Gradey Dick hoped to show more than just shooting ability in workout with Indiana Pacers

Gradey Dick and Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard share one key thing in common: they played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Pritchard, of course, played years ago. He spent four years in Lawrence in the late 1980s, winning the 1988 NCAA Championship. Dick just wrapped up his only season with the Jayhawks. The two discussed the school and the city at dinner the night before Dick had a pre-draft workout with Indiana, which took place earlier today.

"Little bit... we got to talk about different stuff, different stuff in Lawrence," Dick said on Thursday of his conversation with Pritchard. They built a relationship off of that familiarity.

The 19-year old wing can shoot it, there's no second thoughts about that. He was showing off his form from the foul line at the end of his draft workout, and there's little doubt among talent evaluators that he will be able to hit shots from the outside at the pro level.

In his workouts with teams, though, Dick wants to show more. He's had six or seven (he couldn't remember exactly) prior to working out for Indiana, and the youngster tried to show off the full package of his skill set in all of them.

"I've always wanted to show my versatility," he said in the St Vincent Center on Thursday. "When I come into a play style like the NBA, it really excites me when the floor is more opened up."

At Kansas with the Jayhawks, Dick averaged 14.1 points per game and drilled 40.3% of his shots from beyond the arc. If he can play like that in the pros, he will provide value even if none of his other skills reach an NBA level. That is why he is an attractive prospect, and one the Pacers wanted to get a closer look at. ESPN has Dick going 11th overall to the Orlando Magic in their latest mock draft.

Even though Indiana may prioritize defense and upside too much to select the Kansas product seventh overall, he still could be a good fit with the team. Shooting is helpful anywhere, and Dick thinks he could fit with what the blue and gold have.

"Super intriguing," the draft prospect said of the Pacers. A few players on the roster were around for the end of the workout.

"I think it's just really nice," he added of the Pacers and Indianapolis. Then, he gushed about the organization.

"When you come here, you have the best of both worlds. That's what really catches my eye. You go around the city and it's just beautiful. You've got a facility like this, where you can't not come in here and get better. Good coaching staff. It's just good all the way around."

For Dick to hit some of his high-end outcomes in the NBA, his non-shooting skills will be important. He will need to have better ball handling, finishing, and defense to become one of the better players in the draft.

The Pacers have been putting prospects in various defensive scenarios during their draft workouts, and that is something Dick wants to show. He wants to prove he can defend better than most anticipate in the NBA.

"Just letting my length work for me. I have a pretty lengthy wingspan," Dick said of his defense. "Just the mindset to go out and play defense."

He worked out by himself, which means he wasn't going against other prospects. Rather, he was showing Pacers executives and evaluators what he can do against development coaches and basketball staff, some of which are former NBA players. It was an intense session.

Dick's game should translate well to the NBA. Spacing and speed won't harm his skills, and his quick, high release — which is partially emulated from Pacers legend Reggie Miller — will still be effective in the pros. He thinks that floor spacing will help him see defenses better and move well.

Dick might not end up with the blue and gold. It might require a trade to happen, unless the Pacers believe that his shooting ability makes him a can't-miss prospect. But even if the team doesn't pick him, they have intel on his personality and skills, which is valuable. The NBA Draft is just seven days away.