Jack Piatt
Daily Egyptian
The Indiana Pacers have invited former Saluki star Rolan Roberts to their upcoming veterans camp.
Roberts played summer league basketball for the Pacers earlier this summer and proved he has talent worthy of a second look. Roberts also played summer league ball for the Washington Wizards, but he didn't think he got enough playing time.
If Roberts decides to go to the veterans camp, he will be one of 18 players who will compete for a position on the team. The Pacers will keep 12 to 15 of the players from the camp and sign them to non-guaranteed contracts.
The players will compete in exhibition games with the rest of the Pacer stars, hoping to impress the team enough to make the final cut before the regular season starts.
According to Robert's agent, Bill Neff, the Pacers would give Roberts a prorated contract for $350,000 a year if he makes the final cut. He would then get paid for each game played and have the opportunity to play the whole season.
If he doesn't make it to regular season, the Pacers don't pay him anything.
"It is very hard for a free agent to get signed to the NBA at this point, but not impossible," Neff said.
International teams in Italy and Turkey are also interested in Roberts. Neff said Roberts can make good money overseas and make a name for himself.
"My dream is to play in the NBA," Roberts said earlier in the summer. "But if I don't play in the NBA, playing overseas is definitely an option."
Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at jpiatt@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
