Gabe Pruitt, a consistent scorer at USC, wants to bring a defensive focus to his contribution to the Celtics. In his professional debut against the Trailblazers on Friday night in the Las Vegas Summer League, Pruitt played 18 minutes and finished with 7 points (on 3 for 6 shooting), 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, and 1 steal. According to Shira Springer of the Boston Globe, Celtic executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers know Pruitt’s an athlete who can score, but Pruitt acknowledges that ”they just want to see me really defend… [I have to] come in and really show I can be that great defender.” Although Pruitt has played against Kevin Durant, Brandon Wright, and other offensive heavyweights while at SC, he now has bigger fish to fry, according to Hoopsworld:

[I want to play against] Kobe Bryant and LeBron James…Those are the guys who I watched a lot growing up. I’m really excited to play against those guys to get a feel and see what it’s like.

The Boston Globe also reported today that, according to Ainge, contract negotiations with Pruitt are ongoing, but Ainge doesn’t expect that Pruitt or fellow second-round pick Glen “Big Baby” Davis of LSU will sign deals until at least the conclusion of the summer league.

In Vegas: Gabe Pruitt is Ready to Work (Hoopsworld)
Celtics’ Rondo showing drive: Rondo, Pruitt have work cut out (Boston Globe)