K Academy, Part 2: Coaches Give Gravley Hard Time At Evaluation Time

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K Academy, Part 2: Coaches Give Gravley Hard Time At Evaluation Time

Nov 8, 2003

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DURHAM, N.C. — The first tense moments of the K Academy, Duke's inaugural fantasy basketball camp for players 30 and older, came when 41 campers had to be divided into four teams.

It was a difficult process that tested the keen evaluting skills of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and the rest of the camp coaches, like former Duke players Billy King, Jay Bilas, Johnny Dawkins, Mike Gminski, Chris Collins and Steve Wojciehowski.

Before players were drafted, plenty of questions had to be answered.

"So," WRAL's Jeff Gravley asked Wojciehowski. "How hard are you guys going to be on us?"

Wojo replied: "It depends on how bad you are."

There was a wide range of talent to choose from, and the players-turned-coaches had about an hour to evaluate.

"I'm looking to see if they (the campers) are in shape to make it up and down the court more than twice," King said.

Bilas said his goal, simply, was "nobody dies.

"If nobody dies," he said, smiling, "it's a good week."

For the record, it was a good week. But draft day proved a humbling tryout for Gravley, wearing No. 54.

"It's hard to find 54," Krzyzewski said. "Usually, somebody is doing something good or something bad. He's one of those mediocre players where you just don't notice him."

Said King: "I don't think I have any notes on him. Was he out there? Has he touched the ball?"

"Yes," Dawkins said. "But every time he has, something bad has happened."

Bilas told Gravley the scouting report said "force you left."

"Really?" Gravley said. "That's my strong side."

Bilas replied: "That's a sad story."

Gravley managed to get noticed before the evaluation period ended.

"Oh, he got the rebound," Dawkins said, watching the action on the court. "Oh, he scored. I'm writing that down."

However few there, the confidential notes were taken to the war room, where the coaches prepared to make their draft picks.

That night, all the campers felt like No. 1 draft picks.

Gravley's name was the fouth name written on the board.

"In an attempt to suck up to the local media, we drafted Jeff Gravley from WRAL," Gminski said.

Gravley now had a team, the Nets, coached by Gminski, Collins and Mike Dunleavy.