Simply being drafted or latching onto an organization as a free agent isn’t all former Air Force star Dan Nwaelele has to worry about in his quest to play professional basketball.
He must also get the nod from the government.
A military rule requires academy athletes to serve two years of duty before playing professional sports.
“But the thing about that is, if you wait two years the pro team isn’t really going to look for you anymore,” Nwaelele said. “So we’re trying to get an exception to the rule, or come out with different options.”
One of those options could be to serve in the reserves while playing immediately in the pros, Nwaelele said. Another might be to serve the two-year term later. Former Air Force baseball player Karl Bolt, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the amateur draft June 8, faces the same obstacle.
Nwaelele said Bolt already has set the wheels in motion to try to get some sort of an exemption. The precedent set in Bolt’s case would affect Nwaelele.
“(Getting to play right away) brings light back onto the academy in a positive way,” Nwaelele said. “It brings good PR to the academy that on and off the court, we can do different things.”
Meanwhile, Nwaelele has to prove on the court he is worthy of an NBA team taking a chance on him. He has been through three workouts, and while Nuggets coach George Karl said he liked the way Nwaelele played Monday, Nwaelele didn’t.
“I didn’t feel like I played that good,” Nwaelele said. “I guess I’m just pretty hard on myself.”
However, he knows what he brings to the table.
“I know I can bring shooting to the game,” said Nwaelele, who ranks No. 2 on the Air Force career 3-point shooting list at 45.1 percent. “I know I have to work on my defense, but you can always work on defense.”
J.R. returning
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith is expected to be in Denver today to meet with team officials.
On Smith’s agenda is being examined by team physicians to determine how he needs to go about treating what has been reported to be a sprained left shoulder.
It is the first time Smith will be in town since his car accident June 9 in New Jersey, which resulted in the death of his friend, Andre Bell. Smith, who was driving, has received two traffic citations to this point, but more serious charges could be on the way after an investigation.
“I’m going to be anxious to have a meeting with him and sit down and read his body language and his emotion level,” Karl said. “I can’t predict what I’m going to do. … All we can do is support. All we can do is put our arm around him and when we have time with him, build his confidence back.”
Humphrey a good fit?
These stats will catch the eye of anyone looking for shooting: .439, .370, .459, .459.
Those are Lee Humphrey’s percentages from the 3-point line in each of his four years of college ball.
The former Florida guard was among a group of six who worked out Monday for the Nuggets. The Nuggets need shooting. Humphrey wouldn’t mind being the guy to give Denver the perimeter shooting it seeks.
He isn’t holding out much hope he will be drafted, pointing more toward signing with a team as a free agent and playing in the summer league at the beginning of July.
“I haven’t been hearing my name in the draft,” Humphrey said, adding, “You never know, have a good summer league, and then somebody will pick you up.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
