UCI’s Brooks and Engelstad Make NBA Cut

On March 11, 1988, Wayne Engelstad scored 30 points to lead UC Irvine to a 74-70 upset of Nevada Las Vegas and into the championship game of the conference basketball tournament for the first time in school history.

On Feb. 21, 1987, Anteater guard Scott Brooks scored 41 points in front of a hundred or so family and friends in Stockton against the University of the Pacific. Brooks once wanted to play for the Tigers, but they didn’t consider him worthy of a scholarship.

Today, however, is the biggest day in their basketball careers. National Basketball Assn. teams must trim their rosters to 12 today, and so Nov. 3 will be the date the two best friends--neither of whom was drafted after record-setting careers at Irvine--can celebrate as the anniversary of the official beginning of their NBA careers.

The culmination of a dream came Tuesday night for Brooks when the Philadelphia 76ers announced their final cuts. On the same night, Engelstad was “unofficially” informed by Denver Nuggets General Manager Pete Babcock that he would be on the opening-day roster.

Free agent Wayne Engelstad arrived 2 weeks early at the Nuggets’ training camp and within a couple of days had impressed the coaches with his work ethic and obvious love for the game.

The 6-foot 8-inch forward played in all 8 preseason games for Denver, averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds and 15 minutes per game. He had a high-game 16 points against San Antonio.

“Tomorrow will be the happiest day of my life,” Engelstad said Wednesday from Denver. “The dream comes true . . .

“I came here knowing 12 spots were already filled, but after I got here, I never felt so comfortable in a place. I quickly had the feeling this is the place for me.”

The Nuggets are expected to put forward Calvin Natt and swingman Bill Hanzlik on injured reserve today, making room for Engelstad.

Engelstad, whom Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan commonly referred to as “the fat guy,” says he weighs just under 240 pounds and that he is in the best physical condition of his life.

“I’m in great shape,” he said. “I’m really happy with the way I’ve practiced and the way I’ve played in the preseason. Coach (Doug) Moe asks only that you go hard on every single play and I’ve been able to keep my intensity up for the whole 2 hours of every practice.

“And I’m happy with the way I’m running. A lot of people didn’t think I could fit in with this team’s (running) style, but I think it’s perfect for me. I’m playing against mostly power forwards and when we’re 20 feet from basket, I think I’ve got a big advantage.”

Engelstad, whose quick first step and deft outside shot helped him average 24 points a game at Irvine, was given an outside chance, at best, of making the Nuggets. The injuries to Natt and Hanzlik helped, but Engelstad’s counting on sticking.

“I’m not going to think about what happens when they come back,” he said. “This team has been kind of injury-prone in the past and I’m sure the more they see me, the more they’ll like me.

“I don’t want to be a 12th man in this league, I want to play.”

Scott Brooks, all 5-11 of him, almost made the 76ers last year. After he was cut, he helped lead the Albany Patroons to the Continental Basketball Assn. title.

Tuesday night, Philadelphia waived guard/forward Andre Spencer and guard David Henderson, and in the process Brooks became a member of the NBA team he always has admired most.

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” Brooks said from Charles Barkley’s house in Philadelphia, where he’s staying until he finds an apartment. “It feels so good, especially because no one expected me to make it. I was a third-round pick in the CBA draft.

“I came here to try out last year because they’ve been my favorite team for the last decade and I wanted to get some experience and exposure.”

The experience paid off. And it seems the exposure is just beginning.

The Nuggets followed the 76ers into Houston for a preseason game last month and Engelstad picked up a newspaper to see how his buddy had done the night before.

He didn’t have to look past Page 1.

“I grabbed the sports section and wham , there it was, a picture of Scotty and a big caption that said, ‘Scott Brooks, the 76ers’ crowd-pleaser.’ ” Engelstad said, laughing.

Brooks played in all 8 exhibition games with Philadelphia, averaging 5 points, 6 assists, 1 turnover and 19 minutes a game. An assist-to-turnover ratio of 3 to 1 is considered very good in the NBA.

Only five Philadelphia players had more minutes in the preseason. Sources close to the club say Brooks has won the backup point guard position and should play 15 to 20 minutes a game behind starter Maurice Cheeks.

The on-the-court charisma that caught the eye of college crowds everywhere Brooks went seems to be having the same effect in the pros. The 76ers--recognizing a crowd-darling when they see one--already have changed his uniform number from 14 to 1.

“They told me I’d be wearing No. 1 and that’s fine with me,” Brooks said. “Little guys wear little numbers, I guess. They never actually told me so, but I think it has to do with me being a crowd favorite wherever we went.”

Brooks said playing in the NBA is just what he expected. The players are bigger and stronger and quicker. And he isn’t the least bit intimidated.

“I feel like I belong here,” he said. “I’ve worked very, very hard for this. And I still can get off some of those running, spinning, reverse layups, too.

“But my main job here is to get the ball to guys like Charles (Barkley). I think the turnover ratio is what really impressed them. We’re running a lot more than they have in the past here and I’m running the club well and passing to the right guys at the right times.”

He’s also having the time of his life.

“I’m very happy but I’m not satisfied,” Brooks said. “I’m the kind of player that always wants more.

“But it’s fun, yeah. Heck, I’m having a blast .”