Savovic invited to work out for seven more NBA teams
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
If anything, Predrag Savovic is racking up frequent flier miles in pursuit of his basketball dream.
After a successful stint in last week's NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago, Savovic will resume individual private auditions for NBA teams this week.
"It seems like I fly to a different city every couple of days," said the former University of Hawai'i star. "It gets tiring, but it's something you have to do if you want to make it. You have to get the teams to notice you."
Savovic, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard originally from Yugoslavia, is projected to go anywhere from late in the first round to late in the second round in the June 26 NBA Draft.
It helped that Savovic was one of the leading scorers at the four-day Pre-Draft Camp. In three scrimmages, he scored 44 points in approximately 56 minutes.
Since the conclusion of the camp last Friday, seven teams have requested to see Savovic in an individual workout, according to his agent, Marc Cornstein.
"A lot of teams are calling, saying (Savovic) was one of the top players at the camp, if not the top player," said Cornstein, who is based in New York. "So he definitely helped himself."
Cornstein said Savovic will travel to all seven cities within the next two weeks. The teams are the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets.
Cornstein said more teams could be added to the itinerary in the next few days.
"I'm used to it already," Savovic said. "It's basically the same thing for every team. I'm in good shape physically right now, so I feel confident no matter where I go."
Before the Pre-Draft Camp, Savovic had conducted workouts for nine teams: Houston, Detroit, Utah, Los Angeles Lakers, New York, Memphis, Golden State, Indianapolis and Seattle.
Pay day: Anthony Carter officially donated $100,000 to the University of Hawai'i yesterday.
Carter, UH's electrifying point guard from 1996-98, is now playing for the NBA's Miami Heat. He announced the donation in February, shortly after signing a three-year contract with the Heat worth around $12 million.
His donation will create a scholarship fund for the UH men's basketball program.
3-on-3 tournament: Former UH forward Nerijus Puida is taking his first shot at the business of marketing.
Not surprisingly, it has to do with basketball.
Puida, a captain of UH's 2000-01 team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, is serving as tournament director and organizer of the 808 Challenge.
The event is a 3-on-3 amateur basketball tournament scheduled for Aug. 10 and 11 on the UH-Manoa campus.
"My major is international business and marketing, and I always wanted to do something with sports," said Puida, who is still working toward his degree at UH. "This is a chance for me to see what it's all about."
Puida is running the tournament along with Team Mauka-Makai.
All games will be played indoors at either Klum Gym or practice Gym 1 or Gym 2. Each team is guaranteed to play at least three games.
There will be separate divisions for males and females in the following age divisions: 10-13, 14-15, 16-18, 19-29, 30-39, and 40-older. There will also be an open "elite" division for experienced players.
Entry fee is $100 per team. For more information, call 225-4283 or visit www.808challenge.net.
Last chance to camp: Walk-up entries will be accepted this morning for the final UH Rainbow Men's Basketball Summer Camp.
The camp will begin today and continue tomorrow and Thursday at the UH-Manoa athletic complex. Activities take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
Anthony Carter of the Miami Heat is scheduled to appear. Instruction will be provided by UH head coach Riley Wallace and his staff, along with current and former players.
The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 through 17. Entry fee is $150 per child.
Parents can register their children at the Stan Sheriff Center today starting around 8:30 a.m.
