Former AU star Killingsworth will work out with Magic
By Louise Emeagi
Montgomery Advertiser
After going undrafted last week, former Auburn star Marco Killingsworth will attend an Orlando Magic camp this week.
After being passed over in last week's NBA draft, former Auburn University and Sidney Lanier High product Marco Killingsworth has accepted an invitation to join the Orlando Magic this week in rookie/free agent mini-camp.
Killingsworth, who completed his collegiate basketball career at Indiana, was surprised that he was not chosen among the 60 players taken over two rounds of the draft.
He'll now have a chance to prove himself along with 17 other players invited to compete for a spot on Orlando's summer league team, which also includes the team's first-round lottery pick, J.J. Redick.
"A lot of people were trying to get Killingsworth for a steal," said Daymeon Fishback, offering an explanation of how his client went undrafted.
Joining the Magic's summer league entry in games taking place from next Monday through Friday in Orlando are the Charlotte Bobcats, led by lottery pick Adam Morrison, and the New Jersey Nets, whose roster includes that team's first-round pick Marcus Williams, along with former Alabama forward Kennedy Winston.
In some mock drafts, Killingsworth, a 6-foot-7, 268-pound power forward, was touted as a possible late second round pick and even listed Orlando as a likely NBA destination. Yet, in other pre-draft mock scenarios, Killingsworth was not listed at all and was described as overweight and undersized.
Atter the draft, the Knicks were the first team to contact Fishback to offer Killingsworth an invite to their camp where another former Hoosier, Isiah Thomas, was recently named head coach. But rather than reporting to the Knicks by 2 p.m. Saturday as originally scheduled, Killingsworth remained in Auburn during the July 4th holiday weekend to participate in the third annual Marcus Washington Celebrity Basketball Jam at the Auburn High Fieldhouse.
Killingsworth was among an impressive list of celebrities who attended the event including wide receiver Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys) and former Auburn High and Troy University star defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants) and Demarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys).
Killingsworth tied with Owens for game-high scoring honors Saturday with 30 points. On Sunday, the Magic contacted Fishback and extended their invitation.
"There are plenty of things Killingsworth can offer Orlando," said Fishback. "His versatility poses problems defensively for the opposition. He can man-handle players slightly smaller than him and out-quick players bigger than him." Damn. Just came across this on Hoopshype. I guess Jackie Butler only has to worry about Adeleke now. Really wanted to see this kid play in the SL for us. Oh well.
[Edited by - finestrg on 07-06-2006 10:53 AM]
7/6/2006 12:57 PM