Kraut: Gist heads to NBA Rookie League

[timvp]

Gist heads to NBA Rookie League
Aaron Kraut

A week after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 NBA Draft, former Terrapin forward James Gist must focus on actually making the team.

"It's going to take hard work and dedication," Gist said. "It's up in the air. You just got to be able to grind it out."

Gist is currently working out in Reno, Nev. On July 9, he'll report to San Antonio and join the rest of the Spurs' rookies and young players in preparation for the NBA's Las Vegas Rookie Summer League.

The Silver Spring native and 2007-08 Second Team All-ACC performer was drafted by the Spurs in the second round with the 57th overall pick.

Contracts are not guaranteed for players taken in the second round, and earning a roster spot on an established Western Conference power like San Antonio may prove to be challenging.

NBA teams are limited to 15 players on a roster, only 12 of which can be active. The Spurs have 9 players under contract with another, first-round draft selection George Hill, on the way.

Gist, who was second in the ACC last season with 77 blocked shots, said he knows in order to make what has been one of the NBA's premier defensive teams for the last decade, he's going to have to excel on the defensive end.

"I know the Spurs really like me," Gist said. "And I know if I do the intangibles - like rebounding and just playing my role on the defensive end - I feel like I can fit in."

The Spurs also traded for another second round pick, former Oregon guard Malik Hairston. But coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs front office will have to decide whether or not to re-sign a number of veteran free agents, including Michael Finley and Robert Horry, which might open up a spot for Gist.

For now, Gist is excited to be a part of the Spurs. He recalled a hectic draft night last Thursday, in which teams called him to gauge his interest in becoming an undrafted free agent before the second round was over.

He wasn't even in the room when he was picked by San Antonio- he heard his family scream when his name rolled across the bottom of the television screen.

"They've been through it all," Gist said of the Spurs. "A team with so many veterans like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker - I can learn a lot from those guys."

Depending on his play this summer, Gist could get that chance.

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3387636.shtml

[timvp]

I like his mindset. He knows it's going to be tough to make the team. He'll have to impressive in summer league ... mostly with dedication to rebounding and defense. It'd be nice if a player with his athleticism and size could show enough skill to make the roster.

[Blackjack]

Gist heads to NBA Rookie League
Aaron Kraut

A week after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 NBA Draft, former Terrapin forward James Gist must focus on actually making the team.

"It's going to take hard work and dedication," Gist said. "It's up in the air. You just got to be able to grind it out."

Gist is currently working out in Reno, Nev. On July 9, he'll report to San Antonio and join the rest of the Spurs' rookies and young players in preparation for the NBA's Las Vegas Rookie Summer League.

The Silver Spring native and 2007-08 Second Team All-ACC performer was drafted by the Spurs in the second round with the 57th overall pick.

Contracts are not guaranteed for players taken in the second round, and earning a roster spot on an established Western Conference power like San Antonio may prove to be challenging.

NBA teams are limited to 15 players on a roster, only 12 of which can be active. The Spurs have 9 players under contract with another, first-round draft selection George Hill, on the way.

Gist, who was second in the ACC last season with 77 blocked shots, said he knows in order to make what has been one of the NBA's premier defensive teams for the last decade, he's going to have to excel on the defensive end.

"I know the Spurs really like me," Gist said. "And I know if I do the intangibles - like rebounding and just playing my role on the defensive end - I feel like I can fit in."
The Spurs also traded for another second round pick, former Oregon guard Malik Hairston. But coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs front office will have to decide whether or not to re-sign a number of veteran free agents, including Michael Finley and Robert Horry, which might open up a spot for Gist.

For now, Gist is excited to be a part of the Spurs. He recalled a hectic draft night last Thursday, in which teams called him to gauge his interest in becoming an undrafted free agent before the second round was over.

He wasn't even in the room when he was picked by San Antonio- he heard his family scream when his name rolled across the bottom of the television screen.

"They've been through it all," Gist said of the Spurs. "A team with so many veterans like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker - I can learn a lot from those guys."

Depending on his play this summer, Gist could get that chance.

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3387636.shtml

Good find timvp.

I'm pulling for this kid.

He could really turn out to be a nice find.

[rayray2k8]

Lets see what the kids got....
I'll keep an eye on him and Hill for the summer league.

Good to see something that isnt related to Maggette.

[Blackjack]

Hey timvp, have you seen or heard anything from Hairston?

[timvp]

Hey timvp, have you seen or heard anything from Hairston?

Nope. Haven't seen a quote from him since he got drafted.

[angelbelow]

im pulling him him as well.. does any one have his stats as far as athleticism goes?

[BruceBowenFan]

gist makes the team book it

[SenorSpur]

Most definitely pulling for this kid.

Funny how we haven't heard anything from Hairston.

[ShoogarBear]

Wait . . . the guy's name is Kraut?

[polandprzem]

Wait . . . the guy's name is Kraut?

You spell it croch?

[mrspurs]

noone just walks into the nba and becomes a star....but if this guy can do just a little more then shine the pine........it would be nice

[polandprzem]

wtf is noone?
once again

[Solid D]

wtf is noone?
once again

The English language is a bit strange. Anyone is one word. Someone is one word. No one is two words.

[tav1]

If we sign Maggette and Delfino, aren't our 6th big options down to Horry and Gist?

[Mr. Body]

Hey Gist, rebounding isn't an intangible, dummy!

[SenorSpur]

If we sign Maggette and Delfino, aren't our 6th big options down to Horry and Gist?

If that's true, it's an easy decision - as far as I'm concerned. Present and future over a relic of the past.

[MoSpur]

I am pulling for this guy too. Its going to be very hard though.

[polandprzem]

The English language is a bit strange. Anyone is one word. Someone is one word. No one is two words.

noone does not sounds good

Just like noon

afternoon


damn I'm in a bad mood

[monosylab1k]

Wait . . . the guy's name is Kraut?

WWII vets love reading his work.

[Steve-O-Matic]

Just because the writer of this article may be of German heritage doesn't mean that timvp has to call him a "Kraut." Sheesh.