In his first job, as a graduate assistant at Michigan State, Georgia Tech basketball coach Brian Gregory made $4,000. Out of that salary, he scraped up enough money to begin courtship of his future wife.
Five months before his first season at Tech begins, Gregory again finds himself having to stretch his resources. With forward Brian Oliver’s decision this week to transfer, which followed guard Iman Shumpert’s entry into the NBA draft, Gregory will take on the ACC with eight scholarship players, five fewer than the maximum allowed. Moreover, four of the eight are guards, as are the walk-ons.
“You have to deal with what you’ve been dealt with,” Gregory said.
Gregory and his staff’s ability to develop players will receive a stern test this fall. In summary, the Jackets finished 5-11 in the ACC, were one of the league’s poorest shooting and defending teams, have lost two of their three best players and have the fewest scholarship players of any team in the league. Did we forget to mention their home arena is unavailable because of renovation?
The Yellow Jackets’ presumptive leader is Glen Rice Jr., the only returning player who scored in double figures in 2010-11. Last season, however, ended with Rice coming off the bench for the last five games of the season after being disciplined by then-coach Paul Hewitt.
Gregory’s other seven players have yet to show themselves to be consistent ACC players.
“I think of those eight, each one of them individually have a chance as we continue to progress, to be very good players here and finish out their carers exceptionally well,” Gregory said.
Center Daniel Miller is the other returnee who started regularly last season, averaging 4.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. He got Gregory’s attention in spring workouts.
“I think Daniel Miller has a chance to be a very, very good player in this league,” Gregory said in April.
Of his other two returning big men, center Nate Hicks is a banger, but needs work. Power forward Kammeon Holsey was not productive in limited minutes. Incoming freshman Julian Royal of Milton High, a power forward generally rated among the top 100 prospects in his class, will almost have no choice but to play. Gregory’s style of play should be beneficial, as he typically uses one post player and four perimeter players.
“I think if those four guys are good and, more importantly, those guys perform well, that’s more than enough,” Gregory said.
Guard Mfon Udofia has speed and potential, but has not shot well. Jason Morris led the team in 3-point shooting percentage as a freshman (40.0 percent). Brandon Reed averaged 15.1 points and was Sun Belt freshman of the year at Arkansas State before transferring to Tech. He’ll be eligible in the coming season.
Hewitt signed Bobby Parks Jr., the son of a former Hawks draftee living in the Philippines, but Parks has elected to play at a college there this season and re-open his U.S. recruitment in the fall.
However much they might develop, though, Gregory still will only have eight players on scholarship, meaning walk-on Nick Foreman should get a bump in minutes. Gregory hasn’t ruled out signing an additional player at this point, but doesn’t expect to do so. He will go into the upcoming recruiting year with five scholarships to offer.
“All [Oliver’s transfer] is going to do is give someone else an opportunity,” Gregory said.
Of that, the new Tech coach has an ample supply.
About the Author
