Jason Terry is playing basketball on the world's highest stage this week, and there's no doubt his former UA roommate would like to join him.
But A.J. Bramlett also sees a bigger picture. Bramlett, the starting center for the UA's 1997 national championship team, who may play in the Tucson Summer Pro League that kicks off tonight, has spent the past six seasons playing in Spain. He's realized his quality of life is not that bad.
By basketball standards, in fact, it cannot be beat. Bramlett's contracts in Spain have included homes, cars, good salaries and a schedule that NBA players would envy. Typically, Bramlett plays two games per week, traveling every other week.
His experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he arrived as a second-round draft pick in 1999 and played half a season, is behind him.
"It would have been nice to play in the NBA for a long time," Bramlett said. "There are positives and negatives. But I've found a great home over there in Spain and nice time with my family. I get a lot of time to spend at home."
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These days, that's important. Bramlett and his wife, Kirsty, had their first child in October while in Seville.
They are not sure yet whether 7-month-old Daylen will be bilingual, but there's a pretty good chance once he starts talking. Maybe he'll even be trilingual.
Bramlett said he is shopping around this summer for next season, figuring he may even land in Italy or somewhere else in Spain. So far, he spent one season with Filatelico Valladolid, four with Plus Pujol Lleida, and the last one with CSF Sevilla.
While Bramlett said the beauty and weather in Seville was nice, he said his four years in Lleida were probably the most fun because of passionate fans, teammates he came to know well, and the city is just over an hour outside of Barcelona.
"The fans were great," Bramlett said. "We had a sellout every game, even when we weren't playing well. It was great to play there."
Then again, the easygoing Bramlett has the ability to be happy just about anywhere. He even says the few months he spent in La Crosse, Wis., in the CBA, after leaving the Cavaliers in 1999, were pleasant.
"We weren't making any money then, but it was fun," Bramlett said. "For the short time that I was there, it was a good time."
Eventually, Bramlett said he probably will settle down in Tucson, where a growing number of former Wildcats make their permanent homes. He plans to stay in Tucson during the off-season, and likely will play in the Summer Pro League once he signs a deal for next season, he said.
One of his summer highlights so far: Seeing Terry and the Dallas Mavericks in person for Game 6 of their Western Conference finals against the Phoenix Suns.
"He's a great player," Bramlett said of Terry. "It's hard to get into a better situation than that."
Rim shots
● UA associate head coach Jim Rosborough said Thursday he expects Mustafa Shakur to wait until Sunday's deadline to decide whether he will stay in the NBA draft pool or return to the UA. "I don't really have an idea, either," Rosborough said.
● Former UA guard Chris Rodgers has worked out with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets so far, according to his agent, Chicago-based Tim Hicks. "He's a lockdown defender who can shoot the ball," Hicks said. "Denver can use a bigger guard. With some of the teams that it's a possibility to go to, it would be a perfect fit for what he brings to the table." Hicks is attempting to arrange workouts for the Heat, Sonics and Bobcats.
● Terry's mother, Andrea Cheatham, is attending the NBA Finals despite serious battles with anemia, congestive heart problems and hypertension. According to the Seattle Times, she had a heart procedure last month and is scheduled to receive six weeks of hospital treatment after the series. "I've already prayed for her health," Terry told the Times. "I think the best remedy for her health right now is to be here at the games. She can just sit back and watch the games and be in the arena. That's what she likes best anyway."
