Baxter hopes Europe success can lead to NBA

Former USF guard Jimmy Baxter, fresh off a second successful pro season in Europe, has talked with two NBA teams about joining their summer-league rosters after next week's NBA Draft.

Baxter, who played professionally in France in 2005-06 and in Italy this past season, has talked with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Bobcats about playing summer-league ball, which would help his chances of earning a free-agent contract in the league.

"Cleveland is very interested in bringing him for their summer-league team," said his agent, Wayne Garfield, who said Baxter had earned rookie of the year and Sixth Man honors in his French league in 2005-06.

Baxter isn't the only former USF player hoping to use the NBA's summer league as a showcase. Two of last year's top scorers, Melvin Buckley and McHugh Mattis, aren't likely to be drafted, but still could get a look in the summer league. Former USF coach Robert McCullum said the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz have expressed interest in Mattis, whose defensive skills could help him as a role player off the bench in the NBA.

Comments

[Ari]

Another great player that Robert Mac ran out of town when he showed up.

Glad he is gone -- can't wait for the Heath era to begin.

[ryan]

i said it a long time ago, and I still believe that Mattis could be drafted in the 2nd round...but I'll admit that it seems to be a pretty deep draft this year or at least top heavy anyway.

[Joe]

Since you spoke to Mac to get that quote, what is an update with him? Is he staying in Tampa for the next yr? Will he land an assistant job somwhere?

[Jeremy]

Greg-
Thanks for the update on Jimmy Baxter. I had the pleasure of coaching Jimmy in the high jump during his exceptional career at USF. I lost touch with him after he graduated. Glad to hear his dream of playing pro ball is materializing.

[cristina]

I hope Baxter will get what he deserves for all the bad things he did in Europe...a player need to be a human being first...