basketball guard Jahii Carson short

One thing and one thing only is holding back Jahii Carson from being a more sought-after NBA draft pick.

He is short.

It is not his jump shot, his defense or even his left hand, although all could use some refinement. It is that the league has a full-blown case of microphobia (fear of small things) and players of Carson's stature — 5-foot-9 3/4 without shoes — must use the months before the draft convincing teams to look past the preconceptions.

Carson spent Wednesday at US Airways Center trying to do just that. It was his second visit on a whistle stop-like tour of NBA teams.

The Suns liked how he shot the NBA 3-pointer and appreciated how well-conditioned he was.

Carson liked the leadership skills he demonstrated and his ability to defend bigger guards.

Predictions about where he'll go in the June 26 draft vary wildly. Some have him being selected in the late first round. Others don't have him drafted at all. Most mock drafts have him going near the middle of the second round.

To appreciate the odds Carson is fighting, know this: If he is selected, the former Arizona State point guard will be the fifth-shortest player ever drafted, according to ESPN.

"It's always difficult at that size," Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek said. "You've just got to play harder than everybody else and run faster than everybody else and you have a chance."

Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said "usually at that size you have to be very explosive to make it in the NBA. Lucky for him, he is. … We're certainly not a team that dismisses guys on the look test."

The Suns did not allow media to watch workouts, which also featured guards Taylor Braun of North Dakota and Tim Frazier of Penn State; and forwards Josh Huestis of Stanford, Cory Jefferson of Baylor and Patric Young of Florida.

Carson said he shot NBA 3-pointers and participated in transitions drills, which play to his strength.

"We like his quickness," McDonough said. "He can get a shot off really against anybody. (We like) his ability to drive to the basket, his strength. He's also very explosive at that size. He's one of the better leapers we've had in over the past couple years.

"I think that will be Jahii's role, as a scorer, coming in and putting some points on the board. I can't speak for the other 29 teams, but he looked good in our workout today."

It is not the first time the Suns have seen Carson.

They watched him play at ASU, and Carson said he knows Hornacek from the days when Carson played in the same high school basketball summer league as Hornacek's son.

The Suns also were in Los Angeles recently watching Carson and several players compete in a workout set up by a sports agency.

Carson thinks he impressed the Suns and believes his game will translate well to the NBA.

"I'm able to cause havoc both offensively and defensively," he said. There's no three seconds defensively so I'm able to get to the cup. And once I'm in the paint, it's easy for me to find my teammates, so I definitely think that my speed and quickness will translate to the next level."

He's not worried about his size as much as others are.

Only two players under 6 feet were drafted last year and one — the Pelicans' 5-10 Pierre Jackson — spent most of the year in the Developmental League and Europe. The other — the Mavericks' 5-11 Shane Larkin — saw limited action averaging 10.2 minutes and 2.9 points.

No one under 6-0 was drafted in 2012.

There are success stories, too.

Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas (5-9) had the best season of his three-year NBA career in 2013-14, averaging 20.3 points and 6.3 assists. He has started more than 70 percent of the games in his career.

Another former 5-9 Washington Huskies guard, Nate Robinson, has enjoyed an 11-year NBA career and will be remembered for a strong postseason run with the Chicago Bulls in 2013, when he scored 23 points in the fourth quarter of a quarterfinal game against Brooklyn.

There are others, like former Cleveland guard Mark Price, who endured with hard work and is one of only four NBA players to shoot 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the line in a season.

There is a Hall of Famer in 5-9 Calvin Murphy, who had a standout career with the Rockets, primarily in the 1970s, and former Arizona guard Damon Stoudamire (5-10) who posted an impressive rookie season with expansion Toronto, averaging 19 points, before getting lost in the crowd in Portland.

There was Spud Webb at 5-7 who was talented but also played on a bad Sacramento Kings team and was probably most embraced for his dunking ability.

Maybe the best success story of them all is Muggsy Bogues, who was 5-3 but still played 14 years in the NBA.

Success can be found in a smaller package.

There is a lot to like about Carson. Posting a maximum vertical leap of 43.5 inches, which was tied for the best among all prospects at the NBA scouting combine, turned heads.

He has a quick first step and great strength for his size. His instincts are good.

There is reason for concern, too. He didn't improve his sophomore season as much as some expected, and he will need to embrace defense more than he did at ASU.

The NBA will also notice what he accomplished in Tempe: The Sun Devils were 32-5 at home under him. He was not the disruptive force many high school superstars are.

And Wednesday at US Airways Center, he was engaging and thoughtful with the media, revealing a player who can clearly handle the pressure.

"I like the heat," said.

He better. The doubters are out in full force.

Reach Boivin at paola.boivin@ arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/ Paola Boivin. Listen to her on "The Brad Cesmat Show" on sports360az.com Mondays at 10:30 a.m.