Sunday, June 6, 2004
Chalmers one-man exhibit for NBA
College basketball insider
If Lionel Chalmers is going to continue to impress NBA teams, it's going to be in individual workouts.
The former Xavier point guard was left off the 65-man roster for the Chicago pre-draft camp, which runs Tuesday through Friday, though he's worked out for almost a dozen teams and could be a second-round draft choice.
Three players attending the camp are Xavier's Romain Sato, Cincinnati's Tony Bobbitt and Kentucky's Erik Daniels, who played high school basketball at Princeton.
"It's not a big deal if I do or I don't," Chalmers said about playing this week in Chicago. "The teams know what I can do. They've seen enough of me."
Chalmers is an alternate for the Chicago camp, meaning he could receive a late invitation if a point guard drops out.
Most recently, Chalmers worked out for the Miami Heat. He was also in Cleveland this week and has been in the gym for several other teams including Toronto, Portland, Boston, New York, Memphis and Detroit. The draft is June 24.
"By the end of the process he will have worked out for 75 percent of the league," said Chalmers' agent Justin Zanick. "NBA teams know what he can do, and they're excited about him."
Chalmers has been training and practicing at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for about two months, and uses the academy as a home base while he travels to various workouts.
Chalmers not being in Chicago prevents teams from seeing him in five-on-five settings. Usually in individual workouts, four players compete in two-on-two games.
General managers know Chalmers can score. From the workouts, they have evaluated if he's capable of being a pro point guard and if his superb play in the NCAA Tournament was more than a fluke.
SCHEDULE CLOSING IN: Xavier has one date open before its non-conference schedule is complete for the upcoming season. The Musketeers are expected to open the season against UNC Asheville at home. Other home games include Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, Marshall, Lehigh, Mississippi State, Iowa State and Miami (OH). Road games are at Tennessee, Miami (Fla.) and Cincinnati.
COLE WORKING OUT: Sophomore center Brandon Cole has lost 13 pounds since the end of the season, sticking to a weight-lifting and exercise plan implemented so he can compete for a starting spot this season.
SIGNED AND DELIVERED: Freshman recruit Churchill Odia's parents have signed his national letter of intent for him to attend Xavier. The only hurdle that remains is Odia's visa status, which is in the process of being changed from a visitor visa to a student visa.
CAMPING: Xavier coach Thad Matta is preparing for his annual camp. The first day sessions are from June 14-17 and are open to boys in grades 2-9. Other day camp dates are June 21-24 and July 19-22. The overnight camp, open to boys 8-17, is June 27-July 1. Call 745-3417 for more information.
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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com
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