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June 1, 2007

After seeing some reports killing Gray early in the week, it seems he has been among the most consistent performers at Orlando.

Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray is the only player in Orlando who is averaging more than six rebounds and 14 points per game. Gray has posted averages of 15.5 points and seven rebounds in his two games to date, with another game this afternoon.

That naturally has the revisions going on how Gray has looked at the camp and his draft status. At the very least, the concession is that he hasn’t slid in the draft projections.

Aaron Gray had yet another solid performance here today, following up on his good performance yesterday, and he’s thus far succeeded in not hurting his stock here at the camp, though not really improving it much either. Gray got all his scores coming off post-ups and pick-and-rolls, getting to the basket and hitting a lay-up or going to the line, or by settling for a turnaround jumper from about five feet away from the basket.

Gray had two very nice back-to-the-basket plays on the game, one coming on a turnaround jumper off the glass from five feet out, and the other coming on a fake spin one way into a spin back the other, where he laid the ball perfectly in the basket after spending just a second with his eye on the hoop, showing good awareness of where he was with the ball.

Gray scored 16 points of 5-9 shooting and a stunning 6-7 of FTs.

Apparently, a lot of teams and people watching this are still most impressed that Gray has slimmed down further (Insider subs.)

Gray probably will move up a few spots in the draft just by showing up to camp in great shape. His body is clearly more chiseled, his abs ripped and his stamina better than at Pittsburgh.

He put up a very solid performance on both ends of the floor — though he was lacking much in the way of competition.

Again, being in such great shape, in preparation for the NBA draft camp goes a ways to showing NBA scouts and people how serious and willing to work hard Gray is.

Pittsburgh center Aaron Gray continued to show off his streamlined physique and bulked-up offensive game. After delivering 15 points and nine rebounds Wednesday, Gray returned with a 16-point, five-rebound effort Thursday. Gray has shown scouts that he has a traditional big man’s power game, muscling up shots close to the basket while also being active on both backboards. Gray has been a bigger presence in the lane than he was when I saw him during the season for the Panthers.

Over at Hoopsworld, they have several writers offering takes and reporting on players.

One current NBA assistant coach had this to say: “Everyone wants to talk about what he can’t do, but he’s an NBA player.” The scout noted that he will likely be a late first round or early second round selection which was right about where most people had him slotted before he came to camp.

At 7’ 270 pounds, Gray provides the presence in the middle that so many teams are after. But don’t look for Gray on a running team. He isn’t the fastest big man out there — “He is what he is,” said one scout — but another assistant coach contends that he can succeed with the right guards getting him the ball inside.

You know, I know I mentioned Eastern Conference teams would likely grab him, but I could also see him working in the Spurs system.





I thought Gray’s flab was one of his biggest assets. Any pics of his ripped abs?

When I see Zydrunas Ilgauskas play, I think Gray might be able to have some NBA success. But Z has a jump shot too.

Comment by bill 06.01.07 @ 10:09 pm

And if he was so committed to winning it all for Pitt, why didn’t he slim down pre-season?

Comment by steve 06.02.07 @ 7:28 am

Steve,

Gray’s conditioning improved each season. He was still a student and had other activities and responsibilities.

Now, he had nearly 8 weeks of nothing but getting ready for the draft — conditioning, monitoring diet, practicing. All with direct oversight and one-on-one assistance.

It is a different situation, where there is only so much a Pitt training and conditioning program can offer.

Comment by Chas 06.02.07 @ 8:44 am

Chas,

I appreciate your need to supply us with Pitt related stories, but this man-love for Gray is getting to be a bit much…Gray was a nice kid, but other than that he was just a really tall kid who couldn’t dunk. Gray still could never hit the tough or pressured shot and stunk it up in the biggest games…I’m sure he will still make the NBA, but I really could care less, I wish him the only the best, but let’s move back to current Pitt news, recruiting, upcoming season, belittling PSU fans, anything eles,…thanks
…Marco

Comment by Marco 06.02.07 @ 9:31 am

Marco,

Current Pitt news is sparse to say the least.

Gray in the NBA draft is a big deal. There is presently only one Pitt player in the NBA — Mark Blount.

Gray will be the first Pitt player drafted since Chris Taft. A positive and negative recruiting tactic is to point out how many players a school/coach has put in the NBA. Right now, a majority of the top BE schools and coaches — L-ville/Pitnio, UConn, ‘Cuse, ‘Nova, G-town, Marquette — can offer a much longer list.

So odds are you will see posts on Gray up to and after the NBA draft in late June.

Comment by Chas 06.02.07 @ 9:45 am

Chas,

Thanks for the updates on Gray. I agree that how he does will affect how others see the Pitt program, so I’m interested in the updates.

Comment by John 06.02.07 @ 10:02 am

As the post states, I think that too many people focus on what Gray can’t do. There are a few areas where he is excellent, e.g. post position, rebounding, decent jump shot and work ethic. The guy is a legitimate NBA prospect and that is huge for Pitt basketball. Having players drafted and playing in the NBA is very important for the success of the program and I appreciate the continued updates.

Comment by Omar 06.02.07 @ 10:32 am

Chas,

Thanks for the updates. It’s good to see how Gray is doing draft wise. Marco is acting as if their’s a whole lot of other Pitt news going on.

Comment by C 06.02.07 @ 4:56 pm

Chas,

Didn’t Gray get in the face of each of his teammates and ask them to commit to the ultimate prize? Didn’t that demand a reciprocal commitment?

Frankly, I believe Gray didn’t walk the talk. He didn’t immerse, he was arm’s length along with his roommate Kendall.

In any case thanks for your blog!

Comment by steve 06.02.07 @ 10:33 pm

I’m sorry, but did somebody really write this:

“…the other coming on a fake spin one way into a spin back the other, where he laid the ball perfectly in the basket after spending just a second with his eye on the hoop, showing good awareness of where he was with the ball.”

That person must be confused. I think they meant to write “… spin back the other, where he SHOULD HAVE laid the ball perfectly into the basket, BUT IT ROLLED OFF…”

Otherwise, it’s just not believable.

I’m glad the AG era is over, but also happy to read these updates. Getting some Pitt players into the NBA is absolutely needed.

Comment by Carmen 06.04.07 @ 4:26 pm

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