Hopkins takes another shot at NBA (DMN HS Blog)

[peruna11]

Former high-flying Lincoln standout Bryan Hopkins is taking another shot at the NBA. After spending last year playing in Ukraine, he is among approximately 20 players trying out for the Mavericks' summer league team this week.

If you recall, Hopkins started at guard for the 2002 Class 4A state champions. That year, he and star forward Chris Bosh capped off a perfect 40-0 season with a "mythical" national championship.

Does anyone know who else is trying out for the summer league team other than Bhop?

[peruna11]

Former SMU and Lincoln guard Bryan Hopkins' road to another NBA tryout has been a long one – 5,683 miles, in fact.

Hopkins, who spent last season playing in Lvov, Ukraine, was back in Dallas on Tuesday to try out for the Mavericks' Vegas Summer League team. He credits his time overseas for acclimating him to the pro game, despite the differences in basketball at home and abroad.

"In America, at the professional level, a lot of guys and teams just rely on athleticism and individual play and let some of the big stars take over," Hopkins said. "Overseas, it's structured more like the college game and on team play."

Hopkins said his time in the Ukrainian Superleague gave him a chance to work on certain parts of his game, including the pick-and-roll. His development caught the eye of Donnie Nelson, Mavericks' president of basketball operations.

"B-Hop's experience overseas and the fact that he had a chance to run his own team and play against that type of fierce international competition has made him a lot more confident this year than he was last," Nelson said.

Players have three days of practice to make the summer league team. If they play well enough, they will be invited to veterans' camp for a shot at the NBA squad.

UT's Tucker tries out: Former Texas standout P.J. Tucker, who was drafted by Toronto in 2006, also is attempting to make the Mavericks' summer league team after being cut by the Raptors.

Nelson said Tucker's shooting range is his biggest concern but recalls a former prospect whose range he once questioned.

"When I was in Golden State, we brought Bruce Bowen in, and he was our last cut. [His range] was what prevented him from being on the team," Nelson said. "Sure enough, he started developing that corner 3, and the rest is history."

Briefly: Among those trying out was former North Carolina State and Denver Nuggets shooting guard Julius Hodge. Other notables included Missouri City, Texas, native Ivan McFarlin, a starter on Oklahoma State's 2004 Final Four team. ... Charlotte Bobcats coach Sam Vincent as hired Paul Mokeski as an assistant coach. Mokeski was a scout with the Mavericks and an assistant coach with Fort Worth of the NBA's developmental league.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.31379ad.html

[Stranger]

PJ Tucker is definitely worth a look. He scored about 8 points per game for the Raptors when he got at least ten minutes of game time.

PJ Tucker
Birthdate: 5/5/85
NBA Position: SG/SF
College: Texas
Class: Junior
Ht: 6-5
Wt: 225
Hometown: Enloe
High School: Raleigh, NC
Teamsite Profile
2005
Stats


NBA Comparison: Mario Elie

Strengths: Has a great combination of strength and athleticism ... Intense competitor ... Scores a lot of baskets by overpowering defenders with his tremendous body strength ... Plays with a lot of toughness. Extremely aggresive, intimidates opponents with his nasty demeanor ... Explosive leaping ability and has the strength to go inside and finish ... Strong one on one skills and looks to drive to the basket ... His ability to create shots for himself off the dribble has improved ... Strong defender ... Tremendous rebounder for a 6-5 player ... Great speed in the open court ... Free throw shooting has shown steady improvement ...

Weaknesses: Scores the majority of his points close to the basket ... Lacks a 3 point shot and any real range on his shot ... His passing ability has shown some improvement but he lacks great vision to find teammates off the dribble ... Can be selfish at times looking only for shots for himself ... Lacks great skills for a guard and great size for a small forward ...

-Aran Smith 4/12/06

[bcrav4]

Julius Hodge sounds like the passing/slashing small forward that Donnie talked about on the radio. Only problem is he can't shoot.

And I've liked Tucker since the draft. He could definitely play a Bonzi type role off the bench. Only problem is he can't shoot much better.

[Stranger]

Julius Hodge
Birthdate: 11/18/83
NBA Position: SG/SF
College: North Carolina St.
Class: Senior
Ht: 6-6
Wt: 180
Hometown: Harlem, NY
High School: St. Raymond's
Team Site Profile 2004 Stats


Strengths: Very effective offensive player who has been a force in the ACC since stepping on the court as a freshman … Very quick reflexes and fast running the court … Player with very good ball handling, vision and passing ability, especially for his size … Takes the ball to the basket often, despite lack of strength … Extremely competitive player who has become one of NC State’s best all time players … Comes from NYC and has all the AND 1 moves, but has toned his game down well … A good free throw shooter, but is struggling in his senior season …

Weaknesses: Very weak physically, and there is real cause for concern about this considering his age … One of those players who has very bad body strength ... He has a hard time putting on and retaining body weight during a season … Lacks great range on his shot … His outside shot lacks consistency … Not a great athlete, doesn’t get off the floor well … May lack a position on the next level due to his strength and shooting concerns …

Notes: Was ACC player of the year in his Junior season …. Promised his mother he would get his degree before going to the NBA and followed through with it …

-Aran Smith 2/10/05

He's also averaged 1.2 points in 32 career NBA games.