Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
College coaches begin reaching out to 2022 forward Gradey Dick
By JACOB POLACHECK
With college coaches being able to reach out to 2022 prospects starting on June 15, Gradey Dick‘s phone was blowing up on Monday, receiving calls from more than 20 schools.
“Since this is the first day, I’m just taking everything in,” Dick said. I’m 100 percent open with all the recruiting, hearing from all the schools right now. I wouldn’t say I have a list. I’m just kind of enjoying it.
Dick, the 6-foot-7, 195-pound small forward from Wichita, KS, was contacted by head coaches from Nebraska, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State, Northwestern, Virginia and Wichita State.
He was also contacted by assistant coaches from Minnesota, North Carolina, Marquette, Baylor, Illinois, Kansas, Florida, Texas A&M, BYU, Notre Dame, Texas, Xavier, Alabama and Purdue.
Dick’s most recent call came from Kansas head coach Bill Self late Monday evening at around 7 p.m. CT.
“I talked to coach [Norm] Roberts earlier in the day and he was telling me that coach Self was going to call me later,” Dick said. “Since I already had the offer it was just to touch base and show their interest in me because this is the first day that they can contact me. It was just to build that relationship and keep building that.”
Dick first received an offer from Kansas in June of 2019.
“Obviously just being from around here and watching them, I’ve had siblings go there, so I already had that little connection like that,” Dick said. “I play for a summer team that has some guys that went there, so it’s about those relationships I already have.”
Dick picked up two offers on Monday, with the first coming from Texas A&M.
“I actually got FaceTimed by Coach [Lyle] Wolf, the assistant and we had a good talk for a little,” Dick said. “It was pretty early in the morning. It was a quick call but we just talked about the play style and how I could fit in that. They offered me so that was really cool.”
His next offer came from Northwestern as Dick was on his way to a workout at Sunrise Christian (KS) Academy with Northwestern signee Ty Berry.
“It was actually funny because I actually got the call from coach [Chris] Collins, the head coach and I was on my way to a workout with Ty who’s already committed there and he’s from the Wichita area,” Dick said. “I showed up with Ty and it was funny because we were all together.
“I got the offer around then so it’s cool to have that relationship with Ty. He’s helped me learn more about them.”
Given the uncertainty surrounding visits due to the coronavirus, Dick says he’s just waiting things out.
“It’s a time where I’m just going to let all the calls come in and enjoy the process,” he said.
Dick broke down what he’s looking for in a school:
“I’d just say the main things are the basics: a great coach, obviously a great education and a great team that has a chance of going pretty far and potentially winning it all,” he said. “Also, a good environment and a good history behind the school.”
In April, Dick announced that he will be transferring to Sunrise Christian (KS) Academy where he will team up with five-star 2021 prospects Kendall Brown and Kennedy Chandler.
“Sunrise is literally 10 minutes from my house, so to have an amazing program like that in my backyard was a really big factor,” Dick said. “I already had really good relationships with a lot of the players that are going there like Kendall Brown.
“Him and I roomed together at Team USA, so to just have him there to help me figure out what they’re doing there and all the crazy stuff that’s happening,” he said. “Then, with Kennedy Chandler transferring there, getting to know him at Team USA camp, it’s pretty cool.”
With places reopening in Kansas, Dick has been able to work out at Sunrise Christian.
“Wichita is pretty much opening back up again so we have access to Sunrise now,” he said. “We’re just going in there in the weight room with the weights coach and right after that we’re going to the court to get some game shots in.”
According to 247Sports, Dick is ranked as the No. 9 small forward and the No. 34 overall player in the Class of 2022.
“I’d say I’m a tall, lengthy, really versatile player and since I grew up being a really good shooter, humbly, I can shoot it,” Dick said. “Over the years, I’ve really grew up and upgraded my athletic ability so now if I’m not shooting real well, I can pump fake and go to the rim. Adding that versatility to my game was really helpful.”
Follow Jacob on TwitterFollow Adam Zagoria on TwitterAnd Like ZAGS on Facebook
