University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Bulls Thinking Big with Gray
7/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
by Adam Fluck
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Chicago's need for size in the low post has been well-documented this summer.
While there's a good chance that GM John Paxson will address that issue with some, if not all, of the team's mid-level exception in the coming weeks, he may have found a reliable back-up center in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft in Aaron Gray.
The former Pittsburgh standout, who checks in at seven-feet and 270 pounds, led the Big East in rebounds as a junior and corralled nearly 800 boards over his four-year collegiate career.
He's quick to acknowledge he needs to keep improving his offensive game and most importantly, his speed and agility, to succeed professionally. Those are among his top priorities as Gray takes the court with Chicago's summer league team, playing in Orlando this week and heading to Salt Lake City next.
Just before the team's departure, Bulls.com sat down with Gray to get his thoughts on his yearly improvement at Pitt, how his college experience prepared him for the NBA, and his early impressions of his new rookie teammates.
Bulls.com: How's it feel now that the dust has settled and you've been in Chicago for a few days?
Bulls.com: Did you have an idea you might end up with the Bulls?
Bulls.com: How did you feel your workout for the Bulls went?
Bulls.com: Your college coach, Jamie Dixon, credited you for improving each season. Has reaching the NBA been a goal of yours all along?
Bulls.com: How did your final year at Pitt, in which your team reached the Sweet Sixteen, prepare you for the next level?
For the rest of Adam Fluck's interview with Aaron Gray visit www.bulls.com.
Aaron Gray: "It's been great. Right now I'm just looking forward to being as ready as I can for the season. I've come in a couple nights and worked on my conditioning and I'm going to try and get as many workouts with the coaches as I can. I've gotten into the weightroom too since the draft and it's been good. It's going to be a long summer for me and I have a lot of work to do. I really feel like I can be a contributor on this team; now I have to work hard and prove that. "
Gray: "I thought there was the possibility. It's funny because originally I wasn't scheduled to workout here in Chicago. Then I got a call from them saying they were strongly interested and I came in that final week [before the draft]. When I was here, I loved the coaching staff and the facility and saw first hand what a great organization this is. I'm just really happy to be here."
Gray: "I thought it went well. It was probably my toughest workout because I was used to going up against three other people. But here, it was just me and one other guy and they killed us for a good hour plus. Also, it was my thirteenth workout and I was about ready to hit the wall. It's been a great experience for me and I'm very fortunate to be here."
Gray: "My biggest fear has always been letting my teammates down. That's what's been my motivation--I don't want to let my teammates down and keep any of us from reaching the goals that we're trying to achieve. My family has also been a huge support for me and they motivate me. They've always told me that if I'm going to do something, to make sure I do it as best as I can. Even though it's a sport where I may make a good living, they don't pressure me. They say, `Look, Aaron, if you're not having fun anymore, don't play.' But obviously I love the game and obviously I'm happy to be here."
Gray: "We were in the NCAA Tournament all four years and I was fortunate to play in the Big East. I felt like it was the best conference in the span I was there. There are guys here in Chicago that came from the Big East and there are guys all over the league from that conference. We were competing against future NBA players almost every night. There were a lot of very physical games and there were teams that like to run the ball. We saw a lot of things there that I expect to see here. Obviously guys on whole weren't as athletic or consistent as they will be at this level, but it was a great way to gain some valuable experience."
