What’s next for ex-Hawkeye Jarrod Uthoff?

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Verizon Center in downtown Washington was nearly empty Friday morning, making it easy to hear the sounds emanating from the main basketball floor.

There was the squeak of tennis shoes on the hardwood, the bouncing of basketballs and the piercing whistles of coaches with the Toronto Raptors during a shoot-around practice before the final preseason game later in the day against the Washington Wizards.

Marengo native and Cedar Rapids Jefferson graduate Jarrod Uthoff, 23, the former University of Iowa All-American, will certainly be part of that pro hoops atmosphere somewhere this winter.

But the big question for the professional rookie is where?

The Raptors, like other NBA teams, need to turn in their opening day roster on Monday and it appears likely Uthoff, a 6-foot-9 forward, will not be included. The Raptors open the season at home Wednesday against Detroit.

So will it be a long shot if he makes it?

'It will be,' Toronto head coach Dwane Casey said Friday morning.

But Casey emphasized the Raptors would love for Uthoff to be part of their D-League team based in suburban Toronto. He played in one of the first six preseason games and did not score.

'He has so many good qualities,' said Casey, whose team lost in the Eastern Conference finals last season to eventual champion Cleveland. 'He is a big-time scorer. He has to get used to the speed of the NBA. We want him on our D-League team. That is our goal.'

But Uthoff could head overseas, perhaps to Europe, and make more money. One advantage to being in the D-League is a player is just a few hours away in case an NBA team needs to add to its roster quickly.

'We will cross that path when we get to it,' said Uthoff, leaning against a wall outside of the Raptors locker room Friday. 'I really don't know. It is a tough decision for any player. My agent will definitely guide me in the best direction. In the end it is my decision. He will be a good guide.'

Uthoff has former Iowa teammates who played overseas, though that doesn't necessarily sway which way he leans.

'Some went over for a year and were done,' Uthoff said.

No matter the next step Uthoff said he has learned a lot being in camp with the Raptors.

'It has been a great learning experience for me to get accustomed to the NBA style of play, offensively and defensively,' he said. 'Just trying to get better from every experience. I look at this as a learning opportunity and an opportunity to get better. No matter what happens I have gotten better. I have learned a lot of things. That is how I look at things.'

Uthoff, who was not drafted by an NBA team, did a little bit of everything last season as an all-Big Ten performer for Iowa. He started all 33 games and averaged a team-high 18.9 points while playing 31.5 minutes per game. He averaged 6.3 rebounds per and also had 86 blocks and 36 assists.

One of the assistant coaches for the Raptors is Nick Nurse, who played at Northern Iowa.

'We have talked about Iowa once in awhile,' Uthoff said. 'The coaching staff has been great.'

But it appears Uthoff may not be around Nurse much longer.

'It is a different game' from college, said Uthoff, noting the extended 3-point line. 'There are different defensive schemes and different offensive schemes. The biggest thing is to try and take advantage of the small opportunities that you get.'

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