KG stands out at Orlando pre-draft camp

[USF-PMR]

Hope KG gets on the roster for the Magic.

[Mama_Bull]

KG is the new Rodman of rebounding - he will get his dozen.

That's pretty much what this new article says:

“But I told him all you’ve got to do is be like Dennis Rodman. Rebounding is his thing … he’s the guy who uses his body and knows how to get the ball. I think Kentrell can be a big Rodman if he puts his mind to it. If Big Baby (former LSU standout Glen “Big Baby†Davis of the Boston Celtics) can make it, I really believe Kentrell can make it. He just needs to be a warrior every minute of every game.â€Â

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/19435019.html

[Rabbi Bull]

KG has one thing you can't teach, SIZE.  He is a big dude and that is what the NBA likes.  He is also a beast when it comes to rebounding.

[Mama_Bull]

Kentrell Gransberry takes on NBA Draft Camp

   

By:

Angela JacobsLake Buena Vista, FL- In a quick glance around the complex, you see the likes of Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan and Patrick Ewing. And among this arena of NBA expertise and a sea of talent on the court, Kentrell Gransberry hopes to stand out.

"When you see 'em you're kind of star struck," says Kentrell, "but you kind of focus in and do a good job to impress them."

Fighting through three games in three days, and the wear and tear of countless drills, the 6-9 bruiser is understandably tired, yet also grateful for his USF roots that enable him to be here.

"I'd like to thank Coach Heath and all the coaches," he says, "(and) all my teammates, because this wouldn't be possible without them."

Kentrell is projected to be a late second round pick in the NBA in June. But just like former teammate Solomon Jones who played his way into the draft in one of these camps two years ago, Kentrell knows his performance here holds a great deal of weight.

Is there pressure here?

"You don't want to think about it," explains Kentrell, "but it is kind of pressure for you not to mess up but you try not to have that pressure to mess up and think about it so you won't mess up so it's 50-50."

ESPN analyst Andy Katz says Kentrell brings the obvious big body and boards, he just needs the right fit.

Andy Katz, ESPN Basketball Analyst: "Does a team need a guy that can be that kind of physical player? Obviously, he's a good rebounder so that's his thing, is to be much more of a niche kind of guy."

And any NBA niche will do.

"I always dreamed about playing in the NBA," says Kentrell. "Watching the playoffs last night just thinking that could be me next year on a playoff team, having a chance to be in the playoffs, it's wonderful."

The NBA draft is June 26.

To check out Kentrell's Draft Express profile, see:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kentrell-Gransberry-1307/stats/

Angela Jacobs

Video story at link below

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=81595

[Velcro]

that article says he is projected to be a late 2nd round pick,  but i don't see him listed in any mock drafts... 

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/

http://nbadraft.net/

(keith brumbaugh is listed as a late 2nd round pick on that site, but no KG)

[Mama_Bull]

that article says he is projected to be a late 2nd round pick,  but i don't see him listed in any mock drafts... 

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/

http://nbadraft.net/

(keith brumbaugh is listed as a late 2nd round pick on that site, but no KG)

Brumbaugh supposedly had a bad showing, and it's now likely he won't be drafted according to late reports. Maybe that will leave an opening spot for Kentrell:

Hurt their case

1) Keith Brumbaugh  The former high school star came in trying to silence the critics regarding his off-the-court issues, but he didn't do much to help himself on the court with his performance. He's bounced around to a couple junior colleges the last few years and seemed to be out of his element.

Incomplete

1) John Riek  The oft-injured 7-footer wasn't able to play due to yet another injury. The question remains whether he's the player who dominated at the LeBron James camp last July or the one who has been a disappointment ever since.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8194086/In-limited-action,-Lawson-makes-good-impression

[Mama_Bull]

"There's A Place..." In NBA For Gransberry 

Courtesy: USF

           

Release: 06/02/2008

TAMPA - After three days of skill workouts and games at the recent NBA Pre-Draft Camp, various coaches, scouts and writers agree that “there’s a place...†in the NBA for former University of South Florida center Kentrell Gransberry.

The camp, held May 27-30 at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., consisted of many of the top NBA draft prospects. The NBA Draft will be held in New York at the Wamu Theatre in Madison Square Garden on June 26.

The style of play in a setting like all-star games and short camps like the Pre-Draft camp lends itself to perimeter oriented players, leaving a player like Gransberry to work and scrap for anything he gets.

In his three games played, the 6-9, 270-pound Gransberry notched 20 rebounds (6.7 per game) in less than 20 minutes of action per game. He grabbed a high of 10 in his first game and was one of only four players to post a double-digit rebound performance in the nine total games played. Gransberry totaled 12 points in the three games, shooting 5-8 from the field (62.5 percent), and added four steals and four assists.

“There’s a place for him in the league because there aren’t a lot of guys that can rebound at the rate Kentrell can,†said Jeff Goodman, Foxsports.com’s national college basketball writer. “There just aren’t a lot of guys out there that you know are going to rebound. He is one of the few. A lot of NBA people look for that. ‘What do you do well?’ I think a lot of guys try to do something that they can’t. Kentrell just does what he does, he rebounds, he’s physical, he goes after it, he’s not intimidated at all.â€Â

Gransberry has been working out in Philadelphia since April 29 with potential No. 1 pick Michael Beasley and potential lottery pick DeAndre Jordan. Gransberry’s agent, Joel Bell, also represents Beasley and Jordan. In addition to returning to Philadelphia to continue his draft preparation, Gransberry will begin to work out for individual teams to try and improve his status for the two-round, 60-player draft. 

“Physically, he’s more man than any of these guys (at the camp),†said David Fitzdale, an Atlanta Hawks assistant coach. “Once he puts that body up against you guys are moving around. He clears a lot of space. There’s a place for a guy like that in the NBA. You look around the league. Big kids like Jason Maxiell, who’s not necessarily big height wise, but wide bodies. The Leon Powe’s, Brandon Bass’s, Sean May’s. He’s a man when it comes to playing inside.â€Â

One NBA Eastern Conference scout who is unable to comment on specific players until after the draft agrees with Goodman and Fitzdale.

“He can definitely play in the NBA,†said the scout. “He just has to be mentally prepared to bring it every game and every day and continue to work hard to get better.â€Â

Not getting drafted would not necessarily be a bad thing for Gransberry or derail his NBA hopes.

“Not being drafted is a hit on the pride side of it for a kid,†said Goodman. “But then he and his agent can figure out what the best situation is after they have drafted and what camp do I want to go into that I actually have a chance to make the team. So often a second round pick will be drafted and won’t have any chance of legitimately making the club. He just needs to continue to work on his body, get quicker, increase his vertical. Individual workouts will be important to him. He’ll get a chance to go up against guys who may be rated higher. The Richard Hendrix’s, the Joey Dorsey’s, those type of guys. And he’ll have to hold his own or outperform them and do well in the conditioning runs. Everybody knows he can rebound and can defend and is tough, he’s just got to do a few of the other little things.

Gransberry knows he still has some hard work ahead of him.

“I just want to continue to work hard,†said Gransberry. “It’s a long process. You just have to work hard. There are a lot of guys who didn’t get a chance to participate in the Pre-Draft camp and it was an honor to be there.â€Â

Gransberry was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team, the first USF player to earn first team honors in the three years the Bulls have been in the BIG EAST. He is also the first USF player to earn first team conference accolades since Altron Jackson in 2001 when the Bulls were in Conference USA. He was a second team all-conference selection last year.

The Baton Rouge, La., native averaged a double-double for the season at 16.0 points per game and 10.8 rebounds and led the BIG EAST in rebounding for the second straight season. He had 325 boards on the season, second on the USF single-season list, and was just the sixth USF player with 300 rebounds in a season.

Gransberry will go down in history as arguably the greatest rebounder in USF history and one of the top in BIG EAST conference play. Despite playing just one and a half seasons at USF, the big man ended his career with 588 rebounds in 53 games. He averaged 11.1 rebounds per game for his career, crushing the all-time USF per game average of 9.9, held by Gary Alexander (1989, 1991-92). He ended 15th on the all-time USF career list. Gransberry was also been dominant in league games, averaging 11.06 rebounds per game (374 rebounds) in 34 BIG EAST games and finished second all-time behind Providence’s Michael Smith (11.66 - 1991-94, 630 rebounds in 54 games). Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman is third all-time at 10.95 rebounds per game. 

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=1477259