Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay

Gay with UConn coach Jim Calhoun
No. 22 – Memphis Grizzlies
Position	Shooting guard/Small forward/Power forward
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1986-08-17) August 17, 1986 Template:City-state
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school	Eastern Technical Archbishop Spalding
College	UConn
NBA draft	2006: 8th overall
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career	2006–present
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Rudy Carlton Gay, Jr. (born August 17, 1986 in Template:City-state) is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Gay played collegiately at the University of Connecticut.

Early life

Gay began playing competitive recreational basketball at 12 years old in the Turner Station community of Template:City-state in one of the toughest youth basketball leagues in the area. Early exposure to Baltimore AAU basketball and summer league games in the Tom Jones Youth Summer League in Washington, D.C., showcased his abilities against top competition.

At the age of 14, Rudy began playing for the nationally-known Cecil-Kirk AAU program under Coach Anthony Lewis with other blue-chip players such as Josh Boone (UConn), Paris Carter (N Mexico), and Chester Frazier (Illinois). During the spring of his 8th grade year, Gay and teammate Scott Dozier were highly sought after by several private schools. Rudy attended Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County, while Scott enrolled at the St. Paul's School. Rudy transferred to Archbishop Spalding High School of the Baltimore Catholic League after his sophomore year at Eastern Tech.

High school career

Gay played his first two years at Baltimore County's Eastern Technical High School, a magnet school in Essex. He played varsity basketball both years. Although Eastern Tech was a Blue Ribbon academic institution, Gay's parents were concerned about his college preparation and during the summer of his sophomore year solicited help from Coach Collins who suggested several private schools, including Archbishop Spalding High School. After reviewing each school's long term academic curriculum, it was decided that Gay would attend Spalding. Gay began playing for Spalding his Junior and senior years.

He was one of the top recruits entering college play after attending Archbishop Spalding High School where he was 1st team All-Baltimore Catholic League honors as a junior and senior, and was also honored as the Baltimore Sun's co-player of the year. He was the Washington Post All Met Basketball Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American, and a Parade First Team All-American in his senior year after averaging 21.2 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks.

Recruiting controversy

Gay's college recruitment and decision to attend the University of Connecticut over the University of Maryland were controversial. Sentiment at Archbishop Spalding and in the local area were heavily in favor of Gay committing to Maryland. Gay had expressed a desire to attend Maryland and that he grew up rooting for the Terrapins. Ultimately, however, Gay chose UConn. With heavy involvement of an AAU coach and high school coach, there was an appearance of impropriety, although no NCAA recruiting violations have been discovered. According to individuals close to Maryland head coach Gary Williams, Gay's recruitment demonstrated that to secure the most sought after players necessitates rule violations. Williams has stated that he is unwilling to do such things, even at the expense of recruiting.

College career

Gay was often regarded as the most talented player in college basketball. Throughout his college career, Gay was known for his high-flying dunks and ability to do everything on the court. He was a co-winner (with Jeff Green of Georgetown University) of the 2005 Big East Conference Freshman of the Year award. Gay was also named the National Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News.

In the summer of 2005, Gay was invited to play for the USA's Men's Under-21 World Championship Team. He performed well, posting one double-double while averaging 10.5 points a game and 5.5 rebounds.

Before his sophomore season began, Gay was nominated as Big East Preseason player of the year, along with Syracuse star, Gerry McNamara. After the season concluded, Gay was one of four division one college players nominated for the Naismith Player of the Year Award (along with J. J. Redick, Adam Morrison, and Allan Ray). Also, he was a unanimous selection to the Big East's First Team. He tallied his career high in points with 28 versus Arkansas in the second game of the 2005-2006 season. Gay led the UConn Huskies to a 30-3 record, often the highest scorer, before losing to #11 seed George Mason in overtime, 86-84.

NBA career

Draft

Gay, widely regarded as one of the top future NBA prospects, announced on April 17 that he would enter the 2006 NBA Draft. He was selected with the 8th overall pick in the draft by the Houston Rockets. Gay was disappointed since he was picked later than expected.

Despite his drop in draft position, many teams still coveted him. Memphis Grizzlies' President of Basketball Operations Jerry West swung a deal to send Shane Battier to the Rockets in exchange for Stromile Swift and the rights to Gay.

Memphis Grizzlies

Gay averaged 10.8 points a game, although the Grizzlies won 22 games that season and missed the playoffs. In 2007-2008, his second season, Gay averaged 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and after Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers during the season, he became the team's leading scorer. But the Grizzlies still ended up with the same record as the previous year.

After his invitation to the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, Gay and YouTube teamed up for the Rudy Gay Slam Dunk Contest promotion, in which he asked fans to upload footage of their best dunks for him to attempt during the contest.

rudy silvas is one of rudys gays right hand men PERIOD!

Statistics

2003-2004 (High School Senior)

• 21.2 Points Per Game
• 9.2 Rebounds Per Game
• 3.7 Blocks Per Game

2004-2005 (UCONN Freshman)

• 11.4 Points Per Game
• 5.4 Rebounds Per Game
• 1.5 Assists Per Game
• 1.9 Blocks Per Game

2005-2006 (UCONN Sophomore)

• 15.2 Points Per Game
• 6.4 Rebounds Per Game
• 2.1 Assists Per Game
• 1.6 Blocks Per Game

NBA career

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2006–07	Memphis	78	43	27.0	.422	.364	.727	4.5	1.3	.9	.9	10.8
2007–08	Memphis	81	81	37.0	.461	.346	.785	6.2	2.0	1.4	1.0	20.1
Career		159	124	32.1	.447	.351	.762	5.3	1.6	1.1	.9	15.6

External links

• The Official Site of Rudy Gay
• Template:NBA-profile
• Template:Basketball-reference
• Rudy Gay NBA Draft Profile
• USA Basketball profile
• ESPN college profile
• Bio @ uconnhuskies.com