BY The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece -- Jason Sasser isn't just going for the gold at the World Basketball Championships. He's looking to resurrect a career. The former NBA draft pick's story and sentiments mirror those of most of his U.S. teammates at the tournament, which starts today. They're thrilled to be given the chance to win a world title -- and to impress some scouts.
"I'm just actually waiting to get back in the NBA. This is a critical year in my career right now," said Sasser, whose own basketball odyssey started as soon as the 1996 draft ended.
Taken 41st out of Texas Tech by the Sacramento Kings, he was traded the next day to the Trail Blazers, who cut him before the season. He had two 10-day contracts with San Antonio and Dallas, but has spent most of the last two seasons playing for the CBA's Sioux Falls Skyforce and a few games in the Spanish League.
Sasser's story is similar to those of many of his U.S. teammates, which include five CBA players, five members of foreign teams, one collegian (Duke's Trajan Langdon), and one player looking for work (Purdue's undrafted Brad Miller).
The roster includes two local players: guard Michael Hawkins, a Xavier graduate, and forward Bill Edwards, who played at Batavia, Carlisle and Middletown High Schools.
Hawkins, who played for Olympiakos in Greece last season, said fans can make it a tough place to play.
"As Americans, we wouldn't dream of throwing objects on the floor and trying to harm the other team or even the referees or their own team," he said. "But they have no control. They're tough fans."
The first test for coach Rudy Tomjanovich's ragtag collection is against Brazil today. The U.S. team's first-round bracket also has Lithuania and South Korea.
Tomjanovich has had about three weeks to get to know the players and find a system suited to their skills.
"I want to be in the NBA. This could help," said Jimmy King, whose "Nothing 2 Lose" tattoo on his left forearm could be this no-name team's motto.
"These guys, if they were on NBA teams, they would be from the 10th to the 12th guy," Tomjanovich acknowledged. "If it's the right situation, they wouldn't embarrass themselves and could help an NBA team."
About 20 NBA clubs will be scouting the championship, which ends Aug. 9.
Yugoslavia is expected to make a run at the gold in a tournament with no real favorite.
