Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan called it "a crash course in NBA basketball." Director of Player Personnel Scott Layden simply says it is "a crucial time." The rookie/free agent camp begins Thursday at Westminster College and runs through Sunday. That will be followed by the Rocky Mountain Revue, a seven-team summer league that runs Monday through August 1.
Invited to the Revue are Utah, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento and Seattle.Players reported Wednesday for physicals and formal instructions begin Thursday. Once the summer league starts, players then put their instructions into action, in hopes of being invited back to the veteran's camp in October.
Here is a look at this year's participants:
ALAN BANNISTER, 7-5, 300, Arkansas State: Spent all last year on the injured list last season after playing two years at Oklahoma State and two at Arkansas State. Whether he becomes the next Mark Eaton will soon become apparent. Bannister has better shooting range than Eaton but doesn't possess Eaton's natural ability to block shots.
DAVID BENOIT, 6-8, 225, Alabama: Played in Spain last season, averaging 22 points and 10.3 rebounds and being named Rookie of the Year. Attended the 1990 Jazz rookie camp but left early and didn't play in the Revue.
KENNY BATTLE, 6-6, 210, Illinois: A proven NBA talent, Battle was the first-round pick by the Pistons in 1989 and played 59 games for Phoenix, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds. Began last year in Phoenix but was traded to Denver, where he averaged 6.1 points in 40 games. He has a knack for forcing things to happen. "We've always liked his intensity, going back to his college days," says Layden. "He's a terrific hustler. He does those things like getting offensive rebounds, deflections, steals and he's a tough defender. He brings a lot of things to the table."
JOHN COOPER, 6-6, 210, Wichita State: Lost much of his senior year in college when he broke an ankle in the ninth game of the season. He averaged 20.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in his first eight games for the Shockers. He was all-Missouri Valley Conference as a junior and earned all-academic honors three times.
REGGIE CROSS, 6-8, 240, Hawaii: A physical players who is hard to intimidate. Drafted by the 76ers in 1989 (44th overall), Cross didn't stick in the NBA and spent the last two seasons in Spain, where he averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds.
CORY CROWDER, 6-5, 215, Kentucky Wesleyan: Was Division II Player of the Year in 1990. Crowder finished his career as the school's all-time scoring and three-point leader, averaging 19.3 points and 6.8 rebounds over four years. Led his team to a Division II national title.
ROY FISHER, 6-7, 210, California: Averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, leading the Bears in steals and assists (117). Ranked eighth in the Pac-10 in assists and 10th in free throw percentage.
BOB HARSTAD, 6-6, 220, Creighton: Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior. Joins Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Xavier McDaniel as only NVC players to score 2,000 points and get 1,000 rebounds. Averaged 22.2 points as a junior.
KELLY LOVE, 6-9, 230, Grambling State: Began his college career at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Neb., before transferring to Grambling State. Had his career cut short his senior year after a leg injury. He is the son of former Chicago Bulls great Bob Love.
DON LYTTLE, 6-10, 235, Pacific: All-Big West player his junior and senior years, averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior. The 18th player in Pacific history to score over 1,000 points.
RON MOY, 6-1, 185, Hartford: All-league player two years, averaging 19.1 points as a senior. He is the school's all-time leader in three-point field goals made (157) and three-point percentage (.417).
CHRIS MUNK, 6-9, 240, USC: Made the Jazz opening day roster in 1990 and played in 11 games before being waived on December 15. Scored in 5 of the 11 games with a high of 4 on two occasions and 3 rebounds in two games. Finished the season in the CBA where he played for three different teams, ending with the Rapid City Thrillers. In 37 games he averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.
ERIC MURDOCK, 6-2, 190, Providence: The Jazz's No. 1 pick this year, Murdock comes in with a reputation as a relentless defensive player and a fine shooter. He is the NCAA's all-time leader in steals (376) and was second-team All-America. Led the Big East in scoring as a senior (26.5) and was 11th in scoring and third in steals in the country. Trails only Jimmy Walker on the Providence all-time scoring list and set a single-game Big East scoring mark wit 48 points against Pittsburgh. He had 11 games of 30 or more points. Predictably, the Jazz will spend much of their time on him. "We have a chance to look at a number of players, but Murdock will tie up a lot of minutes at the 1-position," says Layden.
WALTER PALMER, 7-1, 225, Dartmouth: After he missed last year's rookie/free agent camp and summer league, this a chance to make up lost ground, the Jazz say. He played only occasionally last year with the Jazz and this summer could well decide his future in the NBA. "Missing last year set him back," says Layden. However, Palmer has reportedly added 15 pounds through a lifting program. Possesses a fine perimeter shot.
ALAN POLLARD, 6-10, 234, Southern Cal: Transferred to USC from BYU. Over 115 collegiate games, Pollard averaged 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. Lacks speed but can shoot and isn't afraid to mix things up.
ANDY TOOLSON, 6-6, 210, BYU: Surprised everyone, probably even himself, by making the team last year. Toolson averaged 5.3 points in 15 games as a starter when injuries took down Blue Edwards and Jeff Malone. Makes few mistakes, works hard and is a three-point threat. After a year of experience, Toolson should be even better this time around.
WALTER WATTS, 6-7, 270, Utah: Overcame weight problems to become a solid college player. Averaged 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior, despite playing only 22 minutes a game. He has the athletic ability and size to play in the league.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 6-8, 265, Bradley: This guy has been around. Selected 51st overall by Golden State in 1986, Williams spent most of his career in the CBA and overseas. But he did play in the NBA in 1989-90 with Sacramento and Atlanta (21 games). Last year he averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds in France.