Kansas basketball’s Gradey Dick says he’s ‘getting prepared’ for NBA draft in California

LAWRENCE — During a Twitter Spaces on Thursday with the NBA’s “Rising Stars Report,” Gradey Dick once again described why he wanted to play in college at Kansas.

Dick, like everyone else, had seen the talent that had played for the Jayhawks and then made the jump to the pro ranks in the NBA. Being an in-state kid from Wichita, Kansas, he dreamed of playing there one day. So, there’s a feeling he’ll treasure from the opportunity to walk into Allen Fieldhouse amid all the history that building has to offer.

But Dick also spent a lot of time on the Twitter Spaces discussing his pre-draft process and the NBA in general. There’s no doubt he will hear his name called June 22. He could potentially even end up in the lottery.

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Here are some takeaways from the discussion:

Gradey Dick has been training in California

Dick is represented by the agency WME Sports, just like a Kansas teammate of his from this past season in Jalen Wilson. Dick said the two of them are a part of a group that WME Sports is having train out in Santa Barbara, California. Their days consist of working out on the court, training in the weight room, relaxing and more.

“I feel ready,” Dick said. “I’m getting prepared.”

Gradey Dick is committed to the NBA as his future

Dick has multiple years of eligibility left at the college level. If he wanted to put off turning pro for another year or two, or three, he could. But after enjoying his freshman season at Kansas, he’s ready to take the next step.

“It was an amazing year,” Dick said. “I wouldn’t want it any different, and I’m glad I went to a school like that — because it was, obviously, like I keep saying, my dream growing up to be there. But I have a lot bigger dreams and my ultimate dream is to play in the NBA. Opportunities don’t come like this where you’re coming off and just playing your game. So, I want to take it and I want to achieve those dreams. So, no, I don’t think I’ll be a sophomore.”

Here’s when Gradey Dick thought he could make it to the NBA, and potentially be a lottery pick

Dick transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy while he was in high school because he was looking to go up against a higher level of competition. Being able to not just play the schedule Sunrise Christian Academy does, but every practice go up against future Division I players like himself, provided that. And during his senior year, Dick said it clicked for him that if he continued to put in the work he could reach the NBA and be drafted where he may be drafted this year.

“Me and my dad write goals down every single year on paper, and one of the biggest things after that year was kind of some goals in college and then eventually making it to my ultimate dream,” Dick said. “And I just felt, going through the season, that I was inching my way there more and more.”

There’s a difference between the NBA and college that has Gradey Dick’s attention

Part of being ready for the grind of a NBA season, from Dick’s perspective, comes down to just being consistent in his preparation. It’s the mindset he’s had since he was getting ready to make the jump to college. And doing that will put him in the best position possible to take advantage of a difference he sees between college and the NBA — spacing.

Dick is already a talented shooter. That much was clear in college. But he noted that he has a level of versatility that he wants to be able to showcase as well to NBA teams.

“I’m excited to get to transition into that,” Dick said, “and then, yeah, just see all the differences.”

There’s a player that stands outs in the NBA that Gradey Dick wants to share the court with

Dick has been following the NBA playoffs. What Jimmy Butler did to help the Miami Heat eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks has stood out, just as the Golden State Warriors’ series against the Sacramento Kings has. It’s a level of basketball Dick wants to be a part of someday, and potentially someday soon.

When Dick is playing in the NBA, he’s most excited to go up against Paul George. Dick mentioned the versatility George possesses as a reason why. And Dick wouldn’t mind playing as George’s teammate, either.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball’s Gradey Dick is getting prepared for the NBA draft