MINDEN - This has been a spring to remember for Douglas senior Julie Gingrich.
Not only did the Tigers' 6-foot forward receive an academic scholarship to the University of Portland, but she accepted an invitation to be a a member of the Pilots' basketball program as a preferred walk-on.
Gingrich, who plays on the Nevada Basketball Academy team coached by Jason Glover and averaged 13 points a game last season at Douglas, was playing in a tournament in Arizona last month when she caught the eye of Sean Kelly, Portland assistant coach.
"He watched me play a couple of games," Gingrich said. "Coach Kelly told me that if I was interested in playing up there, they would love to have me.
"I'm a little excited. We're going to take a trip up there and see the campus and see what they've got going."
Kelly said that the Pilots have two walk-on players each year on their 15-man roster.
"We're excited to have Julie come up here," Kelly said. "I've watched Julie play a few times the last couple of years. She played very well in Arizona. Julie is a good basketball player and student. It's a double win for us."
Gingrich, who played every position except point guard at Douglas, said she hasn't been told what position she'd be playing.
"The coach called me. and he's not too concerned about that," she said. "With their programs, there are no real positions. Everybody supposed to be able to do everything."
"I like that she can play more than one position," Kelly said. "I see her more as a four in our system, but I think she could play anywhere from a two to a four. We like to get up and down the floor."
Kelly likes Gingrich's athleticism, but appreciates her desire even more.
"The big thing I like about her is her desire to get better," Kelly said. "Once you give her an opportunity, she'll jump at it and prove you right. I'm excited about her."
Gingrich said playing on the NBA team has helped her improve her game, and she's excited about making the jump to college basketball.
"My (NBA) coach knows some of the players at UNR, and they would come over and we would scrimmage with them, and I was able to hang with them," Gingrich said. "That makes me feel better about going Division I."
Portland has eight upperclassmen on its roster, including Hawthorne's Ashlee Orndorff (11.6 points and 8.3 rebounds a game), and those players are expected to get the bulk of the playing time, according to Kelly.
That will give Gingrich plenty of time to get adjusted to the college game and life away from home.
Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281.
