For some guys reaching the big show goes faster than for others as former Xavier(NCAA) players Jordan Crawford and Derrick Brown experienced as they reached the NBA right out of school. Crawford played for years in the NBA with teams like Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizzards, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors before moving to China this season racking in the big bucks while Derrick Brown played three seasons for the Charlotte Bobcats before moving to Russia last season balling for Lokomotiv Kuban. For a guy like Jamel Mclean of Xavier(NCAA) like his former teammate Kenny Frease, their resumes haven´t had any NBA teams listed, but instead they have made a steady progress in Europe. Mclean is a 26 year old 203cm forward/center from Brooklyn that is playing his fourth professional season. At Xavier, he played three seasons after playing as a freshman at Tulsa(NCAA) and had solid stats reaching an NCAA Sweet 16 in 201 and as a senior played 31 games averaging 10.6ppg, 8.4rpg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 61.2%. In 2011-2012 he started his professional basketball career and made the trek over the pond and played for Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-D1) playing 36 games averaging 9.3ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 62.8%. In his second season he started the season with Telenet Oostende (Belgium-Ethias League) and in January 2013 moved to the Telekom Baskets Bonn playing 21 games averaging 13.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 65.9%, 6.6rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.6%, FT: 69.6%. In his second season in Bonn he continued to develop while having to play center playing Eurocup playing 10 games averaging 15.5ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 77.3%. In the German League the American played 38 games averaging 13.2ppg, Reb-1(7.7rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.8%. In these one an dhalf seasons, Mclean made a huge jump in his play and 8 time Beko BBL club Alba Berlin recognized his potential and talent and hauled him in for this season. In Bonn, Mclean was able to progress further under the guidance of then head coach Michael Koch. “My Bonn time was great for my development. My first coach Michael Koch just let me play my game which really built my confidence. Last year I had to be an undersized five man and this really gave me strength to expand my game. Playing center at the Eurocup level also helped develop my game, because it showed that I could play against centers in the Eurocup”, stressed Jamel Mclean. This season with Alba Berlin he is the teams leading scorer and rebounder in BBL and Euroleague play. In the BBL he has scored in double figures in 16 games including a 33 point 12 rebound explosion against Phoenix Hagen. He has been just as spectacular in Euroleague play having scored in double figures in 12 of 15 games and showing that consistency could be his middle name. His play has brought along extra attention again from top teams in Europe and ever since his buzzer beater win in preseason in Berlin against the San Antonio Spurs, he is on the list of NBA scouts as well. Getting that invitation to the NBA Summer League could happen this summer. “It would be nice if a team would invite me next season. I believe that I have shown people that I can play at a high level and the NBA is where everybody wants to play at”, warned Jamel Mclean. Even if the NBA doesn´t happen, he will always be able to tell his grand children about the shot. “Beating The San Antonio Spurs was the best game that I have ever played in my career. This is my #1 best game just because of the significance and the amazing atmosphere that was on the court”, warned Jamel Mclean.

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