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ShareAmal McCaskill: Starting His Journey - Again
It is a journey that many athletes take, but few find their way to the end.
When Amal McCaskill signed as a free agent with the 76ers on July 16, it was the fifth NBA roster the 6-foot-11 center has been on in seven years.
After playing four seasons at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., McCaskill embarked on his journey by being selected in the second round (49th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He played one season with Orlando but was not picked up by another NBA team following his rookie season.
“After my first season with Orlando, there was some uncertainty on where I was going to go. I was young and I knew I had a lot to learn about the game. But deep down, I was sure that I had a lot of basketball left in me and wasn’t going to give up that easy,” said McCaskill.
Like many players, the Chicago native’s options were limited to the CBA and international play. McCaskill's road back too the NBA would go through Fort Wayne of the CBA, and four years playing in Spain, Greece and Venezuela. Following the 2001 season, McCaskill earned another shot with an NBA team.
“After going overseas, I got a contract with the Spurs by playing in the Utah Summer League, ironically enough. I had an opportunity and made the most of it,” said McCaskill. “Bouncing around from place to place makes you appreciate some stability and the lifestyle in the NBA. I was happy to get another shot with the Spurs.”
San Antonio provided McCaskill with that coveted second-chance. He played under the guidance of Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Following a 2001-02 campaign where he averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 27 games for the Spurs, McCaskill’s second-stint in the NBA was a brief one. As part of a trade, he was sent to Portland and waived by the Blazers during their 2002 training camp. McCaskill signed with the Hawks three days later and stayed with the team until he was waived in December.
Finishing out the 2003 season in Spain, McCaskill has been living out of his gym bag this summer on what he calls “The Tour.” July began with workouts with the Lakers, Pacers and Knicks, followed by joining Detroit’s summer league team in Orlando. New York asked him to rejoin their squad for the 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League, where his story and journey grew more intriguing.
While playing with the Knicks in Boston, McCaskill caught the eye of the Philadelphia’s front office and was offered a contract for the 2003-04 season with Sixers. After playing just two games in Boston, McCaskill, signed with the 76ers, switched jerseys and played the remaining games in Boston with the Sixers squad. McCaskill went with the team onto the 2003 Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue in Utah, where he continued to prove himself to the coaching staff.
“Amal has a great feel for the game. He is comfortable on the block, a good defender and can rebound the ball,” said assistant coach Bob Bender. “It was amazing how quickly he picked up everything. Amal went through one practice with us in Boston (after signing with the Sixers mid-way through the Boston Summer League) and picked things up very quickly. He gave us some quality minutes in Boston and Utah, and we look forward to working with him at camp in October.”
Now a Sixer, McCaskill feels like he has a bit of stability, which he cherishes everyday.
“I am very excited to play in Philly,” he said during the team’s week in Utah. “I have learned a lot along this crazy path I have taken in these last few months.”
With the Summer League schedules finished, McCaskill can relax at his home in Yonkers, N.Y., and get some much needed rest for now. As for next season?
“I need to come into camp in the best shape possible, ready for anything, ready to contribute in any way and do whatever it takes to make the Sixers better and prove myself, yet again,” he said.
It would seem that McCaskill’s journey is just getting started - again.
When Amal McCaskill signed as a free agent with the 76ers on July 16, it was the fifth NBA roster the 6-foot-11 center has been on in seven years.
After playing four seasons at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., McCaskill embarked on his journey by being selected in the second round (49th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He played one season with Orlando but was not picked up by another NBA team following his rookie season.
“After my first season with Orlando, there was some uncertainty on where I was going to go. I was young and I knew I had a lot to learn about the game. But deep down, I was sure that I had a lot of basketball left in me and wasn’t going to give up that easy,” said McCaskill.
Like many players, the Chicago native’s options were limited to the CBA and international play. McCaskill's road back too the NBA would go through Fort Wayne of the CBA, and four years playing in Spain, Greece and Venezuela. Following the 2001 season, McCaskill earned another shot with an NBA team.
Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images |
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| APG | RPG | PPG | |
| RPSL | 1.3 | 6.3 | 6.7 |
| RMR | 1.3 | 3.8 | 8.8 |
San Antonio provided McCaskill with that coveted second-chance. He played under the guidance of Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Following a 2001-02 campaign where he averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 27 games for the Spurs, McCaskill’s second-stint in the NBA was a brief one. As part of a trade, he was sent to Portland and waived by the Blazers during their 2002 training camp. McCaskill signed with the Hawks three days later and stayed with the team until he was waived in December.
Finishing out the 2003 season in Spain, McCaskill has been living out of his gym bag this summer on what he calls “The Tour.” July began with workouts with the Lakers, Pacers and Knicks, followed by joining Detroit’s summer league team in Orlando. New York asked him to rejoin their squad for the 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League, where his story and journey grew more intriguing.
While playing with the Knicks in Boston, McCaskill caught the eye of the Philadelphia’s front office and was offered a contract for the 2003-04 season with Sixers. After playing just two games in Boston, McCaskill, signed with the 76ers, switched jerseys and played the remaining games in Boston with the Sixers squad. McCaskill went with the team onto the 2003 Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue in Utah, where he continued to prove himself to the coaching staff.
“Amal has a great feel for the game. He is comfortable on the block, a good defender and can rebound the ball,” said assistant coach Bob Bender. “It was amazing how quickly he picked up everything. Amal went through one practice with us in Boston (after signing with the Sixers mid-way through the Boston Summer League) and picked things up very quickly. He gave us some quality minutes in Boston and Utah, and we look forward to working with him at camp in October.”
| “ |
I have learned a lot along this crazy path I have taken in these last few months.” — Amal McCaskill |
“I am very excited to play in Philly,” he said during the team’s week in Utah. “I have learned a lot along this crazy path I have taken in these last few months.”
With the Summer League schedules finished, McCaskill can relax at his home in Yonkers, N.Y., and get some much needed rest for now. As for next season?
“I need to come into camp in the best shape possible, ready for anything, ready to contribute in any way and do whatever it takes to make the Sixers better and prove myself, yet again,” he said.
It would seem that McCaskill’s journey is just getting started - again.
