UNLV’S ANTHONY SIGNS WITH HEAT
An eventful NBA Draft came to a predictable end for former UNLV standouts Joel Anthony, Kevin Kruger and Wendell White on Thursday night. All three seniors were long shots to be selected, and none got the call.
That does not mean their NBA aspirations are shot down entirely. The next step is to secure free-agent deals and play for summer league teams, and those negotiations went late into the night.
Anthony, a 6-foot-9-inch center, was the first to agree to a free-agent contract, coming to terms with the Miami Heat.
"I’m really happy that I have this opportunity right now," said Anthony, who will play for the Heat’s summer league team in Orlando, Fla. "I have a chance to showcase my skills, and I feel very lucky."
Agent Mike Higgins represents Anthony and Kruger.
"I talked to my agent, and he’s on the phone with a couple teams," said Kruger, who expects to make an announcement today. "I thought I had some good workouts for teams (selecting) in the late second round, but it didn’t happen."
Kruger, a point guard, had predraft workouts for six teams. Anthony was invited to workouts with eight teams.
White, a 6-6 forward who was the Rebels’ leading scorer and rebounder last season, worked out for one team but remained optimistic.
"I was waiting like everyone else. I was hoping," White said. "But it didn’t happen, so I’ll have to go to Plan B."
By going undrafted, Anthony, Kruger and White face more challenging paths to an NBA career.
"You kind of hold out hope that it will happen, but it’s not surprising that it didn’t happen," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said. "It’s a long shot for anyone who’s not drafted, but the key is to get an opportunity."
Two UNR players were picked in the second round. Wolf Pack senior forward Nick Fazekas was the 34th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks, and junior point guard Ramon Sessions went 56th to the Milwaukee Bucks.
MATT YOUMANS/REVIEW-JOURNAL