Pat Connaughton: 'Right now I'm focused on basketball,' 2-sport athlete takes it 'day-by-day'

If only the Portland Sea Dogs were a minor-league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles find themselves out one pitching prospect after Notre Dame senior Pat Connaughton fought his way into the 2015 NBA Draft. The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Connaughton's rights from the Brooklyn Nets after he was selected 41st overall, and worked quickly to sign him to a three-year deal that's reported to have two guaranteed years.

That could make it tough for Connaughton to pay his baseball career much mind - even if the Orioles did make him a fourth-round pick in 2014, and even if he did post an impressive 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 low-A innings last summer.

Connaughton spoke with Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports this week and discussed his status as a two-sport athlete:

Yeah, I'd always kind of gone back and forth. It's just the way it is. For me, baseball doesn't require that much stress. It's an off-day. Pitching doesn't take a lot out of you. So for me, it's just been the balance my entire life. That's the way it's always been, and going forward right now I'm focused on basketball, so we'll see what happens.
...
Right now my intentions are on basketball, but being a two-sport athlete you always take it day-by-day.

The Orioles have moved Connaughton to a minor-league restricted list since he didn't report to camp, but general manager Dan Duquette has maintained optimism that "he has a future in major league baseball." And he may, what with the 97-mph radar readings coming from a 6-foot-5 pitcher, large by baseball standards.

But he also has an NBA future, with near-record-setting athleticism and a terrific 3-point stroke.

The 22-year-old is averaging 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals through five games at Las Vegas Summer League. He stands to be one of Portland's primary shooting weapons in the first year of a fairly substantial rebuilding project.