Rudy Gay is an All-American, was the leading scorer for Connecticut and is a probable top-5 pick in today?s NBA draft.
Still, the Baltimore County native and Archbishop Spalding graduate feels like he has a lot to prove. Gay, a small forward, believes he needs to show he can be aggressive on the court following two seasons in college where critics at times questioned his assertiveness.
“There are guys out there who think they are better players,” Gay said. “This is my chance to show I?m one of the elite guys in this year?s draft.”
All indications are Gay is taking the steps to accomplish this goal. He has fared well at pre-draft workouts displaying his skills for teams including the Charlotte Bobcats, the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls. In addition, the 19-year-old has trained feverishly in preparation for the 82-game NBA schedule.
“I feel confident I?m going to go to a great place and I?ve done all I can,” Gay said.
UConn coach Jim Calhoun said he is confidant Gay will succeed as an NBA player.
“If I were in these team?s position, Rudy is a kid I want on my team and in my locker room,” he said. “He is a player that is getting better and he is going to be a great player (in the NBA).”
Gay said he has no preference on where he is drafted, as he believes his game translates better on the professional level than it did in college.
“There are more opportunities to score in the NBA,” Gay said. “The pro game is a lot more one-on-one.”
Despite all of the pre-draft hype, along with being one of 15 players invited to the draft at Madison Square Garden in New York, Gay is not taking anything for granted.”
“Just sitting being at Madison Square Garden is great,” Gay said. “But, just because I?m there doesn?t guarantee I?ll be a lottery pick. I?ll feel much better after my name is called.”
NBA DRAFT
» The NBA Draft is set to start at 7 p.m. today.
» Gay attended Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County for two years before transferring to Spalding.
» Gay is one of five children as he has three sisters and a brother
» He expects to have as many as 90 friends and family in attendance todayat the draft.
» Former Maryland forward Nik Caner-Medley has worked our for a number of teams, including the Bobcats.
