On-the-job training

Victoria Sun

Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 10:52 a.m.

When Las Vegas Silver Bandits swingman DeeAndre Hulett streaks down the basketball court like a sprinter before weaving his lean frame into the lane filled with defenders only to dunk over all of them, it's not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

It's part of his plan.

"I'd pay to watch him," Silver Bandits coach Barry Hecker said. "He's exciting."

In fact, Hulett's explosiveness often lends itself to highlight-reel moves that make you want to look for someone to affirm what you just saw.

And as helter skelter as some of Hulett's moves look, he knows exactly what he's doing.

"At that particular moment, you just feel like you can do anything," Hulett said. "And your adrenaline is flowing a lot.

"You just go out there and try new stuff. That's me. I just like to try new stuff. A lot of people ask me why I do the stuff I do, I just tell them I like to try new stuff."

Admittedly, the "new stuff" doesn't always work.

Hulett says he enjoys playing to fans and admits there have been times when he is too eager to wow the crowd.

Even so, Hecker staunchly defends the 19-year-old because for most of his life, Hulett has relied on talent and instinct.

"I don't think anyone has ever talked to him about how to play basketball fundamentally and think about the game," Hecker said. "But he's a pretty good learner.

"He definitely has NBA ability. It's just a question of him getting better at things, refining his skills and learning how to play."

Hulett will see how his talent measures up to other NBA hopefuls in June during a predraft camp in Chicago. Last week he declared himself eligible for this year's draft, to be held June 28.

Between now and then, Hulett will have individual workouts with eight NBA teams including Indiana, Portland and Houston.

After averaging 28.7 points and 8.4 rebounds at the College of the Sequoias last year while playing under Jerry Tarkanian's son George, Hulett entered the 1999 draft. He withdrew his name after the Chicago camp when he was told he needed to work on his game.

Hulett planned to return to the College of the Sequoias this season but opted to play in the newly formed International Basketball League with the Silver Bandits.

In 56 games, seven as a starter, Hulett averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.

"It's worked out for the best," Hulett said. "I learned a lot from a lot of these guys.

"This season has made me mature a lot because at first, I thought you can just go off your natural ability. Now I realize it's not that. You've got big guys that are pounding you every night. You're playing 60-something games now versus 80-something in the NBA, where you'll be taking that pounding every night. You need to be in tiptop physical condition and strong."

Those are two things Hulett needs to work on the most.

When the Silver Bandits are in town, Hulett shoots 300 to 400 jumpers per day, then heads to the weight room to bulk up -- work he never thought of doing before.

"I think I'll fit in well in the NBA," Hulett said. "I don't want to go up in there and be one of those types of players they say 'He came in and he's not ready right now. Why did he leave school early?'

"I just want to go in there and work hard and play so I can provide for my family."

That family includes his mom Sandra, whom he calls his best friend, and a three-month old son, DeeAndre.

But Hulett says he won't make the leap to the NBA unless he's picked in the first round.

"If I'm not going to go in the first round, I'm not going to go," Hulett said. "I just don't want to go through all that having to battle with other guys to get contracts (second round picks do not get guaranteed contracts).

"Whereas if I wait another year, I know I'll get the money."

Sounds like a solid plan.

* PLAYOFF GAME ON INTERNET: Las Vegas fans can follow the Silver Bandits in the first round of the IBL playoffs starting Friday night at 7 when the team hosts the New Mexico Slam at the Thomas & Mack Center. Click on www.iblhoops.com to hear and watch the Silver Bandits.