Monday, July 08, 2002
Recker trying to make it as free agent
The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The beach can wait. Luke Recker's first concern is making the team.
Recker, passed over in the June 26 NBA draft, has signed a free agent contract with the Miami Heat. The former Iowa guard and Indiana Mr. Basketball will play for Miami's summer league team this month.
“I'm not going to Miami to hang out on South Beach,” Recker said. “Maybe if I make the team I'll go check out the waves. Right now, I'm committed to making the team.”
Recker, who transferred to Iowa after two years at Indiana, led the Hawkeyes with a 17.1 scoring average last season and was an academic All-American. He said more than 10 NBA teams contacted him the day after the draft. He signed with Miami a day later.
“It looked like the best opportunity for me to make that team,” Recker said. “I think I have a good opportunity to stick.”
Miami drafted forwards Caron Butler of Connecticut and Rasual Butler of LaSalle. Recker, former Iowa teammate Reggie Evans and Caron Butler have been working out together in Los Angeles. Evans also went undrafted.
The Heat's top two guards are point guard Rod Strickland and shooting guard Eddie Jones. Anthony Carter is the first guard off the bench.
“It's not going to be easy,” Recker said. “But I've been through a lot in my life to prepare me to hang with the best.”
Once the summer league ends, Recker said he'll spend August and September preparing for Miami's veterans camp, which opens Oct. 2.
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