It’s a Tough Go for Rookie Duo

Sink or swim.

That essentially is the situation facing undrafted Clipper rookies Quinton Ross and Marcus Hatten, the only players left on the 17-man preseason roster with contracts that are not at least partially guaranteed.

And the young guards, facing NBA competition for the first time in front of a capacity crowd Tuesday night at Sacramento, struggled to keep their heads above water in the Clippers’ 101-82 exhibition loss to the Kings.

Ross, the Western Athletic Conference player of the year last season at Southern Methodist, missed all four of his shots.

Hatten, the most valuable player in the National Invitation Tournament last March after leading St. John’s to the championship, was 0 for 3.

Both said they were surprised by the game’s frantic pace.

“Everything seemed to be happening so fast,” said Ross, who played 11 minutes. “Once I got into the flow of the game it got kind of better, but it was still going real quick for me out there, man. ...

“Every guy’s a great athlete, so you’ve got to watch yourself.”

Said Hatten, who played 21 minutes: “The pace was so fast I couldn’t slow down. But now that I know what it’s like, I’ll take a deep breath ... and take my time.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy, himself a longshot as a sixth-round draft pick who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said he’ll continue to give Ross and Hatten a look, perhaps tonight when the Clippers play the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center or Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

They are thought to be in a close competition with Tremaine Fowlkes, a holdover from last season, for the last spot on the 15-man regular-season roster.

“They played hard,” Dunleavy said. “They made mistakes, but that’s part of it. You’re going to have to learn from your mistakes. Guys are going to continue to get chances, but they’ve got to learn from their mistakes.”

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Chris Kaman is questionable for tonight’s game, the Clippers said, but Dunleavy said he was hopeful that the rookie center would be able to play.

After overcoming a back injury, Kaman has been slowed by a strained left calf.

“It’s too bad because he was back in the mix; he was doing really well,” Dunleavy said. “Now we’ll have to wait and see.”

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The Clippers continued to await word on whether Glen Rice is interested in playing for them.

The former Laker cleared waivers Wednesday and is a free agent after having his contract bought out by the Utah Jazz.