Marklar MM
07-01-2005, 01:32 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2098709
T.O. could join rookies, others in Vegas for hoops
Will Terrell Owens play some summertime hoops as the star ponders a potential training camp holdout?
It's a longer shot than a 3-point buzzer-beater from half court. But maybe.
Owens
In the latest twist to Owens' offseason saga, the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver has been invited to play for the Sacramento Kings' summer league team. The invitation to join Sacramento draft choices, free agents, younger veterans and music mogul Master P on the roster was confirmed Friday by agent Drew Rosenhaus and a Kings spokesman.
There is one considerable caveat: Owens' latest roundball flirtation is actually in the Eagles' court.
Sacramento officials will only allow Owens to participate if the Eagles grant permission. Given the current state of affairs between the Eagles and Owens, who has skipped all the club's offseason workouts as he seeks to upgrade the seven-year, $49 million contract he signed last summer, gaining such clearance could be difficult.
"Obviously, he would love to do it, since he enjoys the game [of basketball] so much and it would be a unique conditioning tool," Rosenhaus said. "But we'll see what happens. We don't know yet. The Kings certainly don't want any [potential legal] entanglements."
Rosenhaus said that Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie has phoned Philadelphia officials. The Eagles office was closed on Friday and team president Joe Banner did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone. Time is a factor for Owens because the Las Vegas summer league in which the Kings are entered begins play next week.
A Kings spokesman said it is believed the invitation was extended because of Owens' friendship with Sacramento owners Joe Maloof and Gavin Maloof.
Owens' interest in basketball is well documented. He played basketball for three seasons in college at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, starting five games in that stretch, and in the summer of 2002 appeared in five games for the Adirondack Wildcats of the United States Basketball League.
In 2000, Owens won the celebrity dunking competition at the NBA All-Star Game played in Oakland. He also has a full-size basketball court at his home in Atlanta, which he uses as part of his personal conditioning program.
As for Owens' primary occupation, Rosenhaus said that the situation remains status quo, but that he did speak with Banner recently.
Rosenhaus strongly hinted that Owens would consider a trade, but said he has been denied permission by the Eagles organization to seek out trade scenarios, and that he knows of no current discussions to move his client to another team.
"Right now," Rosenhaus said, "I'm not sure what to expect."
T.O. could join rookies, others in Vegas for hoops
Will Terrell Owens play some summertime hoops as the star ponders a potential training camp holdout?
It's a longer shot than a 3-point buzzer-beater from half court. But maybe.
Owens
In the latest twist to Owens' offseason saga, the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver has been invited to play for the Sacramento Kings' summer league team. The invitation to join Sacramento draft choices, free agents, younger veterans and music mogul Master P on the roster was confirmed Friday by agent Drew Rosenhaus and a Kings spokesman.
There is one considerable caveat: Owens' latest roundball flirtation is actually in the Eagles' court.
Sacramento officials will only allow Owens to participate if the Eagles grant permission. Given the current state of affairs between the Eagles and Owens, who has skipped all the club's offseason workouts as he seeks to upgrade the seven-year, $49 million contract he signed last summer, gaining such clearance could be difficult.
"Obviously, he would love to do it, since he enjoys the game [of basketball] so much and it would be a unique conditioning tool," Rosenhaus said. "But we'll see what happens. We don't know yet. The Kings certainly don't want any [potential legal] entanglements."
Rosenhaus said that Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie has phoned Philadelphia officials. The Eagles office was closed on Friday and team president Joe Banner did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone. Time is a factor for Owens because the Las Vegas summer league in which the Kings are entered begins play next week.
A Kings spokesman said it is believed the invitation was extended because of Owens' friendship with Sacramento owners Joe Maloof and Gavin Maloof.
Owens' interest in basketball is well documented. He played basketball for three seasons in college at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, starting five games in that stretch, and in the summer of 2002 appeared in five games for the Adirondack Wildcats of the United States Basketball League.
In 2000, Owens won the celebrity dunking competition at the NBA All-Star Game played in Oakland. He also has a full-size basketball court at his home in Atlanta, which he uses as part of his personal conditioning program.
As for Owens' primary occupation, Rosenhaus said that the situation remains status quo, but that he did speak with Banner recently.
Rosenhaus strongly hinted that Owens would consider a trade, but said he has been denied permission by the Eagles organization to seek out trade scenarios, and that he knows of no current discussions to move his client to another team.
"Right now," Rosenhaus said, "I'm not sure what to expect."