Jack McClinton to enter D-League draft

According to ex-UM Hurricane shooter and European veteran Jack McClinton (Agency: Alti Sport) -- now more then ever -- is the perfect time to pursue his NBA ambitions.

"I've reached a point in my career where I don't want to look back in regret and say 'what if,'" McClinton told his circle of trusties. "My goal is to show NBA teams I can compete at a high level so I'm willing to sacrifice one season overseas for a potential call up," he added.

Since establishing himself as a prominent European shooter in Turkey, Israel and the Ukraine, collecting multiple team and individual awards, McClinton has recently declined offers from teams like Lagun Aro (Spain), Nancy (France) and a pair of Italian clubs, in attempt to work his way through the NBA Development League and jump-start his NBA career.

McClinton will look to become eligible for the D-League draft on November 2nd and is hopeful that his talents will standout, resulting in a call up from the NBA.

When he's not working out with recently waived Celtic guard Dionte Christmas at St. Joes University in Philadelphia, the Baltimore native shooter spends valuable time studying the game of basketball on Synergy with close friend Dorell Wright of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last month, while the Miami Heat entertained roster possibilities before the start of training camp, 6-foot-1 McClinton was invited for a couple of workouts at AmericanAirlines Arena. However, journeymen veterans Rodney Carney and Garrett Temple (who have since been waived) were chosen over him.

Disappointed he didn't make camp but encouraged by the pep-talk with Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, who resembled both his game and size to former Heat shooter Eddie House, for McClinton, a two-time All-ACC 1st Team (2008 and 2009) member and Israeli League All-Star Game 3-Point Shootout champ, a minor setback for a bigger comeback seems to be the calling.

McClinton spent the 2011-2012 season in the Ukraine with Budivelnyk Kyiv, where he won the domestic cup. He averaged 13.6ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.0apg in the league play and upped his performances in the European VTB League where he finished as the league's fourth leading scorer with 14.8ppg (shooting 44.6% from beyond the arc), adding 3.0rpg and 1.8apg.


(eurobasket.com)