Zach: We talked about what really is kind of known about you, your offensive bag, everything like that. What do you really think is the most slept on part of your game?
Grant: I think my ability to just make plays for others and really create for the team a lot of the times, especially this past year, I had to be a little bit more aggressive, aggressive on offense, decided to take a couple of shots that probably weren’t the best shot.
But at the same time, I felt like I showed a lot that I can lead a team. I can make all the right plays at the point guard position or even at the shooting guard position. I think just overall, my playmaking is something that’s slept on right now and definitely something I can’t wait to show teams that I have.
Zach: I definitely agree, I mean, you had a career-high in assist percentage this past season and, you know, you’ve just built from your true freshman year on and on and on. So I think you’re onto something there, something that a lot of teams got to pay more attention to for you.
So we’re a little over a month away from the draft. What have you been doing since your season stopped? How have you been preparing from an on-court perspective, from an off-court perspective for this draft upcoming?
Grant: I’ve been out here in L.A. grinding for about two and a half months now, and that’s pretty much been the bulk of my pre-draft process. But just six days of the week hitting the court hard and then as well as hitting the weights and conditioning and hitting it hard. On the court, really just trying to make sure my jumper is good and on point, making sure all the mechanics are right, there are a couple of mechanics improvements that I made. So working at that.
And then off the floor, just kind of take care of my body It’s the first time in a long time everybody gets as much time off. I think that putting in work is important and taking care of all types of knicks and bruises is just as important and I think staying in shape is key too and I’m trying to do as well.
Zach: What has the process been like for you so far? You know, are you talking to teams at all. What exactly have you been doing other than physical prepping to get ready for this?
Grant: Yeah, well, I did a lot of the NBA interviews early on, and then, the quarantine kind of process, only seniors are allowed to do them during that time. So I knocked a lot of the interviews out there and then kind of going into this combine situation now.
I’m talking to more teams again, some teams this is my second time talking to them so I think that early on I talked to a lot of teams and got a good feeling on what I should work on…Now, I’m just going back and talking to them again trying to make a lasting impression.
Zach: Have you had any talks with the Sixers yet? And how have they gone?
Grant: Yeah, I did a team interview with them I think it went really well. Obviously, I told them how excited I would be if I got that opportunity, I know they’ve been in a couple of talks with my agent but at the end of the day, I’m kinda just waiting to see. I talk to them again coming up so I’m looking to make another good impression and hope for the best.
Zach: If you were to be drafted by the 76ers, what would want Sixers fans to know about you more than anything else?
Grant: That they’re getting a humble player, somebody that is coming in, going to do all the right things, gonna work hard to be the best player he can, and from day one try to help the team as much as I can.
Zach: Thanks Grant, I think that you’d be a great fit in Philly. I know you’re gonna be good no matter where you go but I think there’s a clear role for you on this team.
Thoughts
It’s clear to me that whoever drafts Grant Riller will not only be getting a talented player but a humble, yet great, locker room presence as well.
There will be many players for the Sixers to consider with their bevy of picks but Riller seems to be near the top (and rightfully so).
Rumblings seem to suggest that Sixers are considering Riller with either their first or second pick in the draft with serious interest in taking him in the first round.
Riller has the ball-handling ability to serve as a backup Point Guard in the short term and can play comfortably off-ball as well; something the Sixers are desperate for.
In the long run Riller could impress at the next level l, his potential is far from maxed out and he wouldn’t be the first senior guard we’ve seen kill it in the NBA.
The Sixers need Riller’s versatility, shooting, ball-handling. He’s a picture-perfect match for this team and someone who I would pound the table four firmly believing he will be a steal.
Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire
