June 26, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland senior forward James Gist (Silver Spring, Md./Good Counsel HS) was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 NBA Draft Thursday night. Gist was taken in the second round with the 57th overall pick.

A four-year letterwinner for the Terrapins, Gist appeared in 130 career games and made 89 starts. He finished his career at Maryland as one of just five Terrapins to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 blocked shots. Gist earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors in 2007-08 and was named the second team All-ACC.

A native of Silver Spring, Md., Gist was named the Terrapins' Most Valuable Player following his senior season. He was second on the team with 15.9 points per game. Gist led the team and ranked fourth in the league with 7.9 rebounds per contest. He was second in the ACC with 77 blocked shots and was fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.496). Gist made 33 starts for the Terrapins as a senior.

Gist finished his career in 17th place on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,414 career points. His 783 career rebounds ranks 11th all-time at Maryland, while his 231 blocked shots are good for fourth place in the Terrapins' record book.

With the selection by San Antonio, Gist becomes the first Terrapin drafted by the Spurs since Tony Massenburg in 1990 and the seventh Terp taken in the draft in the last eight years. He is the 29th student-athlete and 16th Terrapin to be drafted after playing for head coach Gary Williams.