ducks
10-16-2005, 05:04 PM
40-plus players get their shot
By ANGEL H. VERDEJO
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
ARLINGTON - Just over 40 basketball players were at UT-Arlington on Saturday, not exactly knowing what the Fort Worth Flyers were looking for.
The players were given a chance to work with professional coaches and scouts, but when the open tryout was over in the afternoon, they still didn't know which of them would have a future with the NBA Development League and its Fort Worth franchise.
Flyers coach Sam Vincent didn't give any final numbers and names, as the league will process the team's tryout information and recommendations. He did say he was looking at four or five players, including Dallas-area products Anthony Terrell and Alaric Thompson, each of whom could earn a spot at the Flyers' camp, which opens Nov. 5.
Players should hear something within the week, Vincent said.
Terrell, 24, attended Rowlett High School before going to North Carolina-Wilmington, where he was a part of the 2002-03 team that reached the NCAA Tournament. He played in the American Basketball Association last season. Thompson, 20, is a North Mesquite graduate and averaged 7.8 points last season at Paul Quinn College.
"It was a long, drawn-out process, but it was worth it," Terrell said. "If the phone rings, it rings. If it don't, it don't."
Despite lower numbers than originally expected, Vincent said the numbers were very manageable and allowed him to focus on the few talented players who were there.
"We probably only had a few guys who decided to just put some shorts on and go out there," said Vincent, a seven-year NBA veteran. "The majority of the guys we had either played collegiate ball, or maybe played some minor-league ball. Playing-wise, they knew what was going on."
Vincent said he would plan to keep information on players so they can come in during the year to work out. The Flyers will have a 10-player roster.
"We'll need some bodies," Vincent said. "We'll keep a core of guys around when things get going."
Flyers president Todd Speer said it was encouraging to finally see actual basketball with the franchise. The NBDL will have its draft Nov. 3, Speer said, as the teams will draft from a pool of players among the final cuts from NBA camps.
"I'd say we met our expectations, but we also didn't know what to expect," Speer said. "We've been talking about this theoretically, on paper and on the computer screen. It's great to finally see some play on the court."
By ANGEL H. VERDEJO
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
ARLINGTON - Just over 40 basketball players were at UT-Arlington on Saturday, not exactly knowing what the Fort Worth Flyers were looking for.
The players were given a chance to work with professional coaches and scouts, but when the open tryout was over in the afternoon, they still didn't know which of them would have a future with the NBA Development League and its Fort Worth franchise.
Flyers coach Sam Vincent didn't give any final numbers and names, as the league will process the team's tryout information and recommendations. He did say he was looking at four or five players, including Dallas-area products Anthony Terrell and Alaric Thompson, each of whom could earn a spot at the Flyers' camp, which opens Nov. 5.
Players should hear something within the week, Vincent said.
Terrell, 24, attended Rowlett High School before going to North Carolina-Wilmington, where he was a part of the 2002-03 team that reached the NCAA Tournament. He played in the American Basketball Association last season. Thompson, 20, is a North Mesquite graduate and averaged 7.8 points last season at Paul Quinn College.
"It was a long, drawn-out process, but it was worth it," Terrell said. "If the phone rings, it rings. If it don't, it don't."
Despite lower numbers than originally expected, Vincent said the numbers were very manageable and allowed him to focus on the few talented players who were there.
"We probably only had a few guys who decided to just put some shorts on and go out there," said Vincent, a seven-year NBA veteran. "The majority of the guys we had either played collegiate ball, or maybe played some minor-league ball. Playing-wise, they knew what was going on."
Vincent said he would plan to keep information on players so they can come in during the year to work out. The Flyers will have a 10-player roster.
"We'll need some bodies," Vincent said. "We'll keep a core of guys around when things get going."
Flyers president Todd Speer said it was encouraging to finally see actual basketball with the franchise. The NBDL will have its draft Nov. 3, Speer said, as the teams will draft from a pool of players among the final cuts from NBA camps.
"I'd say we met our expectations, but we also didn't know what to expect," Speer said. "We've been talking about this theoretically, on paper and on the computer screen. It's great to finally see some play on the court."