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  Bob Lutz  

Desire hasn't faded from ex-Shockers

For the love of basketball, and the hope that someone's eyes will set upon them, Paul Miller, Jamar Howard and Rob Kampman continue to pursue their hoops dreams.

The former Wichita State players, integral in Mark Turgeon's rebuilding program with the Shockers, aren't in the NBA. They're not close. But they're still bouncing a ball.

Miller and Howard are back in the U.S. after playing in Europe.

Miller has been hanging around Wichita some and has spent time in his hometown, Jefferson City, Mo.

Howard is with his wife, Jessica, and their 3-year-old son, Jamar, in Bozeman, Mont., where he once played in the CBA at Great Falls, where he was an all-star in 2006-07. He spent the 2007-08 season playing for Noerdlingen in the second-best German pro league. Howard said he arrived late and played in only about 25 games, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds.

The 6-foot-10 Miller played for Polonia in Wausau, Poland, where he averaged 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. And, he wants it pointed out, one block.

"Coach Turgeon never wanted us reaching out of defensive position to try and block a shot," Miller said. "So I was pretty proud of averaging one block. Fans like blocked shots, and if you block the shot of your teammate's man, they're always pretty thankful for that."

Kampman is still playing with the Frankston Blues in the SEABL, an Australian pro league. He was the player of the week in Week 3, when he averaged 34.5 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. His team leads its division.

It's always interesting to follow the careers of players who decide to play overseas. There are so many teams in so many countries that finding out a player's locale is always one of the biggest challenges.

Miller played the previous season in Seoul, South Korea.

"It's always difficult to find a place to play," Miller said. "It's not because teams aren't out there looking for players. But it's tough to find the right fit. A lot of guys in Europe sign one-year contracts, so there's always a lot of turnover."

Miller said it's important for a player and his agent to find the exact right fit and not have to endure any surprises.

"I've talked to other players, and sometimes you can get into a situation where you feel like you're doing everything you can, but the team wants more out of you because they thought you were one type of player when you're actually not," Miller said.

Howard hadn't experienced basketball overseas until joining up with Noerdlingen this season. The money is better than it was in the CBA, and he hooked up with a team that won a league championship. He eventually moved into the starting lineup after a week or so and after that, said he averaged a double-double.

"Germany was a good time," Howard said. "And since we won the whole thing, we move up into the top league there next year. That's always a good thing. It means more exposure, more scouts looking at you. I want to see how far I can take it."

Anybody who saw Howard knows he has the athleticism to play at any level. For him, it has been about developing the kind of offensive game that will allow him to be a more well-rounded pro.

"I've worked on that, and I have more confidence shooting the ball," Howard said. "That's the biggest change in my game since I was at Wichita State. I still love to play defense, and I love being a team player. But now I'm not nervous about shooting the ball from the three-point line or from 15 feet. That took a while to come."

Howard, Miller and Kampman arrived at Wichita State together as a part of Turgeon's best recruiting class. It wasn't long after they arrived that the Shockers started to create a buzz in town, and although Miller, who was a freshman redshirt, is the only one of the three who was a part of WSU's Sweet 16 team in 2006, the foundation of that team included Howard and Kampman.

Miller was invited to preseason camp by the New York Knicks, an experience he'll always treasure. And, of course, he would like to get back into the NBA. Somehow, some way.

"I think that dream is always out there," said Miller, who said he is in the best shape of his life because, when playing overseas, there isn't a lot to do other than lift weights. "The most enticing part of it is that I could be in the States and not in a foreign country, so far away from the people I care about."

Miller would like to get to a point where he could be a backup center in the NBA.

"I know I'll never be a sixth man or a starter there," he said. "I would probably be a reserve player for my entire career."

Howard, too, knows it will take something out of the ordinary for him to get a chance in the NBA.

"You have to know the right people, I think," he said. "I think my game is good enough, but you have to be very lucky. My ultimate goal is to play in the NBA or to continue to play overseas."

Howard's immediate goal, though, is to spend as much time as he can with his son.

"He has made me grow up a lot," Howard said. "It's made me not think about having fun and partying all the time. Just to know you have your own son out there and you want to support him. It changes your perspective on everything."

Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz co-hosts "Sports Daily" from 9-11 a.m. weekdays on KFH, 1240-AM and 98.7-FM. Reach him at 316-268-6597 or blutz@wichitaeagle.com.