July 17, 2003
After one year apart, it does not look as though Steve Blake and Juan Dixon have missed a beat. The most productive backcourt in the history of Maryland basketball is clicking once again, this time as teammates for the NBA's Washington Wizards in the Reebok Pro Summer League, in Boston, Mass.
Blake, drafted by Washington with the 38th pick overall in this year's NBA draft, continues to do what he does best, dishing out 7.3 assists per game to lead the entire league after three games. In addition, the point guard is averaging 4.3 points while logging a team-high 93 minutes.
Dixon, the all-time steals leader at Maryland, already has eleven thefts thus far. The former All-American and Final Four MVP has managed to pull down eleven rebounds, tied for third-most among the Wizards. The second-year guard is averaging 13.7 points per game in 89 minutes of action.
Last Tuesday, Blake and Dixon squared off against another former teammate of theirs, Tahj Holden, who was picked up by the Atlanta Hawks' summer squad. Although he was 1-of-7 from the field, Holden secured a team-leading six rebounds in his second consecutive start at center for the Hawks.
The Wizards (1-2) have three games remaining, while Atlanta (1-1) will play four additional contests before the league winds down on Sunday, July 20.
Meanwhile, former Terp power forward Chris Wilcox is off to a blistering start with the L.A. Clippers in the Southern California Summer Pro League, located in Long Beach, Calif. Through five games he has established a 52.6 field goal percentage and is shooting free throws at a 78.3 percent clip. With a 9.8 ppg average to go along with 6.8 rpg, it appears as if Wilcox is prepared to have a serious impact with L.A. this season.
The Clippers have four games remaining on their summer league schedule.
The Pepsi Pro Summer League wrapped up on July 12 in Orlando, Fla. Drew Nicholas, famous for his March Madness buzzer-beater, joined the host Orlando Magic squad and averaged nearly two points and one assist per game in limited playing time. Orlando finished summer league play at 1-4.
