Credit Roy Williams for an assist in former Kansas University point guard Jacque Vaughn landing a free agent contract with the Orlando Magic.
Williams, who coached Vaughn at Kansas from 1994 to ’97, spoke with Magic general manager John Gabriel about Vaughn’s leadership ability earlier this week at the U.S. Junior World Championship qualifying team tryouts in Miami.
Williams was at the tryouts to recruit David Padgett, a 6-foot-11 prospect from Reno, Nev., who is expected to make the U.S. team.
Gabriel was on hand to speak to Williams about Vaughn, who on Wednesday signed a one-year deal worth $699,935, the minimum salary for a player with five-years of experience.
“He’s probably a pass first, shoot second type point guard,” said Gabriel, who told the Orlando Sentinel of Williams’ recommendation.
“There was probably a time in this league when 90 percent of them thought like that. Now it’s maybe about 25 percent of them that think that way.”
Vaughn, a Pasadena, Calif., native who has purchased a Lawrence home and will be married Saturday, has previously called Williams a “father figure.”
“As far as being a coach on the floor, Jacque is the best I’ve ever had,” Williams said. “He’s concerned with how his teammates are doing. He is one of the most disciplined young men I have been around. He is personable and bright, one of the truly great players to play at Kansas, one of the greatest I’ve ever coached.”
Vaughn this summer played in a pickup basketball game at KU in front of Williams’ campers. Risking the possibility of injury, he did so despite the fact he had yet to sign with another team.
“I did it for coach Williams,” Vaughn said. “That’s why I was playing.”
Gooden update: Former KU forward Drew Gooden averaged 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds in seven games for the Memphis Grizzlies’ summer league team which won two games and lost five in games played in Long Beach, Calif. He averaged 4.1 turnovers per game.
“I have a lot of learning to do,” the 6-10, 230-pounder told the Long Beach Press Telegram. “The biggest thing for me is just learning to play smart. I’ve made some mistakes, but that’s why they call us, ‘rookies.”‘
Jerry West, Grizzlies president of basketball operations, wasn’t overly concerned with Gooden’s mistakes.
“We got a terrific rookie, who’s going to be a helluva player,” West said. “The most important thing that we can get out of this is trying to get him experience. But from a win-loss standpoint, it didn’t look good.”
