If Bryon Ruffner is cut from the Utah Jazz roster - or more accurately, when he is cut - sometime between now and the NBA regular season opener on Halloween, he'll be able to handle it.
He's been through much worse - and survived - during the past 12 months.The world saw Ruffner as an the all-American kid with a sweet jump shot a year ago at this time. He was an Eagle Scout. He had spent two years of his young life doing missionary work for his church in Chile. And he was a basketball star in his hometown preparing for his senior season at BYU.
Although it wasn't public knowledge, though, he'd already made several poor choices that he would pay for dearly.
Ruffner had taken part in a scheme to embezzle money from a Provo computer firm. He had already confessed his crime to authorities - at a time when the cops didn't know he was involved - and had paid back the share of the money he had pocketed from the scheme.
But it was too late.
On Oct. 25, 1996, Ruffner's life, as he knew it, was turned upside down. He was charged with theft, a second degree felony, to which he pleaded guilty. He withdrew from BYU and his college basketball days were finished. His story became big news in Utah and beyond. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, fined, placed on three-years probation and given 200 hours of community service last January.
But that was then.
"Everyone makes mistakes," he said Saturday at Jazz training camp at the Boise State Pavilion. "I obviously made mistakes. I've tried to take care of them and now it's time to move on."
While most people he comes in contact with have shown support for him, "some people are still going to look at me funny. I just don't let it bother me."
Things are looking up for the 25-year-old now. His wife, Tracie, delivered their first child, a baby girl they named Alexandra, four weeks ago. His goal of becoming a professional basketball player - whether it be in the NBA or, more likely, in another league - is close to becoming a reality. And, perhaps best of all, time is beginning to heal the wounds that came as a result of his lapse in judgment.
After missing out on his senior season of college, Ruffner played on an Australian team touring the United States for several weeks. He also played for Marathon Oil briefly.
For the most part, however, he was a shooter without a team to shoot for. "I just ran and shot the ball and tried to stay in shape the best I could," he said.
Ruffner was invited to play for the Jazz entrant in the Rocky Mountain Revue this summer. He shot a team-high 57.9 percent from the floor and was impressive enough to earn a spot in Jazz veterans camp.
"What I like about him is that he makes shots," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "If he's got an open shot, he leaves you with a good feeling that the ball is going in the basket. That's hard to ignore as a coach in this business."
The Jazz have 12 players with guaranteed contracts. That means five players in camp - including Ruffner and second-round pick Nate Erdmann - are long shots, at best.
"It'll be virtually impossible for me to make this team," Ruffner freely admits.
Yet Sloan won't be surprised if Ruffner is able to make a living as a basketball player.
"If he continues to work and get better, who's to say he won't be playing in the NBA next year - or even this year," said Sloan. "He has a good understanding of the game, he can make shots and he knows how to play within a system."
If playing for the Jazz doesn't pan out, Ruffner isn't sure where he'll go. He has an agent checking into various options.
For now the former Timpview High, Utah State and BYU star is just enjoying his time in Jazz camp. "I've been watching Malone and Stockton for years and years, so it's a little bit intimidating," he said. "I'm just trying to play hard, fit in and do what I can to learn from the experience."
JAZZ NOTES: Jazz forward/-center Antoine Carr missed much of the morning practice Saturday after becoming dizzy. A mild inner-ear condition was diagnosed as the problem. Stockton sat out the evening scrimmages due to a sore knee. . . . Employees of Larry H. Miller's eight Boise-area auto dealerships were invited to watch the evening session of practice Saturday and meet the players afterward. . . . After two days of training camp the Jazz have the usual bumps, bruises and soreness, but have no major injuries to report.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jazz training camp watch
Player Comment
Shandon AndersonSloan: "He looks much more confident this year than last."
Antoine Carr Got dizzy in morning practice session and sat out.
Howard Eisley Experience is showing in head-to-head matchup vs. Vaughn.
Nate Erdmann Hamstrings ached, but "no way was I going to stop playing."
Greg Foster Spent evening scrimmages playing power forward position.
Jeff Hornacek Made 20 of 22 18-foot jumpers in one timed shooting drill.
Adam Keefe Extra practice appears to have helped his mid-range jumpers.
Karl Malone As if two-a-days weren't enough, has Stairmaster in hotel room.
Chris Morris Got biggest cheer of the night for a high-flying missed dunk.
Greg Ostertag "I'm a little bit sore . . . but I feel pretty good."
Bryon Russell "You can call me The Salt Lake City Bomber," he said.
John Stockton Sat out evening scrimmages with a sore left knee.
Jacque Vaughn Listed as 6-1; must have been wearing high-heels at the time.