Scouts, dreams abound at Pyramid

Just how slender the odds of a player making the National Basketball Association is painfully clear at the Southern California Summer Pro Basketball League in The Pyramid.

But it can happen.

"It's not uncommon," said Derek Strong of the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the many NBA reserves participating in the league, which ends with its playoffs this weekend.

"There's a lot of scouts, especially during the [SPL] playoffs. A lot of players play in the Summer League and get invited to veterans camp. It's a step and it takes it to the next step."There are typically four types of players at the SPL— veterans such as the Orlando Magic's Bo Outlaw, who live in the area; little-used NBA reserves such as Strong (2.7 points a game in 20 appearances last season) who are looking for extended playing time; rookies seeking a jump start on training camp, which begins in early October; and fringe players who are hoping to catch someone's eye.

Anyone's eye.

"The Summer Pro League is a great place to get exposure," said former Cal State Long Beach player Tommy Davis, who is playing for the team West Coast.

"It's an opportunity," said Marcus Johnson, a West Coast teammate who also played for CSULB, "to show scouts what you have."

Both players are realistic about their situations.

"I do what I can when I can," Davis said. "There's not a lot of minutes [playing for West Coast]. "But I'm not the type that sulks. I just do what I can when I do play."

Johnson added about his shaky situation: "There's some things on the table -- but I don't know. There's no paperwork."

Outlaw, who started 55 games for the Magic this past season while averaging 6 points and 6.5 rebounds a game, said the Summer Pro League provides aspiring participants to get used to NBA rules, which are significantly different than college.

"The level of competition is much higher in the NBA," Outlaw said.

Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant's father and general manager of Olympia Milanoa, an Italian team that is owned by his son and playing at The Pyramid, said pro scouts are watching for "a consistency in the player." he said.

"[They're looking for] a willingness to work. Talent but not bad attitudes. A perfect player with special qualities," Bryant said.

The league's scouts are not limited to the NBA.

"There's lots of scouts here from the NBA, IBA (International Basketball Association), CBA (Continental Basketball Association), IBL (International Basketball League) and the international leagues," said Marni Colbert, the director of operations for the Summer Pro League.

Thus, Davis and Johnson are not just waiting for the NBA's call.

"My plan for this year is to try and get a CBA deal or IBL deal," Davis said. Or, he said he would like to go overseas and play basketball. But, ultimately, he would like to make the NBA.

Johnson added: "As far as making the NBA, at one time it was a dream, but in reality there's only so many spots. As long as I'm making money in the CBA, IBL or overseas, I'm satisfied."

The remaining games on the Summer Pro League's schedule include today's beginning at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8.

The league playoffs begin on Friday and run through Sunday.