With the 61st pick the Mavs select...

your_dallas_mavericks · Post #1 » by **your_dallas_mavericks** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:54 pm

link

Low invited to play on Mavs' summer teams
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

As expected, former three-time Advertiser State Player of the Year Derrick Low was not among the 60 players selected in yesterday's NBA Draft, but his dream of becoming the first Hawai'i-grown player to make an NBA roster since the 1950s is still alive.

Low — a 2004 'Iolani School graduate from Honolulu and standout at Washington State University — has been invited to play for the Dallas Mavericks' summer league teams in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City next month. Low's agent, Sam Goldfeder, notified him shortly after the draft ended last night and Donnie Nelson, Dallas' president of basketball operations, called Low at about 8:15 p.m. to personally extend the invitation.

The summer league teams generally consist of drafted and undrafted rookies, players who just completed their first year in the NBA, plus free agents and players from the NBA's Developmental League.

Low, a 6-foot-1 point guard who had a personal workout with the Mavericks on Tuesday before returning to Honolulu that night for the first time in 10 months, said he expects to leave Hawai'i next week to prepare for the leagues.

"For sure I would have loved to be drafted, but sometimes it works out better to be a free agent rather than being drafted in the second round," Low said. "There was some disappointment, but I didn't get too down. Now I have an opportunity to make the NBA through the back door, so I have to make the most of it."

Low had personal workouts with five NBA teams prior to the draft: the Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics.

"Donnie Nelson said, 'We selected you with the 61st pick,' " Low said. "He said they're looking forward to having me join them and he likes the kind of player I am, he said I know how to play basketball. He said he has me (labeled) as an NBA player, so I'm glad he has that trust and faith in me."

Goldfeder, a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based agent whose Excel Sports Management firm already has several NBA clients, said the Mavericks "are very excited to have" Low.

"With Derrick's talent and perseverance, especially his doggedness, he's always got a shot," Goldfeder said.

"He'll be playing in both the Las Vegas and Rocky Mountain Review leagues, so he'll have a long summer to show his wares. Derrick will always play hard, so that will always result in good things."

Low said he will trust in what has gotten him to this point, on the doorstep of realizing a childhood dream.

"I'm just going to play my game and do what I did in the (Dallas) workout, because I had to have left an impression with them," Low said. "I know I'm getting close (to the NBA), it's right in front of me now.

"It should be fun. I can't wait."

See Nakama's blog at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Low's nbadraft.net profile

Realmavsman · Post #2 » by **Realmavsman** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:13 pm

Great!!! Love a PG who averages 1.4 assists per game. Comparison to Steve Nash...are you kidding me?

What is he a black hole at PG?

Mavericks better dust off a shelf to hold that Larry O'Brien trophy.

Rand10 · Post #3 » by **Rand10** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:47 pm

I like it. Hopefully Barea 2.0 with a little more size.

Realmavsman wrote:Great!!! Love a PG who averages 1.4 assists per game. Comparison to Steve Nash...are you kidding me?

What is he a black hole at PG?

Mavericks better dust off a shelf to hold that Larry O'Brien trophy.

Washington State used Kyle Weaver as their main playmaker and Low played off the ball a lot. He's definitely more of a scorer than a pure point guard, but there are a ton of guys like that in the league who have found roles. We'll see how he does in the summer league when he has to handle the ball more.

Maverick Junkie · Post #4 » by **Maverick Junkie** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:26 pm

I Like it, don't love it. Personally, I think I would have rather had Neitzel, but how do you not like a guy who busts his ass, and plays smart basketball all the time? He better cut that dam pony tail! I can't be having my Mav Point Gaurd running the show with a pony tail! I think I just talked myself out of it. I Hate this Kid!!!! Give me Neitzel, he shaves his head. Very acceptable.

LeBron's Time · Post #5 » by **LeBron's Time** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:36 pm

DAVON JEFFERSON

NBA Comparison: Cedric Ceballos
Strengths: Has an advanced offensive skill level for a high schooler ... Excellent face up game with an automatic 12-15 foot jump shot, and lethal first step which he uses to attack the rim ... He is great in transition, tip dunks, finishes very well ... Intiguing combination of size and athleticism ... At 6-8 he has inside/outside ability ... Knows how to play in the post and with his back to the basket ... Long arms allow him to play bigger than his size ... Good foot work and body control, really excels around the basket ... Tries to dunk everything ... Well developed muscular frame ... Long arms and extremely quick and agile for a player his size ... Excellent rebounder ... Good fundamentals as he boxes out and knows how to use his body and athleticism to his advantage when rebounding ... Nice shot blocker ... Capable of spectacular plays ...

your_dallas_mavericks · Post #6 » by **your_dallas_mavericks** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:55 am

Maverick Junkie wrote:I Like it, don't love it. Personally, I think I would have rather had Neitzel, but how do you not like a guy who busts his ass, and plays smart basketball all the time? He better cut that dam pony tail! I can't be having my Mav Point Gaurd running the show with a pony tail! I think I just talked myself out of it. I Hate this Kid!!!! Give me Neitzel, he shaves his head. Very acceptable.

You had me rollin'! That was hilarious! I still want a Brad Davis clone on the modern day Mavs though. I remember Davis' play, if you look up hustle in the dictionary - his picture is listed as the prime example.

Darren · Post #7 » by **Darren** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:57 am

That's a bad joke. The only thing I can tell is - they're looking for PG without a clear knowing the quality they're looking for. I think we're looking for someone like Eddie House. But Cuban opts not to open his pocket to grab Chambers in the draft concern me about his sincerity towards winning.

italy_23 · Post #8 » by **italy_23** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:36 am

wow, are we getting excited about the undrafted guys? no good

dirkforpres · Post #9 » by **dirkforpres** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:39 am

I wouldnt mind bringing in Neitzel. Summer league guys like this are a joke though. I could put together a team consisting of co-workers that could make as much noise in the NBA as a bunch of the Mavs summer leaguers.

Maverick Junkie · Post #10 » by **Maverick Junkie** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:14 pm

I think these undrafted Free Agents are important. I bet you at least 5 possibly 7 summer league players will make our team. You are not Mavy enough to not hope to hit on a few of these guys. They are all athletic as hell, and need a good coach to help them develope.

WE HAVE A GREAT COACH!!!!!!!!

italy_23 · Post #11 » by **italy_23** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:11 am

lol and amen