What happens when you don’t get drafted into NBA?

By Taylor Bern

Sunday, July 12, 2015 | 2 a.m.

This isn’t what Christian Wood had in mind when he left the UNLV basketball program with two years of college eligibility remaining.

After a breakout sophomore season in which he averaged 15.7 points and 10 rebounds per game, the long-limbed forward was projected as a late first-round prospect for June’s NBA Draft. At the draft combine, Wood measured 6-foot-10 with a 7-3 wingspan, desirable dimensions at the next level. But there were other numbers to consider, too —primarily Wood’s 14.7 percent body fat, second highest at the combine.

It added to questions about Wood’s work ethic that have persisted since he arrived in Southern Nevada fours years ago to play high school ball at Findlay Prep.

Reports from closed-door workouts with NBA teams didn’t help Wood’s case, and he slid down draft boards until he was left with his head in his hands at his party at Caesars Palace, undrafted.

Wood always figured to be a project, the type of player coaches would need to invest some years in to get their desired return. But his body and production seemed enough for a team to spend a pick on. Turns out it wasn’t.

Instead, Wood signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Rockets and will try to carve a path to the NBA the same way as other recent forwards who left college with eligibility remaining. James Michael McAdoo (Warriors), Jabari Brown (Lakers) and Tarik Black (Rockets) all made NBA rosters last season despite not being selected in 2014, giving Wood hope his journey will include reaching the sport’s top league.

Meantime, some of his possible stops along the way include:

NBA Summer League

Once Wood started slipping through the second round, where contracts aren’t guaranteed, going undrafted became a decent outcome. It allowed Wood to field more offers and pick his destination. He eventually signed a free agent contract with the Rockets that included guaranteed money.

Now, it’s time to start proving himself — and not just to Houston. The NBA Summer League is a chance for players to showcase themselves to all 24 teams in attendance.

Last year, former Rebel Khem Birch played with the Washington Wizards during Summer League after not being drafted. Although the Wizards didn’t keep Birch, the Miami Heat liked what they saw and brought Birch into training camp on a contract with guaranteed money. Birch was one of the final cuts when the Heat trimmed their roster to 13 players.

Now, he is heading to the NBA Development — or D-League to join former UNLV teammate Roscoe Smith, who also was not picked despite leaving UNLV with eligibility remaining.

How the summer league differs from regular season play

■ Rule changes: Players are allowed 10 fouls before being disqualified. In regular NBA games, it’s six. And if a game goes into double overtime, it’s sudden death — the team that scores first wins.

■ Good impression: Players aren’t the only ones performing for jobs next season. Referees hoping to break into the NBA or impress for work in a minor or foreign basketball league are, as well.

And coaches usually are highly thought of assistants gaining game experience. For instance, the San Antonio Spurs will be coached by Becky Hammon, who last season was the first woman assistant coach in NBA history.

■ Do the results matter? Most teams aren’t concerned with the final score and are satisfied giving prospects adequate playing time to start their development. But from 2010 to 2014, the Golden State Warriors set a summer league record with 16 straight summer league wins. Last month, the team won the NBA championship. Maybe the games matter, after all.

NBA D-League

It’s not glamorous playing in cities such as Bakersfield, Calif., and Erie, Pa., in front of sparse crowds. But that’s likely the path ahead for Wood, who turns 20 in September.

Smith and Birch made the most of their time in the NBA D-League in Los Angeles and Sioux Falls, S.D. Smith averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, while Birch averaged 11.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 70.3 percent from the field.

That didn’t earn them NBA call-ups, though; they’ll try to make rosters once again this summer.

But there are plenty of success stories from the D-League, including Matt Barnes, Jeremy Lin and Bishop Gorman High grad C.J. Watson. When the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA championship in 2014, six players had spent time in the D-League, including Danny Green, Patty Mills and Findlay Prep product Cory Joseph.

Players in the D-League make about $17,300 for the five-month season. But if they are called up to the NBA, a 10-day contract pays about $50,000.

Overseas

While playing in the minor league keeps players one phone call away from their dream, there’s more money and often more opportunity abroad.

Mike Moser once was in Wood’s shoes. Coming off a big sophomore season in which the forward averaged a double-double, Moser decided to return to UNLV instead of putting his name in the draft.

But things didn’t work out as planned after an injury-plagued junior year with the Rebels and a senior season at Oregon. After graduating and not getting drafted, Moser decided to head abroad.

Moser had interest from NBA teams after playing for the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team but instead signed a one-year contract with the Lithuanian club Lietuvos Rytas, which competes in the Eurocup, Europe’s second-tier league.

Overseas contracts can start at $65,000 annually, and most teams pay for room and board for players.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.