Huffman Considered a Longshot at Center

Free-agent rookie Nate Huffman, whose lifelong dream is to play in the NBA, had the NBA logo tattooed on his arm when he was in junior college in Lansing, Mich.

“Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine,” Huffman said. “But people used to get on me about it all the time. They’d say it should say ‘CBA,’ but it actually encouraged me. Now that I’m here, they can’t say anything.”

Huffman, a 7-foot-1 center from Central Michigan, hasn’t made the Clippers yet, but he’s close.

Centers Stojko Vrankovic and Keith Closs are sure to make the team. But Huffman could make it if Coach Bill Fitch decides to carry three centers.

Although he’s unpolished, Huffman, who set a school record with 161 blocked shots in two years, looked good in training camp.

“He’s got a lot to learn,” Fitch said. “He’s got a lot of potential in his game, but he’s got to learn better techniques. . . . It’s tough to make it the first time around in this league.”

Huffman is optimistic.

“I’ve been playing really well,” he said. “I’ve been playing good offense and defense and correcting my mistakes. It’s just up to them.”

If Huffman doesn’t make it this time, he’ll probably make it eventually because of his size.

“Then my tattoo will match the uniform,” he said.