Luke Winn at SI.com has a report on Gray’s workout, and just how torn Aaron Gray seems to be over staying in the draft or going back to Pitt.
It was anticlimactic. A bit of running. A bit of so-so shooting from beyond his college comfort zone. Some awkward 1-on-1 with ex-Oklahoma State stiff Frans Steyn, who was at the camp out of Southwest Baptist University and served as a stand-in opponent. Gray didn’t really hurt himself during the 45-minute stretch; scouts already knew he was a solid, workmanlike 7-footer, not a super-athlete — and that skill set will keep him in a decent position. That said, the crowd dwindled to 19 by the end of the workout, an exodus that could either be regarded as a negative sign or a result of an external factor: The league did not serve lunch. It put out a buffet for those attending the Cedric Simmons/Patrick O’Bryant/Kyle Lowry workout on Wednesday afternoon and approximately 150 scouts stayed.
As the June 18 deadline to pull out of the draft approaches, Gray remains at a crossroads. On one side is the likelihood of late first round and a limited role as an NBA rookie; on the other is the chance to lead Pitt to a top-10 ranking and a Big East title as the conference’s premier returning player. “Every time I make a list of the pros and cons [of turning pro], I think of more stuff,” Gray said after the workout. “One of the things on there … is to come back and be the ‘man’ on campus, on a top-10 team. All the TV networks are waiting on me to make my decision [to see if they want to televise the Panthers]. It’s a real humbling experience.”
While Gray was on the floor, Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon was waiting outside the gym (he was not allowed by the NCAA to watch a still-eligible player work out). Dixon stopped to greet Gray and his father, Mike, when they left, and the coach said that the plan from here on out was simply to “continue to gather information” from NBA folks. That information will have a major effect on the complexion of the Big East in 2006-07.
Gray isn’t even pretending to be unaware of all the external factors. I don’t know if I would call it humbling, though. It must be something of a rush to know people believe you to hold the balance of power in the Big East and ESPN is waiting to find out what you do to decide their programming.
It was asked after an earlier post if Dixon’s involvement is typical of coaches. The best answer I can give, is that it is becoming more common. At least where the kid seems legitimately unsure or is simply seeing what his status is.
A big reason is to make sure the kid doesn’t get his draft eligibility screwed up because of NCAA restrictions and regulations on expenses, working out and advisors. I linked to an article about this last month, focusing on Dixon and Nevada’s Coach Fox working with his star forward, 2 time WAC player of the year, Nick Fazekas. It worked on a couple fronts as Fazekas appears to be pulling out of the draft and returning for his senior year.
I would also suggest that it is important with the unsure kid, because it sends a clear message that the coach does want what’s best for the kid and isn’t trying to replace him as soon as he shows an interest in the pros. If Gray comes back, I think Dixon’s help and assistance will be a big reason. Showing the loyalty actually can run both ways.
UPDATE: No sooner do I get this post out, then Chad Ford at ESPN.com posts on Gray’s workout (Insider subs.).
It’s not the best environment for Gray, and the workout didn’t go well for him. He’s not very athletic and doesn’t show well in drills. While Gray did demonstrate some nice footwork in the paint against Steyn, every scout I spoke to (in lieu of NBA execs, who didn’t show up for the most part) said that Gray needs to return to school.
“He’s still raw and he needs to get more athletic,” one NBA scout said. “He could really use another year of college ball.”
And yet, if he stays, someone would very likely take him in the 1st round.
