June 3, 2008
Watch CBS College Sports Feature on James Gist
After finishing a four-year career at Maryland in which he etched his name in the school's all-time record book, James Gist is poised to fulfill his dream of playing basketball in the NBA. Gist recently participated in the NBA's Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando and posted an impressive performance during the four-day event.
Sixty-four participants were invited to the camp and assigned to six different teams. For Gist, it was an opportunity to showcase his talents to NBA personnel scouts, general managers and coaches. The camp consisted of three games and various tests of agility, speed, strength and endurance.
While waiting to catch a flight to Sacramento for a scheduled workout with the Kings, Gist reflected on everything he has experienced the past year. While he may have garnered attention for his performance over four days in Orlando, Gist's work began a nearly a year ago to take advantage of his opportunity. In the summer of 2007 he was selected to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games in Brazil, where he helped the Americans earn a fifth-place finish against tough international competition.
During his final year in College Park he helped guide a young team to 19 wins, including an upset over the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill on January 19. Along the way he was named the ACC and Sporting News Player of the Week.
He averaged a personal-best 15.9 points and 7.9 points per game during the season. Gist was second in the ACC in blocked shots (2.33 bpg) and was third in field goal percentage (.496).
As a senior with the Terrapins, Gist earned second team All-ACC honors and was named to the league's All-Defensive Team. Yet, despite finishing his career as one of just five players in school history to finish with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 blocked shots, Gist knew he would have to continue to improve in order to compete at the highest level.
Following the completion of Maryland's season in March, Gist hired a personal trainer and began working on his physique.
"I definitely wanted to get stronger," noted Gist. "I have been working out every day at 8:00 a.m. It has definitely improved my strength and endurance, and I was able to feel a difference playing down at the camp in Orlando."
From there it was time to see all that hard work pay off by performing well under pressure in front of dozens of watchful eyes evaluating his every move.
"It was a great experience down there," noted Gist. "There was a lot of top competition at the camp, but I played well and got a lot of good feedback from the coaches. It was a chance to play against other players at the highest level, but I really thought I did a good job and raised my draft stock while I was down there."
Asked specifically what he has been told about his possible transition to the NBA, Gist noted it would involve expanding his game at both ends utilizing the versatility he displayed in College Park.
"Everyone told me that if I make the NBA, it will be as a combo forward," noted Gist. "I'll have to play both small forward and power forward. I'll have to learn both positions, but also have to be able to defend both positions. I think that will go well with my athleticism."
In addition to the workout with Sacramento, Gist is scheduled to visit Chicago, Denver, San Antonio, Houston, Minnesota, Golden State and Miami. There may be other scheduled visits as he has drawn additional interest following his performance in Orlando.
Even with all the workouts and camps he has attended the past few months, there was one event that stood out over everything else he's done the past three months. On May 22nd, Gist participated in Maryland's commencement ceremonies at Comcast Center.
"It was a huge relief," laughed Gist. "It has been pretty stressful the past few months trying to prepare for the draft and also finish up school. To be able to finish my degree in four years is something I'm really proud of."
His education on the hardwood continues. Following workouts for individual teams, he'll wait to see where he may be selected in the June 26 NBA draft.
