The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

BY GERY WOELFEL

Being the realist he is, Robbie Collum knows he's a long-shot to make the Milwaukee Bucks' roster.

But that still hasn't diminished his desire to play well and make a good impression on the Bucks' coaches and scouts.

Collum, a Racine native, has been practicing with the Bucks' summer league team in St. Francis. And while he isn't expected to travel with the team later this week to Las Vegas for summer league competition, he's nevertheless thankful the Bucks brass has given him an opportunity to showcase his talents.

"I'm very fortunate and grateful to Mr. Hammond, coach Skiles and Dave Babcock,'' Collum said referring to Bucks GM John Hammond,  Bucks coach Scott Skiles and Babcock, the Bucks player personnel director.

"They let me come in here and work out and show them what I can do.''

Collum, a former Western Michigan star who had played in Mexico the last 2 1/2 years, doesn't have the reputation like Bucks top draft choice Brandon Jennings or veteran Salim Stoudamire, both point guards themselves.

But Collum hasn't been intimidated by their reps, either. In fact Collum has matched up reasonably well against both of them.

"Every coach would love to have a guy like Robbie on his team,'' Bucks assistant coach Kelvin Sampson said. "He's a very intelligent player. He has a very high basketball IQ.

"He's one of those guys who could end up having a nice, 10-year career overseas. He's a great kid. He's someone who you really pull for.''

Collum certainly wouldn't object to making some nice coin abroad. And that's why he's been putting his heart and soul into this camp, hoping that someone will recognize his abilities and put in a kind word for him.

"If things don't work out here, fine,'' Collum said. "I"m a realist. I want to use this (camp) as a steppingstone to play overseas or whereever.''

* The Bucks recently played host to restricted free agent Josh Childress, the former Atlanta Hawks small forward who played in Greece last season.

Childress is exploring the possibility of returning to the NBA, although the Hawks still retain his playing rights.

Childress and Stoudamire are good friends, having spent three seasons together in Atlanta. Stoudamire said he'd love having his buddy as a teammate again.

"Not only is he a great player who is willing to do all the little things to help a team win, but he's a good guy, too,'' Stoudamire said. "He's a very honest and caring person.

"It would be a blessing if he came here.''

* Stoudamire on Jennings: "I think he can dribble the ball exceptionally well, he can shoot, he's athletic and he's a good passer as well.

"The biggest thing for him now is staying focused the wole time he's on the floor.''

* Stoudemire sat out the second practice Tuesday after tweaking his  hip flexor.

Another guard, Dominic James, the former Marquette University star, also strained his right knee. He is listed as day-to-day.

* The Bucks could find out Wednesday whether Ersan Ilyasova will sign with them.

Ilyasova, the Bucks' 2005 second-round draft pick, played last season in Spain. A combo forward, Ilyasova is a restricted free agent.

"Maybe Wednesday,'' Tolga Tugsavul, Ilyasova's agent, replied when his client might sign a contract. "We'll know his number on the salary cap. Then we can start negotiations.''

Tugsavul said two other NBA teams and three European teams are courting his client. He declined to reveal the teams.

* While the Bucks are focusing on re-signing starting point guard Ramon Sessions and Ilyasova, they have checked out several other free agents.

Some of those players include Dahntay Jones, who was the Denver Nuggets starting shooting guard last season; swingman Ime Udoka, who started for POrtland three seasons ago and played in 73 agmes for San Antonio last season, and point guard Jannero Pargo, who played six seasons in the NBA before playing for Dynamo Moscow and Olympiacos Piraeuslast season.

Jones is expected to sign within a couple of days with another team, while Udoke and Pargo are still being considered by the Bucks.

* Former Bucks coach and current Dallas assistant Terry Stotts is drawing consideration for the vacant Minnesota Timberwolves.

The T-Wolves are in the preliminary process of finding a coach and have an extensive list of candidates.

Some of the others who have been interviewed or are expected to be interviewed are Portland lead assistant coach Dean Demopoulos, Portland assistant coach Monty Williams, ex-NBA star and current television broadcaster Mark Jackson, Houston assistant coach Elston Turner, ex-Detroit Pistons star Bill Laimbeer, Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw and former NBA head coach Mike Fratello.