James Gist to Italy??

In a brief note, www.rotoworld.com reported that an Italian website had wrote that Spurs 2nd round pick James Gist was going to be signed by a professional Italian team. However, the website was written in Italian and tough to translate.

The San Antonio-Express News denied that report, and said that Gist had not signed overseas. If Gist did sign though, the Spurs would be able to retain his rights for when and if he did come back to the U.S.A.

Stay Tuned as we will try to keep you posted on Gist's hoops career.

Gist in Summer Camp

Maryland student newspaper The Diamondback has the scoop on James Gist heading to rookie summer league camp for the Spurs in Vegas. Just don't make it rain to hard Mr. Gist.

"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."

Check out http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/07/03/Sports/Gist-Heads.To.Nba.Rookie.League-3387636.shtml for more on the story.

James Gist: Your new San Antonio Spur

With the 57th Pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, The San Antonio Spurs have selected Forward James Gist from the University of Maryland.

Gist averaged 15.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game this past season and was the team leader and captain.

A few articles to note talking about James Gist and his selection to San Antonio.

The Diamondback : http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/06/26/Sports/Gist-Drafted.By.Spurs.With.57th.Pick-3385946.shtml

The Washington Times : http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Jun/26/gist-spurs-second-round/

The Baltimore Sun : http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basketball/bal-gist627,0,558825.story

Having landed on the 2007 NBA Champions, things could have been worse for James. The Spurs also have a pretty good track record of drafting players who can succeed in the NBA. The Spurs currently have 7 unrestricted free agents, (Brent Barry, Kurt Thomas, Michael Finley, Damon Stoudamire, Robert Horry, Jacque Vaughn, and Dermarr Johnson), leaving them with 8 players under contract and 3 new draft picks coming in. So there is definitely space on the roster for Gist to make the team.

The issue with being drafted in the 2nd round is that it is not a guaranteed contract for players and they have to work their way on the roster, which should not be a problem for the Forward from the Terps.

I project Gist starting the season off having trouble finding minutes, but at some point when given the chance will prove himself as a small forward who will also have the capability to guard some power forwards in the league. Gist will provide a mid range jumper, which a great instinct for blocking shots and rebounding.

James Gist was the 7th Terp to be drafted in the past 8 years (Strawberry, Wilcox, Dixon, Blake, Morris, Gist, Baxter).

Congrats James Gist!