Slam opener delayed; Theus may be coach

Victoria Sun

Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 | 2:08 a.m.

The Las Vegas Slam basketball team which last week joined ABA 2000 has postponed its home opener to Feb. 26.

Originally, the team was scheduled to begin play here on Monday against the Phoenix Eclipse. It will now host the Southern California Surf later this month at a site to be determined.

Team officials said they are close to hiring former UNLV and NBA standout Reggie Theus as head coach.

Slam personnel said the team also is close to signing a lease agreement with Cox Pavilion, the former home arena of the UNLV women's basketball team. It is anticipated the Slam will play its remaining 14 home games in the pavilion.

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward A.C. Green and West Coast businessmen Mike Carroll and David Moore are the principal owners of the Slam.

Carroll and Moore also have a stake in the Surf. Steve Chase, owner of the Surf, will be the senior vice president of operations for the Slam.

Chase said the team, one of just seven in ABA 2000, will have an invite only training camp/tryout on Sunday.

The Slam is entering ABA 2000 a year early to replace the Chicago franchise that was terminated by the league for failure to field a competitive team and the inability to find a suitable playing venue.