Carl Krauser appeared to have a good first day in Chicago:
It only took Pitt junior Carl Krauser a few minutes of the first practice session yesterday to show the NBA general managers and scouts, who packed the Solheim Center at Moody Bible Institute, those intangibles that have made him a successful player.
Krauser was one of about 64 players who were invited to participate in the NBA pre-draft camp which began yesterday and will run through Friday. The players were divided into six teams and will compete in a number of drills and scrimmages throughout the week.
During the first team drills, Krauser showed a little of everything Pitt fans have become accustomed to from him — the good and the bad. He was one of the most intense players, a vocal leader and played great defense, grabbing loose balls and rebounding over bigger guys. He also turned the ball over a few times while attempting no-look passes.
“The thing I love about Carl is he is a leader,” said New York Knicks assistant coach Michael Malone, who is serving as the head coach for Krauser’s team this week. “There aren’t many leaders out there. A lot of guys can play the point, but Carl was the floor leader from the time he stepped on the floor.
“This was the first time out there with guys he never played with before and he is already running the team, he is already telling guys where they need to be. And most of all, he has a great enthusiasm for the game and it rubbed off on the rest of the team — everybody was feeding off of Carl.”
In a true sign of someone having a sense of humor, Krauser’s teammates this week include Kevin Pittsnogle of WVU and Chris Thomas from Notre Dame.
As much as Malone was positive about Krauser, he still pays lip service to going back to school. So did former Pitt great, and tragically the Atlanta Hawks GM, Billy Knight.
“For the record, everybody in our organization believes that players who have eligibility remaining should go back to college,” said Michael Malone, an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.
Predictably, Knight, the former Pitt star and current Atlanta Hawks executive vice president and general manager, didn’t give Krauser the NBA vote of confidence he’d like to hear.
“He should take advantage of his college opportunities. That’s what I suggest,” Knight said.
I just don’t know if he’ll be drafted in the 2nd round.
Meanwhile at Hoopsworld.com, their writers’ latest mock drafts put Taft at #12, #24, and off the board.
Final note, Associate Head Coach Barry Rohrssen was named one of the top 25 college basketball recruiters by Rivals.
Continually plucking players out of New York City for the Pittsburgh program, Rohrssen again landed one of the city’s finest in four-star prospect Levance Fields. Two other four-star players, Sam Young and Tyrell Biggs, are part of Pittsburgh’s five-man class.
Pitt is getting the talent. Now to put it to use.
