SJ Sports: Summer Hoops--Pt. 1

It is difficult to make an NBA roster and that was demonstrated again the past two weeks at the various Summer Leagues consisting mainly of rookies and free agents. A number of South Jersey players competed last week in Boston, many with varying goals. For instance Camden's Dajuan Wagner, who will be entering his second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, participated in the league as a way to rehabilitate his injured right knee.

Wagner had surgery on March 21 and missed the final 20 games of the season. He is still less than 100 percent and was limited to about 20 minutes per game.

"By training camp, I should be fine," he said. Wagner returned after the week in Boston to Camden, where he will continue his rehabilitation.

Wagner's former Camden teammate Nate Johnson had a strong summer league, for the 6-0 San Antonio Spurs.

Other than the two Camden stars, there were four players from South Jersey in Boston and most were just looking for exposure.

Two South Jersey products, Dan Miller of Rancocas Valley and Geoff Owens of Bishop Eustace, were teammates of Wagner on the Cavaliers summer roster. Owens saw more playing time than Miller, who rarely left the bench on a deep summer league team that was the big drawing card with LeBron James.

Miller, who helped lead Notre Dame to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, said it's possible that he could play professionally this season in Italy. The 6-foot-8 Miller realizes that the NBA won't be in his plans this year.

Owens made the most of his limited playing time. There wasn't a player in the league who hustled more than the 6-11 former University of Penn center.

Last season Owens played for the Roanoke Dazzle of the National Basketball Developmental League. The NBDL is a minor league for the NBA, where salaries and amenities are a far cry from the NBA. Still, it's a league where players receive valuable exposure. Each NBA team scouts the NBDL and this season 63 of the NBDL player were on rosters for NBA summer league teams.

Like Miller, Owens realized that he isn't going to make an NBA roster this season, but if he continues to show his unending hustle, he might make an impression for the future.

Ron Rollerson, a Pennsauken resident who first went to Pennsauken High and then Faith Christian in Glassboro before playing at Temple, was with the 76ers summer league team in Boston.

The 6-11 Rollerson saw limited playing time until scoring 16 points and grabbing six rebounds in 23 minutes in the final game, a 75-70 victory over the New York Knicks. Last season Rollerson was invited to the Sixers' regular camp and even was impressive in a preseason game against Toronto but he didn't stick. Rollerson also played three preseason games with Seattle.

Now he is trying to get another invitation to an October training camp. Former Shawnee graduate Dan Earl was with the New Jersey Nets summer team in Boston. Earl missed the first three games and then played sparingly.

Miller, Earl, Owens, Rollerson and Johnson were all great players in high school who also enjoyed successful college careers. It just goes to show how difficult it is to make the NBA, where the 12th player on any roster, is an extremely talented individual.

Look for Part Two of this article on our homepage on Friday!

For more Local Sports features, visit our Sports page.

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Author: Marc Narducci