Tuesday, June 12, 2001

Ostler still in dark
about NBA future
after Chicago camp

The former Rainbow
is uncertain of his status
as he awaits the draft

---

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Troy Ostler spent the past week in the same gym as Isiah Thomas, Jerry West and Michael Jordan.

If he impressed them or some of the other coaches, general managers and owners at the Chicago NBA Pre-Draft Camp, he could have a future playing among the current generation of stars.

But with the draft in 15 days, nobody from the front offices is saying anything.

So Ostler, who completed his University of Hawaii career in March, has to wait and see like everybody else.

"I played as hard as I can. I can honestly look back and say I did the best I could. I think I did all right," the 6-foot-11, 220-pound center/forward said. "No one really talks to you about how you did. They kind of keep that information to themselves. We'll find out on the 27th."

Ostler said he made 7-of-10 shots in three games and "did good" defensively.

"I just tried to use my quickness," he said.

One reliable source who was at the camp, but did not want to be quoted, said he does not think Ostler played himself into the draft. He said the West Valley City, Utah, resident did nothing to distinguish himself among the 65 invitees -- the players the NBA feels are the best players coming out of college and high school this year.

But Pete Newell, who runs the Big Man Camp in Hawaii each year, said post players often don't get the opportunity to show what they can do in the NBA Pre-Draft Camps.

"The guards tend to hog the ball. Sometimes a center will play 10 minutes and not touch the ball," Newell said. "But I was really impressed by (Ostler) this year. I thought he had a lot to do with (UH's) success, especially at the end. From what I've seen of him, he has a chance."

Ostler averaged 15.9 points and team-highs of 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Rainbows last season, despite a sprained left ankle that kept him out of three games and slowed him considerably in several others.

In addition to a week of drills, scrimmages and the three games, Ostler said he withstood seven hours of meetings and the most thorough physical examination he's ever undergone.

"We had every test imaginable," Ostler said. "The meetings were about rookies making the transition. They had a lot of speakers to warn you about drugs, women ... all that stuff."