MEMPHIS ? Drew Gooden wasted little time making a good first impression on his new boss.

And the Grizzlies’ first-round draft pick did so before even taking the court Tuesday night for his debut.

This is a story about a guy so excited to play basketball that he intentionally skipped the lucrative part of being taken No. 4 overall in the NBA draft.

Gooden was supposed to meet a Grizzlies representative earlier that evening to sign his rookie contract. But the 6-10 forward from Kansas got antsy when a bus headed for the Grizzlies’ summer camp threatened to depart before his business appointment.

The 15-minute ride in sweltering weather to the gym won out over documents detailing a guaranteed three-year, $9 million deal.

“I had to go,” Gooden said, smiling. “I didn’t want to be late for practice.”

Fortunately for Gooden, the person he stood up arrived in the gym with the contract just before practice was to begin.

Gooden signed the paperwork. And as far as Griz coach Sidney Lowe is concerned, the Drew Gooden Era is off to an impressive start.

“That’s good to see,” Lowe said, chuckling. “He didn’t want me to see him come in late.”

Gooden actually arrived at Rhodes College in time for the Grizzlies’ morning session. But he was held out of game contact because the contract issue had not been resolved.

Instead, Gooden spent Tuesday morning standing on the sideline and learning plays.

He then worked out individually. By the night session, Gooden was “hyped” and it showed.

“I was excited,” Gooden said. “I was a little jumpy today because I was excited that I signed.”

Negotiations went smoothly. The Grizzlies will pay Gooden the maximum allowed the fourth pick under rules of the league’s rookie scale.

China’s Yao Ming, the top overall pick, could receive a three-year contract worth $12.4 million from Houston. No. 2 pick Jay Williams is eligible to get a package worth $11.1 million, and Golden State could pay No. 3 pick Mike Dunleavy Jr. a total of $9.9 over his first three years.

Gooden already has some of his money earmarked. He’ll buy his father, Andrew, a new home. His mother, Ulla, can now live a lavish retirement.

What plans does Drew Gooden have for himself? Those center squarely on basketball. Gooden’s goal is to prove he can play small forward as effectively as he did the power position in college.

“I want to make a name for myself, knowing that when the season starts I’ll be a guy that can play in the NBA,” Gooden said, explaining what he wants to accomplish in summer league play. “A lot of people have been watching me but they haven’t seen what I can do. I like to run and jump and do the little things to help the team. I like to get the ball back and make baskets.”

Playing for the first time in two weeks, Gooden struggled with his timing but not enthusiasm.

“You could see his athleticism, his effort,” Lowe said. “He picked the plays up right away. His basketball IQ is high. You could see he was rushing because he was so excited to be out there and playing. But I thought it was a very good first day.”

The first of what the Grizzlies believe will be many days when, if anything, Gooden is thinking basketball.