He looks out of place, for a moment at least, based on his size. There’s a name for someone 5-foot-9 on an NBA court: trainer. Or ballboy. Or referee. Players aren’t supposed to be wrapped in such a package.
Such is the battle Brian Chase has waged for, oh, every season of his life. But here’s the thing about the Dunbar graduate: He keeps beating his, for lack of a better word, shortcomings.
Chase is trying to do so once again with the Wizards, with whom he’ll play in the Las Vegas Summer League starting tonight.
“My whole career has been a struggle,” Chase said. “A lot of people write me off initially because of my size.”
But Chase keeps proving he’s deserving of at least a look. He showed why in the Wizards initial workout Saturday. First, in one-on-one and then five-on-five workouts he stripped his man of the ball at least three times with ultra-quick hands.
Once, coach Eddie Jordan had him defend 6-foot-7 Leon Rodgers in a post-up drill. Rodgers backed him inside, where Chase drew a charge.
“He played such great defense against those mid-sized guys,” Jordan said. “We don’t look at a guy’s size. We’re pulling for him.”
Chase landed on Utah’s roster for the first seven games last season, but did not play.
“When I made the roster, no one expected me to get there,” said Chase, who earned his degree in human services from Virginia Tech in 2003. “That was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. When I was cut, I was disappointed but very appreciative because it took me a long time to get there. It didn’t discourage me one bit.”
Chase earned a tryout here based in part on his relationship with Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. The two often work out together and Arenas plays on several area summer teams with Chase.
And his quick hands and outside shot — he was a career 40.9 percent three-point shooter in college — also helped. He also knows the success of a player such as 5-foot-5 Earl Boykins, a free agent this summer, helps his cause. Not that Chase would change anything.
“I’ve always had to defend myself, whether by my play or as a person,” Chase said. “But I love my size; it makes me work that much harder. It’s made me the individual I am and the player I am.
“I’ve had parents come up with their kids and say, ‘He’s not that big; if he can do it, you can do it.’ It’s a beautiful thing.”
Chasing a spot
» Chase has played in the American Basketball Association, the U.S. Basketball League and the NBA Developmental League. Last season, he averaged 16.7 points for the Los Angeles D-fenders of the NBDL.
» The Wizards play Sacramento in their first game of the Las Vegas Summer League today. The game will be broadcast on tape delay on Comcast SportsNet at 8 p.m.
» Chase is the shortest player on the Wizards’ summer roster by five inches. The tallest? Shagari Alleyne, a 7-foot-3 center who played collegiately at Manhattan.
