What happens now, is that Aaron Gray will be hopping an early flight from Philly to Chicago. The day after the draft are the post-draft press conferences in the franchises respective cities with the draftees being present.

The Chicago media naturally was much more focused on the Bulls pick of Joakim Noah at #9. As for the second round picks, well JamesOn Curry has more of a story since he had issues back in high school. Gray is just there.

“Aaron Gray is another big body,” general manager John Paxson said. “Obviously not the athlete that other players are, but he can be very solid for us.”

Gray was steady, but rarely dominating, as an upperclassman for the Panthers. He averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds last season, but concerns arose about his lack of speed and athleticism.

Those issues dropped him from a borderline first-round prospect early in the predraft process to a late second-round selection.

“He’s got a soft touch,” coach Scott Skiles said. “He moves around the floor pretty well. We look at him as a guy that, if he can make it, can body up some of the bigger players in the league for a few minutes.”

Gray, must have read some of the snippets after he was drafted about “making it,” judging by his comments.

”I still have a lot of work to do, but my foot is in the door,” Gray said. ”I just have to go out there and do my best.”

One of the major knocks on Gray was that he wasn’t athletic or quick enough, but he’s in better shape than he was in March when his college career ended, and he believes that he will be in even better condition after playing summer league with the Bulls.

Gray’s bags are already packed for his trip to Chicago.

”People right now, I’m sure are doubting me,” Gray said. ”It’s just the same thing at a different time of my life, people not thinking I’m going to make it. I just have to go out and prove them wrong.”

Well, at least he has something to help motivate him. The Bulls may look to find some more low-post help in free agency, but being so thin there and a couple restricted free agents (like Nocioni) will make Gray a low cost option to provide depth at the Center spot.
The lateness of where Gray was picked and the hour meant there wasn’t much in the newspapers yet. A little bit about other Centers taken before Gray. If Gray makes it with the Bulls, he stands to get a three-year deal worth nearly $2 million. The summer league will be vital.

With Aaron Gray being picked 49th by the Bulls, Chad Ford at ESPN (Insider subs.) was offering comments on all draft picks.

He’s big. He put up good stats in college. But how does he keep up with the speed of the NBA? I’ll give him this, though — he may be the most polished low-post scorer on the Bulls roster, if he makes the team.

It was the “if he makes the team.” that surprised me.  Yes, he’s a late second rounder and he could be released with a non-guaranteed contract. Here’s the thing. This is the Bulls Roster of centers:

Ben Wallace, Center, 4 years on his contract.

That’s it. The other centers and forward-centers on their roster: P.J. Brown, Michael Sweetney and Martynas Andriuskevicius. They are all free agents. Maybe they resign one of them.

That puts Gray in great shape to stay with the team.

7:33: Portland is on the clock.
I’m starting this with one hand. My son is out cold on my lap.

Question: Who would you want to give a free kick to the nuts more? Steven A. Smith or Dick Vitale?

7:36: Shocking Oden goes first. Stunned I tell you. Stunned.

7:41: Naturally Durant to Seattle/Oklahoma City. Easiest draft pick ever.

7:42: Awesome. The Celtics are apparently going to swap the #5 pick (or pick Jeff Green of Georgetown) along with Delonte West and Wally Sczerbiak to Seattle for Ray Allen. I’m with Mark Jackson who has been blasting this deal for the Celtics all day. That’s why I love it. Hate the Celtics.

7:46: Okay, Atlanta and Pitt’s Billy Knight have the #3 pick. Heard that the Hawks because of their pathetic and infighting trinity of ownership blew a chance to get Amare Stoudamire in a deal that would have involved the #11 pick. Yeep.

They go with Al Horford from Florida as expected. Best player left. I have no problem with it. That means they’ll take Acie Law IV at #11.

7:50: Those Adidas Draft/NBA hats bother me with that narrow piping. Makes it look like everyone has a pointy head.

7:52: Predictable draft so far as Conley, Jr. goes #4 to Memphis. I see him as a slightly better Dominic James with more mystery creating the nebulous “upside.”

7:57: Yes! The Celtics do take Jeff Green. That means Boston will just be inadequate and not have any potential growth in the future.

(more…)

And all the stories today reflect that. This article concludes that it’s best that he goes in the second round, since he’ll be a back-up player for his career. That way no one can call him a bust.

Part of it is simply that the style in the NBA has changed in the last few years. I keep mentioning this, but Chris Mihm (who Gray reminds me a lot of for the NBA) was the #7 pick. Now, it’s about being able to penetrate the lane and showing much more athleticism.

Gray’s agent is rightly stressing that getting drafted by the right team will help his career a lot more than being drafted in the first round.

”He’s a big center, who can score with his back to the basket, and in today’s NBA that’s not something that all NBA teams use or reserve roster spots for,” Zanik said.”It’s not about being on a roster. It’s about him being able to contribute, so we’ve targeted some teams where that would make sense.”

…

”It really has to do with the fit of the team,” Zanik said. ”That’s what we’ve been concentrating on in the draft process, regardless of the number, because he can step in and help a team right away.

”Whether it’s a team at No. 25 or 45, his ability is going to allow him to get guaranteed years and an opportunity. I have teams where Aaron is going to play.”

On Phoenix’s roster, Gray would have no chance, and would be released or traded quickly. A team like San Antonio, Indiana, Miami or Washington would fit him much better.

Still, there’s a big difference in Gray’s shape and his game from his freshman year to now.

For Gray, this is a time to reflect and celebrate how far he has come. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas described Gray as a “non-prospect” coming out of Emmaus High in 2003. Four years later, he is on the verge of being drafted by an NBA team.

“It’s ridiculous to think about,” Gray said. “If you saw me as a freshman in high school, people wouldn’t even believe it was me. The NBA was just a dream.

“Things have worked out really well for me. I was surrounded by great people at Pitt. The coaches gave me an opportunity. I wouldn’t change a thing that’s happened to me over the last four years.”

This was the from the first time I noticed Gray playing. It was the February 2004 game against UConn.

Okay, who the hell is the big slow white guy for Pitt that just scored on the nice pass from Brown? Looking at the box score, it’s a 7′ freshman named Aaron Gray from outside of Allentown. This was the 13th game he’s made an appearance in, but the first one I’ve seen.

I believe Gray recounted that story at times this past year about his poor physical conditioning and how he huffed and puffed too late to stop an Okafor score.

The Big East Basketball Report Blog is an invaluable for keeping track of everything Big East. I probably don’t give it nearly the credit, props and attention it deserves. All of the following links came via the BEBR.

Nasir Robinson committed to Pitt seemingly forever, so despite being a top recruit, there has been very little talk about him. Well, Robinson will be taking part in the Kobe Bryant Skill Academy. The week before he was at the NBPA Camp.

Nasir Robinson 6-foot-6 WF Chester, PA is another of those steady, solid every game performers. This aggressive wing man scored 15 points in nightcap as he finished with strength at the rim or popped 15-footer on the move.

In New Jersey there was the Hoop Group High School Basketball Championship at Seton Hall University this past weekend. CAA Insider was there and had thoughts on certain players from many of the teams. This includes Pitt commit Travon Woodall from St. Anthony’s.

Travon had his perimeter game working throughout. He buried three pointer after three pointer. He was also effective at getting into the lane and scoring off the dribble. He’s very smooth with the ball in his hands and thus a real treat to watch.

Woodall was the Tournament’s MVP as his team, St. Anthony surprisingly won the tournament. He was on-board with Pitt recruiting Ashton Gibbs.

The two have played together in various All-Star games and with the Playaz Basketball Club.

“They called me three weeks before he committed and asked me what I thought about them recruiting Ashton Gibbs,” Woodall said. “Me and him have a great relationship. We have chemistry. The only thing that would have been more perfect would have been if they signed Mike Rosario.

“(Gibbs) is a shooter. He’s not going to come over and play the point guard position. He’s going to be more of a two guard. I think it’s a good fit for me.”

Right now Robinson and Gibbs look like they will be defense first players. Gibbs, was asked about his team’s chances in his senior year.

“As long as we play good, solid defense, we should be in good shape,” he said. “We’ll have to hold teams down and create some of our offense with defense.”

Adjectives expected to be used to describe the kids in the 2008 recruiting class when playing for Pitt: gritty, hard-nosed, blue-collar and tough.

For the record, I’ll be liveblogging the NBA Draft tomorrow, as I did last year.

A couple days ago the P-G had an article about how Aaron Gray could be the first 1st round draft pick of the Howland-Dixon era. That was after Gray had already dropped to the second in most mock drafts. So, now they get around to revising and noting he will likely go in the second round.

That’s what NBA draft experts are saying about Pitt’s All-American and his immediate future on the eve of the draft. No matter what Gray did in those big games on the national stage, he would be in the same position today — a borderline late first- or second-round pick.

“He has established a body of work as a player over time,” ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas said. “That’s what the NBA people will look at. They’ll look at what he did over his four years.”

Gray will be staying home with his folks to watch the draft. He’s actually enjoyed traveling all over the place to do workouts for teams.

”It’s been exciting,” Gray said. ”I was in San Antonio, and they just won the championship. The city was crazy. We [other draft candidates] were walking around, and people were thinking that were were part of the team.

”And I was like, ‘Nah, nah, I’m not part of ya’ll yet.”

Yeah, I can see how a bunch of really tall young athletic men would be assumed to be members of the Spurs.

Looks like Pitt has had luck in reshuffling a bunch of games to finally make that Pitt-Duke game at Madison Square Garden a reality (Insider subs).

The Pitt-Duke game is finally getting closer to becoming a reality on Dec. 20 in New York City. Pitt needed Dayton to move its Dec. 22 game against the Panthers to another date. Pitt didn’t want to play Duke in New York City with one day prepare and travel for Dayton. Dayton has finally relented and is willing to move the game to Dec. 29 in Dayton, but that means more games have to be moved. Dayton is scheduled to play Lipscomb on that day, and Pitt was scheduled to host Lafayette on Dec. 28. Those games are being moved to make it acceptable to all parties. Pitt is also moving a game with Buffalo on Dec. 19 because of the Duke game.

Beautiful.

This also fills in a bit more about what teams Pitt has in the non-con puzzle. Lafayette (Dec.), at Duquesne (Nov.), at Dayton (Dec.), Duke (Dec.), Buffalo (Dec.) and Washington (Feb.). That leaves 5-6 more games for Pitt’s non-con.

ADDITION: I forgot Oklahoma State also in December.

A bunch of Nic DiLillo committing to Pitt stories yesterday. From his local paper,

While it might seem like a major switch to go from a high-profile ACC school in the south to a blue-collar Big East school a few hours away from home, DiLillo said his choice to play college football after a lengthy recruiting process ultimately came down to just two schools – Pitt and Clemson.

The Panthers have always been among his favorites as far as college choices. Now, Pitt will be DiLillo’s college home.

“One of the hardest things I had to do was call the coach at Clemson and tell them I wasn’t coming, but it wasn’t as hard as when I told Pitt (I was initially going to Clemson),” DiLillo said. “I just always had a great connection and relationship with Pitt and the coaches, and I guess in a way, I always knew that is where I belonged. This is a big relief for me and it feels great.”

The backhanded smack is not surprising. It is the Cleveland area. Maybe I’m throwing stones, but “high-profile ACC school?” Clemson? Really? 2-3 in the last 5 bowl games which were the Humanitarian, Tangerine, Peach, Champs Sports and Music City.
One of the big issues that led to DiLillo changing his mind and committing to Pitt was the travel for those who would want to see him.

“Distance was a very big factor for me, that last trip down there just seemed so long,” DiLillo said. “My family, friends and coaches have always been there for me and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am at today. I owe it to them and myself to stay close to home so they can all be there to see me play.”

I know that proximity to friends and family that will support and want to see you play is a big reason why so many kids commit to local schools. I have to say, it comes off as unintentionally arrogant and funny if you read that last sentence again without the context.

Kevin Gorman’s blog fills in the regular story with much more detail on just how hard Pitt continued to recruit DiLillo.

“Every other week, I’d have a hand-written letter from every coach,” DiLillo said. “They treated me like family. No other colleges did that.”

Even after DiLillo made a verbal commitment to Clemson in May, the Pitt football staff never backed off its pursuit of the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder who is ranked a top-20 prospect at his position by recruiting services.

The Panthers first won over DiLillo’s parents, sending a Mother’s Day card signed by every member of the staff to Christine DiLillo and a Father’s Day card to Tony DiLillo.

The cards, Nic said, are hanging on his refrigerator.

“They were struck by that; I wasn’t going there and they were still recruiting me,” DiLillo said. “My mom got teary-eyed. She was wishing that I was going there. From day one, they’ve loved Pittsburgh.”

Both Wannstedt and Rhoads stopped by his school during the May barnstorming recruiting period as well.

The Pitt Athletic Department has hired someone to assist in developing the facilities for the non-revenue sports and help with raising funds to pay for them. Paul Klaczak is the new Associate Athletic Director for Business Development, Facilities and Special Projects.

Klaczak, a Pittsburgh native, comes to Pitt from Cincinnati where he served as an Associate Director of Athletics for nine years, overseeing operations, facilities and numerous other areas within the athletic department.

“Paul’s extensive background and success in athletics, particularly in the areas of facility construction and renovation, will be a great asset to us in the near future,” Long said. “A focus of the Pitt Athletic Department is to provide the best facilities, equipment, training and health care to ensure our student-athletes have the opportunity to excel. The addition of Paul to our staff continues to move us in that direction.”

The Marietta College undergraduate earned his Master’s degree in Sports Management from Robert Morris in 1988. Since that time, he has been with the Bearcats in various roles including serving as a member of the Senior Staff.

Klaczak was the project leader for Cincinnati’s $112 million Varsity Village, including its construction projects and all facility renovations. He assisted in raising more than $40 million from the private sector and played a key role in the strategic planning, presentations and solicitations.

The project at Pitt is “only” around a $35 million affair.

Hmm. He’s coming from Cinci. Maybe he can pass along the Redlich’s address and phone number to AD Jeff Long.

Congrats to Coach Jamie Dixon.

University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon has been named one of five 2007 inductees into the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame. Dixon will be formally honored on Thursday, Sept. 20 prior to TCU’s Homecoming football game against SMU. A four-year basketball letterman at TCU from 1984-87, Dixon is best remembered for his half-court shot at the buzzer to defeat Texas, 55-54, in a February 1986 game. In addition, he helped the Horned Frogs post back-to-back league championships (1986, 1987) and reach the second round of the 1987 NCAA Tournament. As a senior, Dixon led the Southwest Conference in assists per game (5.4 apg.) and earned both All-SWC and academic all-conference honors. He was drafted by the Washington Bullets and played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association.

Coach Dixon was previously awarded a Frog O’Fame Award from TCU back in 2005.

Everyone likes Power Rankings, yet never before have we seen them completely dedicated to our Pittsburgh Panthers. Every week or so we’ll take a look at the biggest news makers related to Pitt sports — all in Power Ranking form.

5. Kevan Smith, QB
The guy barely gets any publicity but got a story last week in the Post-Gazette. That’s one more newspaper article than guys like Pat Bostick, Bill Stull, LaRod Stevens-Howling, and most of the other guys on the team.

4. Pitt Marching Band
According to people who used to sit near the tunnel where the Panthers come out for homes games, they are being asked to move across the stadium. Why? The Pitt band is moving from behind the closed endzone to near that tunnel. The bad news is that they’re being moved away from the students; the good news is that they won’t be playing towards the open end where the sound can escape. It always seems that the away team’s bands are louder even when I sit closer to Pitt’s band — this could be the solution to that.

3. Clemson University
Our series with Clemson in 2010-2011 is off and then we pulled in one of their verbal commits. Yes, I wish we were keeping the series on with them but it seemed like a mutual thing. Taking one of their verbals…well hah!

2. Joe DelSardo Fan Club, Double-wide headband, writers, Panther Rants
They “took over” Dokish’s site and have turned it into what they call “The Onion of Pitt Sports”. They have had some posts that are simply hilarious including the press release of kickoff times for the 2008 season.

Also released was the start time for the matchup with Syracuse University on Saturday, November 3rd. “Dr. Gross [Syracuse Atheltic Director] and I agreed to start the game at 4:20. We chose this time because we figured you’d have to be high to go to this game. At that point in the season, both teams will be well out of the Conference race and any bowl possibilities. Therefore, we’re hoping a lot of potheads get confused and think it’s a Phish concert. There’s really no way to market this mess.”

1. Dinocat 2.0, new Pitt secondary logo
Two straight weeks of having a not-so-good subject in the #1 spot is a simple showing of which way most people think things are going. To top it all off, they throw out some “sleek” new logo that doesn’t even look like a panther. Panthers have noses like this, dogs like so. BYU, Florida International, and Houston got it right. Us? Not so much. At least we got something to talk about for a few days this offseason.

The Kane Foundation, which helps people in assisted living, is having a fairly unusual auction: neckties of notable and well-known people.

Your bid benefits the Kane Foundation, helping the residents at our four county-run assisted living facilities. The staff and residents appreciate your generosity.

One of the people who have signed a necktie for the auction is football coach Dave Wannstedt, who’s tie is currently being bid for at $14. The winning bid also gets a caricature of the person who the tie is from. The full effect looks something like this:

I know you want that.

(Link via Mondesi’s House)

The newest commit, Ryan Turnley, has created a bit of head-scratching over getting a 1-2-star ranking yet have schools like Wisconsin, Louisville and GT being interested. Not to mention being listed in some rankings for top Pennsylvania players.

There is no question that Turnley will be a bit of a project. He’s only been playing football since 8th grade. What the rankings contrasted with the teams that have recruited him reflect is a lot of raw potential. The “kid” is a 6′ 5″ and 295 pounds offensive tackle. Clearly, this is a diamond-in-the-rough type player the Pitt coaches hope to reach. He’s only been a starter at Hopewell for one year.
It helps that Turnley was eager for a Pitt offer.

“Like I said before, I grew up a huge Pittsburgh fan and I told people my whole life that it was my dream to play for the Panthers in college,” Turnley added. “I’ve known Coach (Greg) Gattuso, Coach (Bob) Junko and Coach (Dave) Wannstedt for a long time now and they are all great people. When I went on a visit there this Thursday I was able to sit down and talk with Coach (Paul) Dunn for about an hour and he was a great guy too. They took me around and showed me everything on campus and I liked it even more then I thought I would going down there. I just loved everything about Pittsburgh from the coaches, to the campus to the facilities, it has just always been the dream. I knew I was going to commit there when I left campus on Thursday.”

You look at West Virginia, and their O-line. They have done it with finding players who were overlooked and then developing the potential. Turnley wasn’t being overlooked by coaches and teams, just the recruiting sites because there was very little to go on with him in high school.

The timing was impeccable. The article on Aaron Gray being a potential 1st round pick. The first 1st round pick in the modern renaissance of Pitt basketball. So in 6 different mock drafts, naturally Gray is outside the 1st round in 4 of them.

• DraftExpress — #41 to the T-Wolves
• Hoops Hype.com — #41 to the T-Wolves
• NBAdraft.net — #38 to the Sixers
• RealGM.com — #38 to the Sixers
• InsideHoops.com — #30 to the Sixers
• CollegeHoops.net — #22 to the Bobcats

I’m trying to figure out how Sean Williams keeps being listed ahead of Gray. A guy who failed multiple second chances with BC. A guy who you can guarantee a couple suspensions for failed drug tests. Someone who is a shot blocker and little else.

Otherwise, I do understand how Gray can be outside of the first round. A few years ago, Gray would have been a top-15 pick on his size. Now, for centers, the focus is on which players can get up and down the floor and shoot from further out.
In a big number breakdown of college centers, Aaron Gray comes out pretty good, and Spencer Hawes has bust written all over him. Oden, obviously dominated the stats.

As lame as Pitt’s home schedule is this fall, the road schedule receives recognition as being a challenge. Really, it’s on the strength — or brutality — of playing the expected best three teams on the road. Plus playing two other BCS conference schools in Michigan St. and Virginia on the road.

Rivals.com listed Pitt’s schedule as the 23d toughest in the country, and the 2d toughest in the Big East. That’s with Grambling and Eastern Michigan on the schedule. It’s either a bit of a reflection of the perception of the top three teams in the Big East now, or just how bad other schools schedule that Pitt’s sched. would make the top 25 in schedule difficulty.
Ideally, 2-3 on the road this season would be amazing progress. 1-4 would be tolerable.