Published: June 27, 2009 10:37 pm      

BASKETBALL: Gamble's in good position to play pro

Reggie Witherspoon’s gamble at the point is still paying dividends.

For the University at Buffalo basketball coach, his bold decision to shift senior small forward Greg Gamble to point guard, a position he’d never played before, facilitated a 21-win season and a run to the Mid-American Conference championship game. Witherspoon hadn’t achieved that much success since the graduation of all-time great point guard Turner Battle four years earlier.

For Gamble, becoming a point guard put him in a better position to play professional basketball.

“Wings at the pro level are 6-6, 6-7, with crazy athleticism,” Gamble explained this week. “Me, I’m 6-3-and-a-half, maybe. And just a regular athlete. But, like my friend Jonny Flynn says, I’ve got this big thing beating inside my chest.”

Gamble’s heart, toughness and leadership qualities allowed him to overcome his lack of experience at the point guard position, and he was an honorable mention on the all-conference team.

Now he’s become the second graduate of the new Niagara Falls High School to play basketball for a living overseas, joining Jeff Parmer, who spent last season in Spain.

Gamble will travel to Chicago this week to play in a showcase event for international scouts. The following week, he’ll do the same in Las Vegas. Gamble will be looking to impress not only potential employers, but possible partners, as he has yet to hire an agent.

After holding his own against first-round draft prospects Gerald Henderson and Toney Douglas in a recent workout for the Toronto Raptors, Gamble is excited about his professional prospects.

“It’s more like a summer league than a tryout,” Gamble said. “Without an agent, I consider myself to be blessed for what I’m doing. These camps are invitation-only. They just e-mailed me one day and told me I was invited.”

Gamble said he doesn’t believe he’d have the same opportunities if he had not switched positions.

“I think I flourished at point guard,” he said. “I think I have the instincts and the physicality to play there.”

Gamble has been advised by several former Bulls who have played overseas in recent years, including Battle, who is now a UB assistant.

“He told me to be aggressive and be assertive, and not to be impatient,” Gamble said. “I can’t make somebody want to sign me. I just have to play basketball.

“... I’m looking forward to the entire experience. Everybody has the dream of going big. Whatever happens after that, wherever I land, that’s where God intended for me to be.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.