Many of you have e-mailed me a couple articles about Aaron Gray making a big impression with the fans, coaches and possibly starting for the Bulls. Just haven’t had a chance to get to it.

Gray has endeared himself to both by being productive in the exhibitions preseason, but also humble and very self-critical.

“I know I still have a lot to work on. I hear about it every day. If he didn’t care about you, he probably wouldn’t say anything. The important thing is, I’m learning a lot.”

Not that Gray’s head had swelled from that double-double against the Mavericks.

”Maybe my stats [were] OK,” he said immediately after the game, ”but I’m making so many mistakes out there. I have a lot to learn yet, especially defensively. My rotations are so slow.”

That might help explain why Gray fouled out Tuesday — his six personals matching his six points in 16 minutes — in a victory against the Washington Wizards.

Skiles said Thursday he wasn’t surprised that Gray’s self-analysis emphasized the negatives over the positives.

”Those are the guys we like,” Skiles said. ”If not all, most of the guys in the gym are like that.

”For a young guy like him who is big and has a skill set, he’s a quick learner. You can tell that he wants to learn, so we’ll keep teaching him. He may end up being a bigger factor for us than we realize right now. Who knows?”

His production and presence on the court has Bulls Coach Scott Skiles considering Gray to be the fifth starter, forming a twin towers situation with Ben Wallace.

“We liked what happened at the beginning of the game the other night,” Skiles said. “We thought Ben Wallace and Aaron played well together. Ben is a good passer. And he found Aaron once the other night. Ben also knows our offense well.

“We have to decide, balancing both units, do we want a couple of defensive players in the starting lineup or do we want more offense. Aaron has shown—and I think he will in the regular season—that he can score. Do we want to use that to start a game? It’s something we have to think about.

…

The rookie from Pittsburgh has impressed many with his fundamentally sound play and steady development.

Despite fouling out against the Pacers, most infractions coming from poor or slow defensive rotations, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 fouls in 18 minutes per exhibition. He’s also shooting 61.3 percent in five games.

“The mobility issue, in my mind, is much less a factor even than it was in the summer,” Skiles said. “He’s definitely picked up how we want him to move and where we want him to move to. And because his hands are so good and he’s got a soft touch and his size, it makes up for those issues.”

Gray has become very intriguing to a lot of fans, even as some are reserving judgment and think this as much to do with lighting a fire under some other players.

Matty Rosenberg of Only the Bulls blog sought my thoughts/scouting report on Gray when he was with Pitt. On his site, I also came across this video of Mr. Gray showing his musical stylings.

[Editor Note: For whatever reason, the embed keeps failing. Code is being stripped out after I insert it. It then screws up the rest of the blog, so I just pulled it.]
Okay.

Adam Zagoria blogs a bit about Dan Jennings from New York. A class of 2009 or 2010 recruit at the power forward/center spot. He’s had a very good summer with his AAU team, the New York Gauchos.

Jennings has an application in at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and could end up there this season, according to Book Richardson, the former Gauchos director. After that, depending upon his academic situation, Jennings could prep for a year before being a high-major D-1 player.

“He could be a Top 50 player because he works so hard and he’s a sponge,” Richardson said. “He’s a freak of nature. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick and very agile. He would probably spend a year at Oak Hill and then a year of prep if he’s not academically eligible.”

If he does go to play for Steve Smith at Oak Hill, folks can watch him on ESPN2 against St. Benedict’s on Dec. 13 in a game that will take place in Lexington, Ky.

In terms of Jennings’ college situation, the young man said he had received offers from Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Pitt, Xavier, Memphis, South Florida and that Arizona had showed interest.

“I like Arizona a lot,” he said. “I also like Memphis and Pittsburgh.”

…

Jennings said he is tight with Theodore, the Seton Hall recruit, and with Pitt-bound guard Travon Woodall of Paterson and St. Anthony. Both have talked to Jennings about coming to their schools to form a strong guard/big man tandem.

Jennings has essentially ruled out Seton Hall, Rutgers and St. John’s at this time. Saying he doesn’t want to be that close to home. If you just go by the schools interested in him, obviously he has a lot of potential.

Looking to some alum, Aaron Gray has been working out with the Chicago Bulls conditioning and strength coaches since the summer league ended.

“Working with the staff here is a great opportunity,” said Gray, a 7-footer who spent four years at the University of Pittsburgh. “The work I put in this summer is going to be one of the keys to me being on the court.”

Given that he was a second round draft pick, there are no guarantees for Gray. The majority of players taken after the first round do not end up in the NBA; rather they either play in the NBA’s Development League or go overseas. And that’s exactly what is motivating Gray this summer.

“It’s great because I’m kind of the underdog again,” he said. “I’ve kind of played that role my whole life and had some good success at Pitt. Now I’m here, back at the bottom of the totem pole, where I’ve been before. I’ve worked my way up to the top before and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do the same here.”

Meanwhile, Levon Kendall played a bit in the summer league for the Utah Jazz. He will be heading to Greece to play professionally. Right now, he is playing on the Canadian national team. His hometown paper in Vancouver is giving him one of the biggest slurp jobs I’ve ever read.

It had to be a little frustrating for Vancouver’s Levon Kendall on Wednesday playing for Canada against Argentina.

The performance of the starters was so pathetic the game was virtually over by the time the big Kits grad got off coach Leo Rautins’ bench to put in his typical 18 to 20 minutes in a very effective role for a team trying to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

Just what he’s doing there instead of starting is another matter, but presumably Rautins knows his personnel better than it appeared against the Argie,s who won 85-70.

…

That’s unlikely now. But this surely can’t diminish Kendall’s performance. The former Pittsburgh Panther has been outstanding for Canada, particularly in Monday’s second-round victory over Uruguay.

The 23-year-old is set to begin his pro career in Greece with Panionios and the way his development is going it wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see him get some NBA time before he ends his tremendous basketball career.

“I signed a two-year deal and it has an out after one if I get an NBA offer,” said Kendall, almost certainly being scouted closely by NBA teams at this competition given his rate of improvement, particularly at the offensive end. “I played with the Utah Jazz team in the summer league and did pretty well so hopefully they’ll be watching.”

Kendall took a lot of abuse at times for always getting the national commentators gushing about his intangibles at Pitt while fans just wanted something more tangible.

Having a good summer league has nothing to do with how good you will actually be in the pros. It does, however, affect whether you are going to get a contract. Aaron Gray had a solid summer.

Surprises: Aaron Gray, who averaged just about 10 points and 5.5 rebounds a game over the entire course of both summer leagues. Some suggested he could be a steal going so deep into the second round of June’s draft, and now it’s looking as though Chicago might be able to use his size and some of his low post moves. John Paxson has said he may explore giving Gray some time in the developmental league, but it also wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the roster come October.

Gray made “honorable mention” in the Orlando summer league session. He has also signed a contract with Chicago. The terms, of course, were not disclosed. It’s a bit jarring though, to see him in a Bulls jersey.

News is really light in case you hadn’t noticed, so a little bit of how Aaron Gray doing a good job in the summer league.

Gray has impressed coaches thus far with his size, physical play and toughness.

“He has a big body and isn’t afraid to use it,” coach Scott Skiles said.

Skiles is watching league play courtside as assistant Jim Boylan runs the team.

“I think Gray’s movements can be deceptive,” Skiles said. “He can appear to be slow. But he is covering ground. He has a chance because he has legit size and he plays like a big man. He likes to use his size and rebound. He has made good decisions with the ball.”

Gray finished with 15 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes against the Heat, not that he’s impressed with anything he does in summer league anyway.

“I’m more trying to learn our system and the defensive principles,” Gray said. “I’ve felt good getting up and down the floor, and I grew up hitting people because I played football. You learn quickly it’s better to hit than get hit.”

Yes, summer league doesn’t mean much as far as the numbers. For Gray, though, playing well means being on the roster in the fall. After both summer league sessions, Gray will be heading to Las Vegas for a big man camp that is run by Pitt alum and former Pitt coach Tim Grgurich.

There’s also a great Q&A (puffer) with Gray on the Bulls.com.

Bulls.com: You were named the Big East’s most improved player in 2005.06. What allowed you to go from a guy coming off the bench to the team leader that year?

Gray: “The main thing was having more of an opportunity to play. My coaching staff always believed in me and so did my teammates, even when I wasn’t playing a lot. Chris Taft (selected with the 42nd pick of the 2005 NBA Draft) was ahead of me and I had to wait for my time. When he left to pursue the NBA, I was ready. Coach Dixon didn’t go out and recruit three other seven-footers because he was confident in me and my abilities. I knew I was able to step up into a bigger role, and going against Chris Taft and Chevy Troutman and players like that every day in practice only helped me improve my game. When my time came, I was ready.”

…

Bulls.com: After considering leaving school for the draft last year, you decided on another year at Pitt. What factored into that decision?

Gray: “In looking ahead at the rest of my life, it just wasn’t an opportunity I could pass up. Maybe I’d have been drafted higher last year and I’d be in a position to make more money, but it was more of a life decision for me. I’d have always wondered how good we could have been or how far we could have gone. We went to the Sweet Sixteen and I got to be a part of that. We had a good team with a lot of guys back and I really enjoyed college. I love the University of Pittsburgh; the people and the city treated me great. I kind of felt like I owed it to them a little bit to come back for another year.”

[Emphasis added.]

Mainly because it amuses me at this point.

The day after the introductory press conference for the new Bulls players they headed out to that other Reinsdorf property — the Chicago White Sox.

Bulls 2007 draft picks Joakim Noah, JamesOn Curry and Aaron Gray were honored before Tuesday’s game, with Gray throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Noah wore a jersey that read “Booozynski,” in reference to Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a rabid University of Florida supporter.

I’m guessing that Noah wasn’t able to throw out the pitch because of his rotator cuff. Since there was no mention of it and nothing I noticed on SportsCenter, I assume Gray got it over the plate.
Gray was also thrown into the local gossip/sightings page.

The Bulls’ GM John Paxon entertained new draft picks Joakim Noah, Aaron Gray and JamesOn Curry at Morton’s the Steakhouse in Northbrook.

Finally just to note that article on Aaron Gray and Darren Morningstar. The only thing that had “parallels” with them beyond being centers at Pitt was their place in the NBA draft. Hardly parallel careers to this point.

The Chicago Bulls introductory press conference won’t be until Monday — apparently Noah didn’t make it to Chicago on Friday.

By most accounts, Gray’s drafting by the Bulls means there will be no effort to retain 7′ Center Martynas Andriuskevicius and Michael Sweetney — he will be cheaper and at a minimum no different than the two but only occupying one roster spot. There also isn’t much in the free agent market to entice the Bulls for centers — Chris Mihm, Vitaly Potapenko (he’s still in the NBA?), Dale Davis or Melvin Ely. Hell, just looking at the names of big slow centers still playing in the NBA further suggests that Aaron Gray may not be a big name in the league, but he will be able to earn a paycheck for quite some time.

That’s why the Bulls continued to go big with the first of their two second-round picks by grabbing Aaron Gray of Pittsburgh, a solid defender and rebounder with excellent size (7-feet, 270 pounds).”Here’s the thing about Aaron Gray: He is a big, thick 7-footer,” Paxson said. ”He played at a great program at Pittsburgh. He’s not going to knock you out with athleticism or anything like that, but the kid knows how to play.”

This is why Hawes was smart to come out this year and Patrick O’Bryant (15th pick) last year. Hibbert may have made a mistake coming back to be picked apart, and Josh McRoberts of Duke definitely stayed too long. Big men, are either potential or maxed out.

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.

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.

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.

In the last GrayWatch post, I noted that Aaron Gray went out to Vegas for a specific conditioning program and 1-on-1 service. The intense (and expensive) program really made a noticeable difference. Reducing his body fat and making him look more defined. Joe Starkey did a column on Gray’s draft status and condition that takes a slight shot at Gray being in great condition.

Pitt was hoping Gray would whip himself into that kind of shape for his senior year, after eschewing the 2006 NBA Draft. It didn’t happen.

See, he didn’t directly say he expected Gray to be in this kind of condition for the past season. Nor did he make a direct allegation that Gray was out of shape. Just that others had hoped that Gray would be able to get to this kind of condition, and maybe implying that because Gray wasn’t in NBA draft shape he wasn’t in shape. He’s merely taking note of what others hoped.

For example, the rest of the article is simply a rehashing from other stories on Gray’s draft status, the Orlando camp, and quotes from other papers and web sites. At that point I could say something like, “a more paranoid blogger would think Starkey merely skimmed the links and quotes from prior posts to do his own article.” That way I’m not actually saying I think he did it. Merely making an observation, and making it appear like a slimy action of stealing my work.

In all honesty, I think Starkey probably did. And that’s good. There’s nothing wrong with that. That means he’s reading (considering the daily referrer logs contain hits from Trib computers I already knew some were reading) and taking advantage of one of the things I do with this blog — aggregating the information.

Plus Starkey added some quotes from Gray’s agent doing a bit of spinning on Gray’s conditioning.

“He’s finally healthy,” Zanik said. “Nagging injuries didn’t allow him to condition properly. Also, he can concentrate on basketball every day now. It’s not anything Pitt didn’t do, it’s just having more time to focus on conditioning. I’m excited to see what he’s going to look like six months from now.”

Pretty much what you would expect the agent to say.

Anyone else remember when Chevon Troutman, for no reason that made sense other than “what the hell,” would launch a 3-point shot? And the abject shock when it actually went in. I’ve always been grateful that Aaron Gray never tried that at Pitt. He’s apparently willing to take them, though, in the workouts.

”It’s something that I’m willing to do,” said Gray, who was measured at 7 feet, 2 inches in last week’s NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando, which is two inches taller than he was listed at in college.

His height is not the question. There are more pressing questions about the former Emmaus High star that the Sixers and other NBA teams which will be working out Gray over the next 19 days want to know.

Gray is more than willing to show them how much he has improved his overall skills and how much leaner, trimmer and NBA-ready he’s become since his final college basketball game in March.

His 3-point shot was a start. It wasn’t Dirk Nowitzki-type accuracy, but he shot from beyond the arc with a light touch and with confidence.

That’s just an unnerving image of Gray launching a 3. Gray still has workouts with Sacramento, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Toronto, San Antonio and Utah over the next 8 days.

As for the secret of how Gray slimmed down 20 more pounds and dropped his body fat to around 10.1%, well it involved individualized workouts at the Joe Abunassar Impact Training Program in Las Vegas. Abunassar is one of the top trainers to help kids get ready for the draft — and points to NBA players like Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince as pros with which he has worked. It also isn’t cheap. For just taking part in his summer camps it runs $750/week (PDF).

That’s why you don’t see players still in college going there during the off-season. When you are going pro, it’s a direct investment and your agent will be able to put the money up for you.

Aaron Gray has a workout with 3 other players today for the 76ers.

Yesterday, Gray was in Miami working out for the Heat.

Gray, a 7-0 prospect and third-team All-American, averaged 13.9 points and 10 rebounds his final two seasons with the Panthers.

Boston College forward Jared Dudley (6-7), Villanova forward Curtis Sumter (6-7) and Syracuse center Darryl Watkins (6-11) also participated in the Heat workout.

Gray and Dudley, the ACC player of the year last season, are projected as high as late first-round picks and would likely be available at No. 20. Sumter and Watkins are considered late second-round prospects who might come into play if the Heat were to acquire an additional pick.

Gray, rated third among American-born centers in the draft, said he would welcome the chance to learn behind O’Neal and Mourning.

”It would be a great opportunity,” Gray said. “To learn from two of the best centers in my time of watching basketball — it would definitely help me going against them every day.”

Miami has the 20th pick, which might be too high to grab Gray. The Heat, though, lacking a 2nd round pick might try to get one from Orlando as compensation if the Magic want to hire Stan Van Gundy.

The Rockets have the 26th pick and might be looking for a big man. This writer is not wild about that idea.

Finally Aaron Gray is also being talked about in terms of potentially ending up in Houston. Gray is a project, for certain. Think Dave Feitl. He has soft hands and can catch in the post, but he gets pushed around and isn’t quick enough to be an impact rebounder or shot blocker.

But apparently Gray did a good job in that semi-private workout after the Orlando camp, earlier in the week.

“Aaron Gray was really good. He ran well, his body looked great, he’s smart and understands the game. He shot the ball really well. He definitely solidified himself here. He could play for you right now.”

Other thing worth noting is that Dominic James was horrible in the same workout — reportedly he couldn’t finish. All signs point to his return to Marquette despite a Krauser-esque desire to remain in the draft even if he was a second round pick.