Pyramid Becomes Court of Dreams

He had no job, little money and a pregnant wife.

Then Mike Penberthy realized every minor leaguer’s dream.

Twenty minutes before the Lakers boarded their plane for the 2000-01 opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, Coach Phil Jackson and General Manager Mitch Kupchak invited Penberthy into an office.

“They just said, ‘Congratulations, you made the team. You earned it,’ ” recalled Penberthy, who had been practicing with the team for a few weeks after an impressive private summer workout but had not been offered a contract.

For the next three weeks, dozens of NBA hopefuls will be in Long Beach, hoping to become the next Penberthy. The 32nd annual Summer Pro League, which begins today at the Pyramid, attracts representatives from every NBA team, as well as several European and minor league scouts.

The Lakers, Clippers and eight other NBA teams will be represented. Several top rookies, among them Chicago’s Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, Memphis’ Shane Battier and Houston’s Eddie Griffin, plus former UCLA players JaRon Rush and Earl Watson are expected to compete.

But because NBA rules mandate that only three players under contract can participate per team, only die-hard basketball fans will recognize the majority of the players.

Point guard Tyson Wheeler, who played for the Los Angeles Stars in the ABA last season, and forward Ansu Sesay (CBA) are on the Clipper team. Dante Calabria (Europe) and Antonio Granger (Europe) will play for the Lakers.

“We’re hoping for a couple of surprises,” said Laker assistant Jim Cleamons, who is coaching the summer squad. “A few of them may have an opportunity to compete for jobs [in the fall].”

For Trevor Winter, a 7-foot, 280-pound center, an invitation to fall camp would be ideal. After graduating from Minnesota in 1997, Winter spent a year in Spain, then joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 1998-99 season.

He has not played in the NBA since.

“I got a taste [of the NBA],” said Winter, who played in the CBA last season before the league folded in February. “Now I want to go back.”

The Lakers need a backup center after trading Greg Foster to Milwaukee and the triangle offense suits Winter’s strengths. He can shoot from the outside and is more effective in half-court sets.

But the odds remain high. Most teams have only a few spots open.

Just ask Penberthy.

Although he played for a team that won the NBA title, has a baby boy and is more financially secure than he was last summer, he can relate to his new teammates.

Penberthy, known for his outside shooting, played in Germany, Venezuela and the CBA before signing a one-year contract last season.

So, at the moment, he is a restricted free agent. The first day for free agents to sign is July 18.

With the NBA permitting zone defenses next season, Penberthy’s stock has soared. He says he has been contacted by eight or nine NBA teams, but he remains optimistic that he’ll re-sign with the Lakers.

He’s less certain about the NBA futures of other players.

“In some ways, I feel bad for these guys,” Penberthy said. “You can develop some sort of a false expectation level, thinking that this team is really interested in you, when in reality they may not really be. But there’s always a possibility.”

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The Facts

* What: 32nd annual Summer Pro League.

* Where: The Pyramid at Long Beach State.

* When: Today through July 29; five games a day at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3, 5:15, and 7:30.

* Teams participating: Lakers, Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls. Several foreign teams, among them BC KYIV, the Ukrainian national team, the Canadian national team and the Magic Johnson Great Danes.

* First games: Lakers-Grizzlies tonight, 7:30; Clippers-Grizzlies Sunday, 5:15.

* Ticket prices: $10 reserved and $8 general admission. Call (562) 985-4949 for more information.