Kansas Coach Bill Self Shares His Thoughts on Gradey Dick's Fit with the Raptors

The Toronto Raptors got an electric offensive player in Gradey Dick who should be a 'great fit' with the organization, Kansas coach Bill Self says

Aaron Rose | Jun 24, 2023

BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Kansas coach Bill Self always knew Gradey Dick was destined for the NBA. He recruited the Kansas native as the No. 21 high school prospect in the country and realized quickly that Dick was going to have to be a starter, the only freshman to start for the Jayhawks last season.

But still, one-and-done seemed unrealistic for Dick, Self thought.

That was until Kansas played Duke in mid-November. Within the span of 90 seconds late in the second half, Dick changed everything. He nailed a catch-and-shoot three-pointer above the break, caught an alley-oop pass from Dajuan Harris Jr., and then called his own number, taking it to the hoop for tough layup through contact as the Jayhawks suck out away with a five-point victory.

“I knew right then that we were going to only have him for a few months,” Self said of Dick. “Right there was probably the moment I realized what people would think of his talent.”

Self was right and seven months later, the Toronto Raptors made the 19-year-old wing the No. 13 pick in the NBA Draft.

Dick is “pretty damn good” offensively, as Self put it. Everyone is going to focus on his shooting skills because they’re incredible. Not only did he shoot 40% from behind the arc as a freshman but he nailed 53% of his three-pointers off the dribble last year, the best in Division 1 basketball of anyone with at least 30 attempts, per ESPN Stats. But Dick is far more than just a shooter.

“He’s a good mover without the basketball. He’s a very, very sneaky rebounder. He's good at transition,” said Self, a two-time NCAA championship-winning coach. “He’s a good finisher and can certainly finish above the rim.”

His handle is above average for a player of his size, Self added. He’s not afraid to attack the rim and beat closeouts, a skill he’s going to need to show against NBA defenses with the way opposing teams are going to close out on him. He converted on 48.4% of his two-pointers for Kansas while averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

“Is he going to be as good as what he needs to be?” Self asked rhetorically. “The answer is there's still a lot of room for improvement and he'll work at it hard each and every day to improve his skill set.”

The biggest area of growth for Dick is going to come on the defensive end. He was often the target of opposing teams’ offensive strategies while with the Jayhawks. His size, 6-foot-6.25 with a 6-foot-8.75 wingspan at the NBA combine, should help, but his lack of foot speed will be a hindrance on the perimeter.

“I don’t think that’s what he does best, yet,” Self noted. “But I do think he's a very adequate defender and play to his athleticism and his length and he did a much better job as the season went on for us.”

By all accounts, though, Dick is going to be ready to improve. He’s unselfish and a great teammate, Self said, and someone who is going to put in the work necessary to become a more well-rounded prospect.

"He'll have to take a very professional approach to it," Self said. "I actually think it's a great fit for him."

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