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June 17, 2008
Gavin Grant were two of four players who
worked out for the Bobcats on Tuesday.
Video - Day 5 | UPDATED PICS - Gallery | Draft Central
Charlotte's preparation for the 2008 NBA Draft continued Tuesday at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena with Winthrop's Chis Gaynor, NC State's Gavin Grant, Utah State's Jaycee Carroll and Pikeville College's Jeffrey Ferguson all participating in draft workouts with the Bobcats.
Chris Gaynor, a 5-10 guard from Winthrop, was named Second Team All-Big South after leading the conference in steals and ranking sixth in assists. He became the Big South Conference's all-time leader in assists after dishing out six assists in the conference tournament championship game. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists during his senior season and became just the third player in Big South Conference history to reach 1,000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals in a career.
Gavin Grant, a 6-8 forward from N.C. State, led the Wolfpack in assists (2.9) and minutes (30.8) during the 2007-08 season. He also averaged 13.1 points and 4.5 rebounds during his senior campaign. As a junior was named to the All-ACC Tournament First Team after averaging 14.8 points in the Wolfpack's tournament run.
Jaycee Carroll was originally an early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration and returning to Utah State for his senior season. He was named WAC Player of the Year as a senior and also named Second Team All-Senior All-American by Lowe’s after leading the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.498), ranking second in free throw percentage (.919) and ranking 13th in scoring (22.4 points). Carroll set school records for 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goals made (114) and his season total of 785 points ranked as the second-best in school history.
Jeffrey Ferguson led the Mid-South Conference in field goal percentage (.580) and blocked shots (2.11) and ranked second in scoring (18.2) and third in rebounding (7.2). He was named First Team All-MSC and Honorable Mention NAIA Division I All-America after leading Pikeville College to a 22-9 record. The Toronto, Canada native spent two seasons at Missouri and one season at Wayne State before playing at Pikeville.
Carroll, Gaynor and Grant all spoke with the media following the workout.
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(On the workout)
It was fun. It was a good workout. One thing I really like about this workout is the way Coach (Brown) taught things. He wanted us to take parts of basketball away that we can keep on working on this summer and improve. It was really great just hearing some insights and pointers he had for us.
(On if going through this process last year before deciding to return to school gives him an advantage)
It gave me a chance to get in front of people and get some of the nerves out. It’s kind of nerve racking coming in in front of a bunch of professional people when it’s your goal and it’s been your dream for a long time to play in the NBA. There can be some nerves. Going through it last year, I was able to get used to that. Going back to college was a great decision for me. I was able to get better and improve on my skills and get more NBA teams interested as I went through and was able to play a little bit better (now) than after my junior year.
(On if having the reputation as a spot-up shooter adds any extra pressure to make shots)
You always want to make shots. That pressure’s always there, but it’s good pressure. It’s pressure that keeps you focused and keeps you on target. With that reputation as a spot-up shooter, when I can show them that I can put it on the floor and make a pull-up jumper or take two dribbles and get up and dunk a little bit, it kind of adds something to it and surprises people a little bit that I have more to bring than just spot-up shooting.
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(On the workout)
I was just telling somebody, you play college ball for four years and you’ve played all your life and then you come out here and you’re still learning something. That’s good. It was a great opportunity for myself to show the coaches what I could do and get a NBA workout so I can see what the next level is like. I learned a lot of stuff today. Coach Brown is a great coach. He’s a Hall-of-Fame coach. When you have the opportunity to learn from him, he’s the best, so why not take it.
(On working out for the hometown team)
I love Charlotte. I love North Carolina. I wish I could stay here, but the Draft’s coming up and I’m just going to keep working hard.
(On if his cousin Chris Paul gave him any advice prior to the workout)
I actually talked to him last night before I went to sleep and he told me to go at every drill 100 percent, this is a great opportunity and to cherish every moment.
(On if he has gotten any advice from former Winthrop players)
I talked to a lot of former players, Pierre Wooten, Torrell (Martin) and Craig Bradshaw. I talked to my roommate Michael Jenkins. He’s doing workouts too. I talked to Taj McCullough last night. He’s in Dallas right now, just working hard trying to get his game together. Everybody’s telling me it’s a long process and everywhere you go you just have to give 100 percent and good things will come from that.
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(On the workout)
I thought it went well. Coach Brown is a legendary coach. I thought I learned a lot just in the 45 minutes I was here. I enjoyed the experience. I was happy the Bobcats were able to get me in here.
(On being an N.C. State guy and working out for a bunch of Carolina guys)
I was talking to one of the coaches before the workout and they are all just Carolina in here, but I just appreciate the opportunity. It doesn’t matter where it’s at. They (the Bobcats) showed a lot of love, so I appreciate that.
(On where he sees himself playing in the NBA)
Hopefully on a team that will get up and down. I can play both styles. I can play fast, I can play slow. Preferably, I like to get up and down, but a guy like me, I just hope for the best thing and pray for the best shot.
(On what he has to do to impress at these workouts)
(I just have to) shoot the ball. I shot pretty well last year from three, but that three-point line is a lot further now. (You have to) shoot the ball well. You definitely have to come here in shape. You can’t come here out of shape or they will just write you right off.
(On the other workouts he’s had)
(I had the) New Jersey Nets two days ago.
(On what he hears about his draft status and what his plans are if he’s not selected) (I’m hearing) late second round or undrafted. Everyone wants to play in the NBA. My dream is to play in the NBA, but it that doesn’t work out, I have a family I have to take care of, so I will definitely go play basketball and make money somewhere.
(On the last time he played at this arena not being a great memory)
I thought about that when I drove up. That’s the past though and that’s over with. I enjoyed my four years at N.C. State. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I loved my coaches, Coach Lowe and Coach Sendek. I appreciate everyone at N.C. State. I just had a great time there.
(On N.C. State’s future)
They’ve got great guys. I’ll think they’ll be fine. Coach Lowe is a great coach. He has plays drawn up of stuff that I didn’t think could be done on the basketball court. They have great players and a great coach and the program has great character. As long as the fans support them, they should be pretty good.
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