June 30 – The Orlando Magic may not have drafted former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara in Wednesday’s NBA draft, but they offered him the next best thing.

McNamara accepted an invitation Thursday to play for the Magic during its six-team NBA summer league, hosted in Orlando, beginning July 5. The league is a way for teams and scouts from around the NBA to further evaluate undrafted rookies with the intent of eventually signing some to free agent contracts.

‘They were consistent in their pursuit,’ said McNamara’s agent, Bill Neff, who received a phone call from Orlando during the draft informing him they could perhaps draft McNamara. ‘They really like him.’

Magic team offices were closed and could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

McNamara has plenty of hurdles to clear if he is to make the Magic, or any NBA team for that matter. Specifically, Orlando has six guards under contract, including DeShawn Stevenson, Carlos Arroyo, Jameer Nelson and Kenyon Dooling. Wednesday night, the Magic drafted another guard with its first-round pick, Duke’s J.J. Redick.

However, the only guard on the roster who will play for the Magic in the summer league is Travis Diener.

‘A good fit for the summer may be different from a good fit in the fall,’ Neff said.

Orlando’s roster is littered with guards, but McNamara will be showcasing his talents to more than just the Magic.

Neff particularly likes the setup of the Orlando camp because five other NBA teams – the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets – will field squads. Each team will play five games, beginning on July 10.

McNamara’s doctor has cleared him for play, but Neff remains concerned the groin injury which has plagued McNamara could bother him at any time.

‘It’s hard. No one is waiting for you to get better,’ Neff said. ‘If you pass up on the opportunity, they bring in the next guy and you’re out.’

Neff thinks McNamara’s formula for success at the summer league is simple.

‘All Gerry has to do is be Gerry,’ he said. ‘He has to make open shots and keep his opponent in front of him.’

Published on August 7, 2006 at 12:00 pm