Nick Fazekas, Marcelus Kemp updates

Chris Murray has the latest on former Wolfpackers Nick Fazekas and Marcelus Kemp. We over-estimated Fazekas' NBA interest when he came out of college as it's now apparent he lacks the physical attributes necessary to be an every game-certain number of minutes contributor. However, playing abroad can provide quite the good living nowadays.

Fazekas to play in France, Kemp in Italy this season
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
8/19/2009

A pair of Nevada basketball players have found homes overseas as Nick Fazekas and Marcelus Kemp will be playing in Europe this upcoming season.

Fazekas has signed with JDA Dijon Bourgogne, one of the 16 teams in France’s top league, the Ligue Nationale de Basketball...

Go here for the remainder.

Great Nick Fazekas story

Here's a wonderful November 2008 article on the Fazekas family, including some details on how Nick Fazekas ended up in Reno.

You think Nevada's Nick Fazekas has come out of nowhere? His family story makes it seem more like a miracle
Tim Keown
ESPN

Say they dropped you into a seat at a college gym and told you to pick the best player on the court just from the pregame warmups. That means you'd have to judge solely on appearance, and in that case one of the last guys you'd choose would be the long and loose white kid who runs the floor as if his shoes were three sizes too small.

But what if you knew the kid's story? What if you could unwind the strands of DNA that decode the strength and fortitude hidden inside him? What if you found out the roots of this strength, two generations back, traveled through hell and back? What if the journey went beyond grace and form and took you somewhere deeper?

It might change everything if you knew how the kid got to the court. Because he'd surely look different once you heard about his grandfather, who wangled his way out of a POW camp in Moscow in 1947 after wrapping a gasoline-soaked rag around his calf to fake an infection. What if you learned that that was just a piece of the tale?

In fact, the only way to start the story of Nick Fazekas is to look back nearly 60 years, to a young Hungarian soldier named Albert. His story, frankly, is far more interesting than his grandson's. That's no knock against the kid. Albert's tale is operatic, while Nick's is merely admirable. Ultimately, of course, the two are connected...

Go here for the remainder.

Chris Murray on a couple of former Wolf Packers

Here's your updates on Nick Fazekas and Kirk Snyder, courtesy of Chris Murray. Plus, he has tidbits on Kevinn Pinkney (and others). Pinkney isn't an NBA talent but is still doing quite well for himself -- he played a very important role in Nevada's success during his time there.

Former Wolf Pack players in same situation
Chris Murray
Reno Gazette-Journal
August 16, 2008

Kirk Snyder and Nick Fazekas find themselves in relatively similar positions these days.

The former Nevada Wolf Pack basketball teammates both have NBA experience and both have been working out for NBA teams. But both have yet to sign a contract for next season....

Go here for the remainder.

Nick Fazekas is a free man

Nick Fazekas is again a free agent:

Clippers withdraw qualifying offer to Fazekas
Associated Press
August 2, 2008

The Los Angeles Clippers and forward Nick Fazekas have agreed to the withdrawal of the team’s qualifying offer from June 25, making Fazekas an unrestricted free agent.

Signed by the Clippers as a free agent on March 18, Fazekas appeared in 26 games last season, averaging 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 10.3 minutes.

The Clippers have revamped their roster by adding eight new players during the offseason.

A Nick Fazekas update

Here's an update on Nick Fazekas and the reception he is receiving while playing in the Las Vegas summer league:

Fazekas feels the love (and hate)
Andy Samuelson
Las Vegas Sun
July 17, 2008

The Los Angeles Clippers have had a larger Summer League following this past week, but one player in particular has heard just as many jeers as cheers.

“Sometimes it is kind of fun to play in front of people who don’t really like you. It kind of makes you play a little harder,” said Nevada product Nick Fazekas, who had his best Summer League showing Thursday when he scored 16 points in the Clippers last game of the session, an 80-76 overtime loss to New Orleans.

But coming back to such familiar (at times hostile) surroundings on the UNLV campus wasn’t all negative for the soon-to-be second-year player, who suited up 26 games for Dallas and the Clippers last year.

“I definitely have some Nevada fans here, cheering for and against me. It’s better than a neutral crowd,” said Fazekas, who averaged 9.2 points per game and 5.2 rebounds a contest in five Summer League games...

Go here for the remainder.

A Darrell Moody feature on Nick Fazekas

You are the three-time most valuable player of a well-respected college basketball conference. You possess great hands, especially so for a 'big' and you display superb shooting range. Oh yes, you're 6-11. There has to be a spot in The Big Show for you, right?

Darrell Moody's article demonstrates the vast difference between being a good college player and an NBA-er.

Fazekas fights to show he belongs in NBA
DARRELL MOODY
Appeal Sports Writer
April 4, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Auditioning is something Nick Fazekas has never had to do as a basketball player until now.

Fazekas, the three-time WAC Player of the Year and two-time All-American from Nevada, is in the audition of his life as he fights to show that he belongs in the NBA.

Signed by the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 27 after being released by Dallas, Fazekas (3.7 points, 3.8 rebounds) has been able to give Los Angeles some much-needed minutes up front in place of Elton Brand, who just returned to action after missing 74 games, and Chris Kaman, who has been suffering from a sprained ankle.

"The situation I'm in I feel like I'm auditioning every game," said Fazekas, who scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed four rebounds in a 110-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings Thursday night at Arco Arena. "I just go out there and play every night. I'm trying to score some points, get some rebounds and play some defense. If you're doing well, they will leave you out there to play."

If the last three games are any indication, Fazekas will continue to get some good minutes. In 63 minutes, Fazekas has scored 32 points on 13-for-19 shooting, made 6-for-7 from the line and pulled down 21 rebounds.

"I know what I can do out there and I know what I can't do," Fazekas said. "I didn't rebound well tonight, but I was able to get some shots. I've always shot a high percentage. That's what it's about. That, and taking advantage of the situations you are put in."

And, Fazekas has taken advantage of the Clippers' injury problems and used that to his advantage...

Go here for the remainder.

An update on Nick Fazekas

Nick Fazekas hasn't quite had his professional dreams work out as yet but he's polishing his act in the hopes of landing both a roster spot and playing time in the NBA.

It's interesting because Fazekas could land a substantial contract if he chose to head to Europe. His game would be a nice fit overseas so if the NBA doesn't say 'yes' in a couple of season look for Fazekas to get a passport.

Fazekas has positive outlook while in NBA Development League
Paul Willis , Special to the Rocky Mountain News
January 10, 2008

Nick Fazekas' first trip to his home state as a pro basketball player has been moved up by more than two months.

Depending on the perspective, that could be a good thing or a bad thing.

Fazekas, who grew up in Arvada and played at Ralston Valley High School before four stellar seasons at the University of Nevada, was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft.

The Mavericks aren't scheduled to come to Denver until March 27, so local Fazekas fans presumably were going to have to wait until the NBA season was nearly five months old before witnessing the 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward in a pro uniform.

Instead, he'll be here today, playing for the Tulsa 66ers when the NBA Development League team plays the Colorado 14ers at 7 p.m. at the Broomfield Event Center.

"It's not too big of a deal," Fazekas said. "I look forward to seeing my family and my family seeing me play in a pro game. That'll be fun for me..."

Go here for the remainder.

Coby Karl to developmental league

The Los Angeles Lakers have sent Coby Karl to its local NBA Developmental League squad:

Coby Karl sent down on eve of game vs. dad
Chris Tomasson,
Rocky Mountain News
November 28, 2007


LOS ANGELES -- Coby Karl will be playing today at the Staples Center.

It just won’t be against his father’s team.

Coby is scheduled to play in an afternoon game for the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles Defenders against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. But at least he will sit on the bench for tonight’s main event between the Lakers and the Nuggets, coached by George Karl...

...Kupchak said what’s best now is for Coby to get playing time. He wasn’t getting that with the Lakers, having logged just four minutes in two games...

...The Lakers must make a call on Coby by Jan. 10. If he’s still on the roster then, his contract is guaranteed for the season.

“It’s tough to speculate on what’s going to happen two months down the road,’’ Kupchak said.

The Lakers, though, will have a much better idea once they see Coby log big minutes in the NBADL.

Go here for the full article.

AND


Pack notes
Lauren Gustus
Reno Gazette-Journal
11/29/2007

SESSIONS' FAST START

Former Pack point guard Ramon Sessions is the second-leading scorer in the NBA Development League and was named the league's performer of the week Monday.

He is averaging 30.5 points after helping the Tulsa 66ers to a 2-0 record with 27 points at Fort Wayne, Ind., and 34 points at Sioux Falls, S.D. The 66ers open at home against Colorado on Friday. Sessions, who was drafted in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 56th player overall, was assigned to the D-League by the Bucks. The Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks share Tulsa as an affiliate.

As for Nick Fazekas, Sessions former and present teammate:

Former Nevada star Nick Fazekas, who was assigned to the 66ers by the Mavericks, is averaging 10.5 points and 10 rebounds after two games. Fazekas also was drafted in the second round, the 34th player selected overall and the Mavericks' first pick.

Fazekas and Sessions are teammates again

Dallas has farmed out Nick Fazekas to Tulsa of the Developmental League, where he will be re-joining his former Wolf Pack teammate Ramon Sessions.

Sessions was sent to Tulsa earlier by Milwaukee.

Again, this demonstrates the large leap it really is in going from high level college basketball to The Show. Fazekas was the Western Athletic Conference for three straight seasons yet...

Actually, unlike Sessions, Fazekas' arrival in Tulsa town is not due to the need for further skill development. What Fazekas needs to improve on is how to lessen the disadvantage of his average athletic ability when matched up nightly against superior athleticism.

The value of exhibition games

From a coaching standpoint, the value of exhibition games is typically that of seeing your players compete against others under actual game conditions.

However, the final stats compiled from such contests usually don't contain a great deal of value, having come against physically inferior and less-skilled opponents.

Some of things coaches are really looking for are:

*** the implementation of what is taught in practices being put into effect

*** the implementation of individual drills such as proper footwork, positioning and the like being put into effect

*** determining who plays to his limits each and every moment and who's competitiveness level depends on the quality of the opponent

*** who both understands and is willing to play an assigned role and stay within those parameters

There certainly are many more but these are some of the more common ones.

Continually going up against teammates can definitely have a stale effect and other 'tests' such as exhibitions can allow demonstration of who is advancing, whose is in neutral and who is going backwards in real time.

Having written all this, two things jumped out at us from the first series of games involving WAC teams this past weekend or so.

First, Nevada's Armon Johnson seems to have a lock on the starting point position for the Wolf Pack, Sure, such is a brash and very early declaration but such a move would allow star Marcelus Kemp to remain either at the two spot or the wing -- his more natural positions. Forgetting his 22 point total against Seattle Pacific, Johnson played a team-leading 36 minutes with an eight assist to two turnover ratio in his first collegiate start. Those are numbers Mark Fox will enjoy but, of course, the key will be can Johnson keep such stats up as the level of opponents gets better. Keep an eye on this.

#2 involves center 7-0 JaVale McGee. Again, forget his point total as he faced nobody even remotely close to what he will encounter in the WAC but do notice that McGee went two-for-two from three-point range.

Now it certainly could be an aberration -- although he did go 2-3 on his three point attempts last season -- because he shot a miserable .471 from the foul line in 2006-2007, 16-34. But if McGee manages to keep this up, pairing deep shooting range with his close-to-the-basket proficiency would make him an offensive monster.

To utilize a silly -- but heck why not? -- comparison, McGee could be the ebony of Nick Fazekas' ivory contributions to the success of the Nevada the past four seasons.

I can't believe I just typed that. I think we better close it out about right now before this web site sinks even lower and the collective groans from its readers reaches an even louder crescendo.

Four WAC players make NBA rosters

Four former stars in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) have landed on the rosters of various NBA teams. None look to play that much this season and will probably 'enjoy' some court time in the Developmental League but 15-man NBA rosters allow for this.

Nevada's Nick Fazekas made it with Dallas but could see himself in lights in Tulsa while trying to develop his game and resist rustiness. Making it with such a top team is quite the achievement plus his status also indicates how big a jump it is from Division One college basketball to the NBA. A second-rounder who was the 34th pick in the draft, Fazekas has a two-year contract with the first season guaranteed at the NBA minimum $427,163. Dallas holds the option for the the 2008-09 season, at a salary of $711,517. F azekas played in each of the Mavs' preseason gamesm gaining with one start and averaging 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17-plus minutes a game.

Point guard Ramon Sessions, a former teammate of Fazekas, is currently on the inactive list with Milwaukee and, irony of ironies, he may also be headed to Tulsa to keep his sharpness. 'Sessions passes to Fazekas' may not just be an old Wolf Pack play-by-play phrase yet.

Dominic McGuire is getting a few minutes a game with Washington. He jumped out of Fresno State after playing one season there and is already being lauded as the best defender on the Wizards bench.

The other WAC player who landed on an NBA roster is Boise State's Coby Karl, who is a Los Angeles Laker. Karl was a walk-on in Boise and a NBA free agent so there is a pattern here. Here's an article on his pro debut. He is also making the NBA minimum of $427,163.

Quinton Hosley didn't make the Big Show and is now playing in Turkey. The 6-6 former Fresno Stater plays for Karsiyaka and recently scored 20 points along with 14 rebounds in leading his team to its fourth win.

This is quite an achievement for the underrated WAC. Let's see how many make the jump after the soon-to-be season.

A preview of Nevada men's basketball 2007-2008

Here we go with our latest update on Nick Fazekas-less Nevada 2007-2008.

Nevada Coach Mark Fox is now going to better understand how the rest of the teams in the WAC have felt for some time. Fox is losing Nick Fazekas -- which would be devastating for many teams by itself -- but also standout point guard Ramon Sessions, plus two other starters in top defender Kyle Shiloh and outside shooting small forward Denis Ikovlev.

This is major. No, actually make it major minus, four major minuses.

Luckily for Fox, senior Marcelus Kemp pulled out of the NBA draft and will be the the Wolf Pack go-to guy in 2007-2008.

Here's who else Fox has returning:

Lyndale Burleson point guard 6-3 190 junior. Burleson is the new point with Sessions' departure. Sometimes, players rise to the occasion -- other times, greater expectations and responsibility prove to be a heavy burden. Regardless, with Burleson now projected to both start and play 30 minutes or so a game, his previously expected 2007-2008 role will need filling by someone else. However, there's no player on the current roster who immediately comes to mind to do so. This will be interesting to watch as the season plays out -- Burleson is not as good or productive a player as Sessions and it just may be the same for the player or players who step up to fill Burleson's old role. (Note: Burleson is now academically ineligible for the first semester)

Brandon Fields shooting guard 6-4 185 sophomore. Fields was primarily a scorer in the prep ranks and will have a golden opportunity before him in the upcoming season to earn much greater court time. He is also seeing some time at the point so far in the pre-season.

Marcelus Kemp wing 6-5 210 senior. On the plus side, Kemp, who averaged 18.5 ppg. last season will easily go above 20, maybe 25, in 2007-2008. Also look for Kemp to have 200 or more shot attempts than any of his teammates. But he'll have to work much harder for his points because Fazekas won't be present to draw the attention of defenses, and passer deluxe Sessions will also be absent. Kemp's assist to turnover ratio, not exactly an enviable one at 82 assists to 98 turnovers, will also probably decline due to having to carry a greater offensive load for his team. It's going to be an interesting time because scouts will want to see a more well-rounded game from Kemp -- one of the primary reasons he withdrew from the NBA draft -- but the heavy offensive load he will need to bear may just prevent him from developing or demonstrating other aspects of his skills set. Regardless, there's no doubt he's a first-team WAC selection and a player-of-the-year candidate.

Tyrone Hanson wing 6-6 195 sophomore. The most impressive stat he posted in his initial season was shooting 13-27 from three-point range. However, he shot better from three-point land than overall and was a virtual stranger at the foul line, going just 0-2 on the season. He may very well be who Fox turns to for upgrading the firepower of his rotation. Hanson should be Kemp's eventual replacement.

Richie Phillips power forward 6-7 220 sophomore. He redshirted as a true freshman and saw but 44 minutes of court time this past season. Deemed 'explosive and powerful' coming out of high school, he has yet to match the expectations. He recently injured his leg and is out for six or so weeks.

Matt LaGrone power forward 6-8 215 sophomore. Known more as a rebounder coming out of high school, he's a role player best suited for complementarily working in the shadows of others.

Demarshay Johnson power forward 6-9 210 senior. Johnson redshirted last season due to academics. A native of the East Bay and an excellent leaper, he's a top shotblocker and decent rebounder but his offensive skills remain raw.

JaVale McGee center 6-11 225 sophomore. McGee enjoyed the best situation of all rookie initiations, subbing for Wolf Pack great Nick Fazekas. Like Johnson, McGee is extremely unpolished offensively, scoring on dunks and putbacks. He shot 60% as a frosh but his free throw making, 16-34, indicates his weakness at the line and anywhere out of the paint. He's the best shotblocker on the team and possesses very good potential.

David Ellis center 7-1 222 senior. He's never been the power in college that he was in the prep ranks, mainly due to lack of strength and bulk. Ellis can score in the paint and is decent from the foul line but lacks the physical prerequisites to earn a starting spot.

Here's Fox's recruiting class:

Malik Cooke forward 6-5 190 freshman (North Carolina HS). Cooke is a wing/small forward. Here's Fox on him: "He is a long, athletic player who can finish. He also has a real knack to get to the glass. I really wanted a true small forward, and he is a good one."

Armon Johnson shooting guard 6-3 190 freshman (Nevada HS) Johnson is a big time scorer but as an incoming freshman he will need time to adjust to the collegiate level of basketball. He is also seeing time at the point early.

Ray Kraemer guard 6-4 200 sophomore (Texas JC) He had verballed to Weber State but ended up working out a better offer and landed in the WAC -- Donald Trump would be proud. Kraemer was named the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors as a freshman in 2005-06 after averaging 18 ppg. and grabbing 8.3 rpg. He also shot a nifty 42% on his three-point attempts. He did not play in 2006-07 due to a shoulder injury and will have three years of eligibility remaining at Nevada.

Here's our take for a Wolf Pack starting five in 2007-2008:

center - JaVale McGee
power forward - Demarshay Johnson
wing - Marcelus Kemp
shooting guard - Ray Kraemer
point - Lyndale Burleson

Nevada is coming back to the pack, pun intended, in 2007-2008. It's highly unlikely Mark Fox's squad will again shoot 48% from the floor as a team, out-rebound opponents by seven a game and have 116 more assists than the opposition.But as we have posted earlier, he has major reinforcements coming in next season with two top 100 prepsters and a darkhorse point from the Texas high school ranks.