Andy Katz posts on Aaron Gray’s plans for Orlando (Insider Subs.).
Pitt junior center Aaron Gray received word that he would be invited to Orlando for a physical only at the predraft camp June 6-10.
That’s good news for Gray, who doesn’t want to be flying around the country to test his draft stock. Gray and Pitt coach Jamie Dixon are still deciding when and where to stage a post-Orlando workout before he makes a decision by the June 18 deadline to withdraw.
Dixon said he originally looked into one at Pitt, but wasn’t sure about the attendance from NBA teams. That could force Gray to choose a more regional site to draw the most interest.
Either way, the Big East and its TV partners are more concerned about Gray’s decision than Villanova’s Kyle Lowry, who also still hasn’t signed with an agent. If Gray returns to the Panthers, they would be considered the Big East favorite and more potential TV games would come their way.
Gray would be the Panthers’ go-to player if he returns to the lineup. The selling point for Gray to stay would be that he’s not a lock to go in the top 20, but likely would leap into that group in 2007. This may also be the only season in his career where he’ll be the focal point of the offense.
More national TV games for Pitt. One more selfish reason to want Gray to return for his senior year.
I noted last week I didn’t think many NBA scouts would be too interested in coming to Pittsburgh to see him workout. I think it might be more likely that he’ll work out in Philly, NYC or NJ. Places that are reasonably close to his family’s residence.
Meanwhile Chad Ford notes that two centers are seeing their draft stock rising (Insider Subs.).
I overheard one Eastern Conference scout call Patrick O’Bryant the top prospect in the draft. While that may be one lonely opinion, it does appear that O’Bryant’s stock is on the rise. He’s long, athletic and the only legit center in the draft. He might have a big draft drive in his near future.
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Another international man of interest is Senegal’s Mouhamed Saer Sene. Scouts and NBA executives say that his stock has risen into the late lottery to mid-first round. Why? Because they’ve been going to Belgium the last few weeks to see him play and come away impressed.
Sene had been ranked among Centers as behind Gray. Reads like he has passed him at this point. Unfortunately, if O’Bryant’s draft status rises much beyond where he was expected to go (12-15th), it could push Gray higher in the draft as another team looking for a big center might reach for him.
Ah, the intrigue and confusion.
