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signoftimes · 05-28-2003, 03:49 PM

We've already given Calvary a shot at the beginning of this year.

Casey Calvary

On the road again

Casey Calvary was always strong-minded, mentally tough enough to have helped the Gonzaga basketball program bull its way into the national consciousness with three straight Sweet 16 appearances.

He has also got a mind of his own. So when he got only lukewarm response from his efforts to play in the NBA, Calvary took his act overseas.

In his second season out of Gonzaga, the 6-8 Calvary is playing for a team in Chalon, France. He spent his first pro season in Japan with the Isuzu Giga Cats, but was advised by his new agent, Mark Bartelstein of Chicago — who also handles Zags All-American Dan Dickau — that it's harder to be noticed in Japan by the NBA.

If that doesn't happen, he'll survive, says his college coach, Mark Few.

"He's an open-minded enough kid and it's not necessarily his dream to play in the NBA," Few says.

Calvary, the graduate of Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma, has had his share of frustrations trying to crack the NBA. Few, naturally, sides with the forward whose tip-in against Florida in 1999 — the coach has called it the biggest play in Gonzaga history — allowed the Zags to reach the final eight.

"No question he's an NBA player," Few said. "No question. "I think initially when he came out, because he shot the ball so well from the perimeter, they wanted to categorize him as a No. 3 man (small forward). He's a power forward. He's athletic enough, strong enough and more than big enough. Evidently, they didn't think he was tall enough.

"So it's a matter of two issues — some poor evaluations, and in true Casey form, he lost patience. And I don't necessarily blame him."

Calvary had an early shot over the summer with the NBA's latest rage, the Dallas Mavericks. That didn't pan out, and when he couldn't get a guaranteed roster spot in the league, he opted for France.

His old college team is traveling the country — Maui, Atlanta, the Meadowlands — in an effort to buff its resume come NCAA tournament time. Meanwhile, basketball is taking Calvary even further.

— Bud Withers
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...arender29.html

05-28-2003, 03:49 PM	#6
signoftimes Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 568	We've already given Calvary a shot at the beginning of this year. Casey Calvary On the road again Casey Calvary was always strong-minded, mentally tough enough to have helped the Gonzaga basketball program bull its way into the national consciousness with three straight Sweet 16 appearances. He has also got a mind of his own. So when he got only lukewarm response from his efforts to play in the NBA, Calvary took his act overseas. In his second season out of Gonzaga, the 6-8 Calvary is playing for a team in Chalon, France. He spent his first pro season in Japan with the Isuzu Giga Cats, but was advised by his new agent, Mark Bartelstein of Chicago — who also handles Zags All-American Dan Dickau — that it's harder to be noticed in Japan by the NBA. If that doesn't happen, he'll survive, says his college coach, Mark Few. "He's an open-minded enough kid and it's not necessarily his dream to play in the NBA," Few says. Calvary, the graduate of Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma, has had his share of frustrations trying to crack the NBA. Few, naturally, sides with the forward whose tip-in against Florida in 1999 — the coach has called it the biggest play in Gonzaga history — allowed the Zags to reach the final eight. "No question he's an NBA player," Few said. "No question. "I think initially when he came out, because he shot the ball so well from the perimeter, they wanted to categorize him as a No. 3 man (small forward). He's a power forward. He's athletic enough, strong enough and more than big enough. Evidently, they didn't think he was tall enough. "So it's a matter of two issues — some poor evaluations, and in true Casey form, he lost patience. And I don't necessarily blame him." Calvary had an early shot over the summer with the NBA's latest rage, the Dallas Mavericks. That didn't pan out, and when he couldn't get a guaranteed roster spot in the league, he opted for France. His old college team is traveling the country — Maui, Atlanta, the Meadowlands — in an effort to buff its resume come NCAA tournament time. Meanwhile, basketball is taking Calvary even further. — Bud Withers http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...arender29.html __________________ Dance like you hurt real bad. Work like no one's watching. Love like you need the money.