See what I did with the headline? That took me seven hours.

From Maryland Basketball: Where Are They Now? comes a report that Eric Hayes has signed to play in Spain, or, as I like to call it, El Pais De Los Suenos. El Lugar Donde Los Suenos Estan Bailando En Las Calles. Ayyyyyyy. Muy bien.

If anyone out there has any Photoshop skills, please put a sombrero on this picture of Eric Hayes and send it back to me. Or, maybe you could add him into the Spanish Olympic team photo where they’re all making Chinese eyes. Thanks.

Eric will play for El Leche Rio Breogan, a team in the second-most-prestigious league in the entire nation. Now that bullfighting may be going the way of a bull after a bullfight, I need a new sport to patronize when I am in La Espana. Looks like I just found one.

Felicidades to Senor Hayes. As we have said many times before, a man can do a lot worse than spending his 20s playing basketball in Europe for six figures. A lot, LOT worse.

(Photo credit: ESPN980.com)

We can’t all be Dez Bryant.

Former Maryland d-lineman Travis Ivey is now just another undrafted free agent trying to see whether he stacks up in the NFL. Just trying to shoulder the burden. He’s looking to pad his NFL resume. He is “getting hazed” at “training camp,” if you get my meaning.

Here’s hoping he catches on. It’s the only thing that would make this picture worth it.

(Photo credit: Larry Brown Sports.)

I know it’s gonna be football season before too long, and this week we’ll start cranking up the pigskin coverage. But I’m just not quite ready yet. Especially with a fun and interesting NBA summer league having just wrapped up in Vegas.

The only thing that would have made it even more funner is if any of the former Terps had taken full advantage of their opportunity. There were some bright spots, but by and large the Maryland alums failed to impress.

To be fair, any undrafted player (especially one that graduated a while back) is probably overacheiving just to get there in the first place. The summer league is just as much a springboard to a job with an overseas organization as it is to the NBA. The players spend a couple weeks in Orlando and then Vegas, drawing the league’s average salary for an undrafted rookie free agent salary and a $100 per diem. There are worse things.

But the fact remains that as a group the ex-Terps didn’t exactly set the globe afire. Let us now take ourselves a look back at everyone who surfaced — and resurfaced — in Sin City:

• D.J. Strawberry, Los Angeles Lakers.
  Key stat: 13 points per game on 44 percent FG
  Nice scoring clip, and by all accounts he remains a Saranwrappian defender. Unfortunately, his assist-turnover ratio is about 2:3, so that’s not what you want to see. The Lakers already have a glut of guards, including, of course, one Mr. Steve Blake, but D.J. acquitted himself well here and could get a look from other NBA teams.
• Landon Milbourne, Atlanta Hawks.
  Key Stat: 0.8 rebounds per game
  It just, uh, it just didn’t go well for Landon. In last week’s win over Milwaukee, Milbourne played his heaviest minutes — eight — and threw up a 2 and 0. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what the end of a road looks like.

  But hey, he made the online video recap after last night’s win over Minnesota. See that guy man-hugging Lazar Hayward? That’s Landon!

  As I’ve said many times before, a man should count himself lucky if he can play in Europe for six figures.

• Nik Caner-Medley, Los Angeles Clippers.
  Key Stats: 9 points and 3 boards in 18 minutes per game
  Ready for the other shoe? That stat is only for one contest. But what a contest it was. Nik had joy. Nik had fun. Nik had one game in the sun. Then he sprained his wrist last week, didn’t score in game two, and sat out the final three entirely. Better luck next time.
• James Gist, San Antonio Spurs.
  Key Stat: Five rebounds per game
  Hey, remember on Saturday, when former Maryland teammates Gist and Nik Caner-Medley squared off? That was awesome. The best part was when they both got a DNP-Coach’s Decision. And for all those NBA conspiracy theorists out there, Gist went down with a sprained wrist — just like Caner-Medley!!!!!! Come on, NBA. When you doctor your injury reports because you want to manipulate the outcome of the games, don’t use THE SAME INJURY for both players. Gist has pretty efficient stats and could attach himself to the end of San Antonio’s bench. But more importantly, if you rearrange “Nik Caner-Medley,” you almost get “Canadian league.” We’re through the looking glass here, people.
• Greivis Vasquez, Memphis Grizzlies.
  Key Stat: 1:1 assists-to-turnovers
  I don’t know if you remember Greivis Vasquez (pronounced GREE-viss VASS-kez), but he played four years with the Terps. He was kind of controversial, actually. Greev’s learning curve began anew this summer, and it showed. His shot selection was uneven, and he didn’t exactly go out with a bang, finishing up last night with six points on 2-7 shooting and a big seven turnovers. But still, the guy showed flashes, as he always does. Don’t worry, Memphis. He’ll come around. And in the meantime, he’s got O.J. Mayo to show him the ropes. Now that’s good news.
• Ekene Ibekwe, Portland Trailblazers.
  Key Stat: 5.2 personal fouls per game
  Meh. Or is that bleh? I’ll stick with meh.
• Chris McCray, Memphis Grizzlies.
  Key Stat: 58 percent FG shooting
  McCray doesn’t even have a real page in the NBA summer league section. That doesn’t seem to be a reason for optimism. But since I’m a hardened reporter, I didn’t let the lack of a hyperlink discourage me. I went and looked at individual games to get his stats — and I won’t accept any applause for it, either. I’m just doing my job the same way any other everyday hero would do it. What my deep investigation revealed was a pretty good showing for Chris. Seven for 12 during the mini-season, including eight points in the finale. He didn’t do much else, but you know what? He didn’t embarrass himself. In my book, that’s a victory for McCray.

It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out for these guys. Always fun to see some old faces playing for professional teams that don’t have names like the Canyon Hawks or the Rheiner Grugen. Here’s hoping at least a couple of them catch on.

Eric Hayes, looking especially European here, is probably all like, 'not funny, dude.'

Although the phrase “cup of coffee” is used to denote a short stint with a pro league or team, I’m not sure it even applies to Eric Hayes today. In his time with the Washington Wizards, Hayes had more like two Splenda packets and a little container of cream. Now, you wanna sip that slowly, Eric. It is half milk, after all.

Unfortunately, Hayes’ pro career ended before it started. Three days in a minicamp, to be exact. In on Thursday, out on Saturday. Hayes was not on the roster for Washington’s first summer league game against the Los Angeles Clippers (that page is really good, by the way…video highlights and everything). Probably not a shock, given that the Wiz currently have 17 guards under contract. No word on Hayes’ future plans, although they almost certainly include Europe. And as I and many others have said before, a man could do a lot worse.

But going back to the Wiz-Clippers game…Hayes wasn’t on the roster, but guess who was. One Nik Caner-Medley. He finished with a 17 and 4 for the Clips. Say whuhuh? I know, exactly.

Testudo Times has a rundown of other ex-Terps in summer league action, including a fairly listless face-off between Vasquez and Landon Milbourne. Milbourne, who is fighting for an NBA career, netted no points and no boards in three minutes of action. Better get two plane tickets, Eric.

“I love that pickup. I love that pickup. Every time I played against Blake when he was in Portland and when he matched up with me, he obviously gave up a lot in size and weight but he fought me hard every time. And I hit him with some nasty elbows, believe me, but he kept fighting, he kept battling, kept battling and to me, that’s the kind of guy I want on my team so it says a lot about him.” 

– Kobe Bryant

Summer is the cruelest season. If you’re like me, you spend the rest of the year looking forward to the hot-weather months, purely based on the fantasy that this year — THIS year –will surely bring the margarita-fueled windsurfing excursion you’ve always envisioned. Nope. Turns out I still have to go to work. Oh, right, I forgot. All the summer does is make things sweatier. Surf’s up.

The glaring lack of sports on TV doesn’t help things, either. But one thing I’ve discovered in recent years is the NBA summer league. It’s not exactly the Western Conference finals, but it is pro basketball, and does contain the extra drama that can only come when guys are playing for careers in the field of playing sports.

This summer, Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes, and Landon Milbourne all made summer league rosters. Vasquez, of course, is on solid ground after being drafted 28th to the Memphis Grizzlies. Hayes and Milbourne, meanwhile, are going to sing for their supper in Washington and Atlanta, respectively, according to a report from Ridiculous Upside. Given Washington’s guard surplus, Hayes may be playing for game tape footage, although given Washington’s penchant for signing ex-Terps, and GM Ernie Grunfeld’s penchant for white-guy guards, I’m not gonna say die just yet. As for Milbourne catching on, that’s a total crapshoot as far as I can tell.

Here are the schedules for each team’s summer league games. Select games will air on NBA TV (noted by asterisk below, or check full schedule here). All games are available through NBA Broadband, although it costs $14.95, so F that. I’ve already circled July 12 on my calendar, when Vasquez’s Grizz collide with Milbourne’s Hawks. The paparazzi are gonna be swarming for that one.

Memphis Grizzlies/Vasquez: 7/12 vs Atlanta, 7/13 vs Milwaukee*, 7/15 vs D-League, 7/16 vs Minnesota*, 7/18 vs San Antonio

Atlanta Hawks/Milbourne: 7/12 vs Memphis, 7/14 vs San Antonio, 7/15 vs Milwaukee, 7/17 vs D-League, 7/18 vs Minnesota

Washington Wizards/Eric Hayes: 7/11 vs Golden State*, 7/12 vs Clippers*, 7/15 vs Dallas*, 7/16 vs New Orleans*, 7/17 vs New York*

The Orange County Register reported today that Steve Blake is in the catbird seat to start at point guard next season in Los Angeles.

Color me skeptical as long as respected veteran and Laker-4-evah Derek Fisher remains on the team’s roster. Yeah, I know he’s in a contract dispute and I know he’s getting old, but it’s still Derek Fisher. But imagine Stevie Blake running the Lake Show to another title. Now that’s spine-tingly-dingling.

(Photo credit: The Mixtape Monster)

Isn’t it great to be back at work?!?! Ahhhh, the smell of the grindstone on my delicate nose skin! I wish every day was the Tuesday after a three-day weekend.

If you’re one of those ne’er-do-wells who didn’t spend the July 4 recess in front of one or more information rectangles, I will now inform you that Maryland alum Steve Blake agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Lakers Friday for a crisp $16 million over four years. This is good for Blake because the Lakers have gained something of a reputation for doing good at basketball. It’s good for the Lakers because he’ll be a rock-solid backup for Derek Fisher and probably spells the end of significant PT for Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic. And if that wasn’t enough, Blake has the Ron Artest Seal of Approval. We all win here.

It’s interesting to look back on how the 2002 Terps have fared at the highest level of hoops. Juan Dixon had his moments in the NBA, but currently is playing overseas — or at least he was until he tested positive for performance enhancers (he’s now awaiting an eligibility ruling). Lonny Baxter played sparingly over four seasons and was out of the league by mid-decade — perhaps the biggest pro disappointment of the group. Byron Mouton, Ryan Randle, Tahj Holden, and Drew Nicholas never broke in. Chris Wilcox, who cut the most tantalizing NBA profile, just exercised a $3 million option to remain with the Detroit Pistons for another season.  It’s been a solid run for Wilcox, but his 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games last season didn’t exactly light up the phones in Joe Dumars’ office, and represent his lowest and second-lowest averages in those respective categories since his rookie campaign.

For comparison’s sake, here are the career stats of the four players who spent time in the NBA after the Terps’ 2002 championship:

Steve Blake:   499 games, 25.7 mpg, 7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.46 TOs
Chris Wilcox:  482 games, 21.1 mpg, 9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.24 TOs
Juan Dixon:  436 games, 19.5 mpg, 8.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.27 TOs
Lonny Baxter:  162 games, 11.6 mpg, 3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.67 TOs 

Where Wilcox never quite converted his potential, Blake has developed his niche as a steady floor general who garners respect through good old-fashioned sweat and guts (an image underscored by his penchant for working out with UFC fighters). He had a clean 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio last year and hits 40 percent from three. If that’s not a championship-caliber backup point guard, then…well, whatever, he’s a championship-caliber backup point guard. Here’s hoping he gets a ring in L.A. He’s earned it.

I’ll take my payments in cash and my verbal bouquets funky and sloppy.

Seriously, it was a great night for Greivis. He got a great ovation from the notoriously irascible MSG crowd, and capped it all off in classic Vasquez fashion with a big bear hug for David Stern. Congratulations, sir.

Unfortunately Hayes and Milbourne didn’t get picked, but if it’s any consolation it can’t have come as a surprise. Now they have to hope for a training camp invite, and if that doesn’t pan out they’ll just have to be content to travel the world playing for a salary merely in the high five figures.

More coverage and the camera-shaking announcement, reaction, and triumphant stroll to the podium here.

As you know, it is very likely that Greivis Vasquez will hear his name called tonight in Madison Square Garden.  My money is still on Memphis at 28, but plenty of other options are in play. Just yesterday, for example, rumors emerged that the Knicks are trying to move up with the explicit goal of drafting either Vasquez or Iowa forward Craig Brackins. We shall see.

In the meantime, however, fellow Terp standouts and grads Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne are also (at least technically) on the board tonight. What are their chances?

Well, in a nutshell, they’re not good. But there have been a few nibbles.

Along with the Vaz, both Hayes and Milbourne worked out with the Wizards, although that’s a classic public relations move straight out of the Susan O’Malley playbook. I wouldn’t bank on the Wiz taking them, especially since their last pick is 35 and both would be a reach at that position, plus the fact that the Wiz are looking to move up in the draft, plus the fact that the team is understandably looking at bigs with their later selections. So that’s out.

Thanks to this wonderful, incredible document from NBAdraft.net, we can see that Milbourne has drawn a lot more interest.

Along with the Bullets, Landon has worked out for the Warriors, Clippers, Hawks, Pacers, Pistons, and Timberwolves.

Hayes has been more under the radar than Milbourne, but that doesn’t mean The Steady One isn’t chasing the dream as well. His D.C. workout apparently went pretty swimmingly. He also racked up some extra footage and face time in a workout with the Raptors. Rumored sessions for the Bulls and Pistons don’t seem to have materialized.

Based on this, a draft selection doesn’t seem imminent for either. As we wrote in this space a couple months ago, Milbourne’s pedestrian showing at the Portsmouth Invitational probably sealed his fate. Hayes did not even garner an invitation to that event, which is college basketball’s equivalent of the Senior Bowl.

My prediction is that Milbourne gets a shot to make the Wizards as an undrafted free agent. They can use all the tall guys they can get, and just the fact that they invited Landon and Hayes for workouts means they still see the (financial) value in having a hometown favorite on the roster, just as they did in the O’Malley days when they kick-started the pro careers of other ex-Terps on the draft bubble (Steve Blake, Lonny Baxter and LaRon Profit come to mind).

Hayes will probably not be so lucky. But maybe the D-league is in his future. I would speculate that the NBA will not completely turn its back on someone with the calm demeanor of an Eric Hayes; that’s an increasingly rare commodity in the league and can be important to team chemistry, especially when it comes from the crucial point guard position. His NBA range doesn’t hurt either.

Of course, almost every country in the world has a pro basketball league, so these guys will almost assuredly get paid to play somewhere for some period of time. It’s anyone’s guess what happens tonight — hey, maybe I’ll be wrong. I know I’ll be pulling for all three.