Gradey Dick talks about family, work ethic and Fred VanVleet

Gradey Dick moved his father to tears on Monday.

Picked 13th overall in the NBA Draft last Thursday, the newest Toronto Raptors sharpshooter visited his new basketball home over the weekend and was taunted by reporters after a morning workout with head coach Darko Rajakovic at the team’s practice facility.

19-year-old Dick was asked if he has had much contact with Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who played collegiately in Dick’s hometown for the Wichita State Shockers.

He said he first met VanVleet as a youngster when he worked at the school’s summer camp. He added that the last piece of memorabilia he would look at when he left his bedroom was a poster size blow-up of a newspaper article about VanVleet with the headline “Not Drafted” – a gift from his father.

The story had struck a chord with Dick’s father, who wanted his son to be motivated by VanVleet’s basketball journey.

“He’s getting a little emotional,” said 19-year-old Dick with a smile as he pointed to his father Bart.

Dick left little doubt about how important family is to him. The self-assured six-foot, 205-pound teen praises Bart for his attitude on the field, the importance of body language and other tricks of the trade.

But Dick also sings the praises of his six-foot-tall mother, Carmen, for his marksmanship. She was Iowa State’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1989 and still holds school records for second-best career shooting percentage and most free throws in a game.

The new Raptors guard/forward also mentioned how much he learned from watching his older brothers Riley and Brodey and older sister Kelsey on and off the field.

“We are a close-knit family,” says Dick.

Dick drew a lot of attention on the draft night when he stepped onto the stage in a red sequined jacket. He explained that the outfit was a tribute to Kansas’s most famous fictional character, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and her red shoes.

Gradey Dick poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 13th overall by the Toronto Raptors during the NBA basketball draft on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

He also revealed that he enjoyed wearing an even more vibrant ensemble.

“I could have gotten a little crazier,” said Dick. “I toned it down a bit, but it still ended up being pretty loud.”

He toned down his style on Monday, sporting a beige pinstripe suit and white T-shirt as he revealed he will be wearing number 1 in Toronto. He wore No. 1 at Sunrise Christian Academy, but wore No. 4 in his one-off season at the University of Kansas because third-year guard Joseph Yesufu already owned No. 1.

Dick and his family arrived in Toronto on Friday night to get to know the city.

On Sunday, he attended the Toronto Blue Jays game and enjoyed watching fans all over the city quickly greet the young athlete with high fives and “Welcome to Toronto.”

“I think I hit the jackpot by being able to come here,” he said.

Dick’s three-point shooting and basketball IQ drew him to the Raptors.

This fact is reflected in his opinion of the game. For example, he believes that Larry Bird and Steph Curry were two of the best sharpshooters of all time in the game.

Dick also enjoys studying the skill of Basketball Hall of Famer Reggie Miller and Golden State Warrior guards Klay Thompson and Curry as he continues to work on his craft.

Dick wants to improve his fitness this summer because he believes the best shooters in the game are in top shape to wear out the opposing defenders.

He’s also open to his role with the Raptors in the fall.

“Confidence comes from preparation,” he said.

“I just want to be the guy who perfects every role he gets.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 26, 2023.

Toronto Raptors first round draft pick Gradey Dick poses for photos wearing a jersey after being introduced to the media in Toronto, Monday, June 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj