''There are a lot of guys that have great size, but they can't do anything down there because either they have bad hands or something else going on,'' coach Scott Skiles said after Friday's morning practice session. ''He's got pretty good hands, and he's got a soft touch. He's an interesting guy that we just want to keep working with and see where it goes.''

Though it's usually a struggle for second-round picks to make an NBA roster, Gray figures to be with the Bulls all season barring some unforeseen development. But the former Pittsburgh center is taking nothing for granted and is focusing on learning as much as possible from starting center Ben Wallace.

''He's got a great attitude,'' Gray said of Wallace. ''He's really a great person to come in and learn from. He's not just out there doing the things he needs to do and not helping us. He's constantly communicating with us, telling us what we need to do, helping us get better.''

Gray was regarded as a defender and rebounder before the draft but has shown some decent offensive skills around the basket.

''The biggest thing for me is just catching up to the speed of the game,'' he said. ''Doing that and working with guys like Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng. You're not going to find a team with quicker guys or [that] plays much faster. It's great being out there and adapting every day.''