A host of GMs and scouts showed up at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando, but William Avery -- eager to audition for them -- remained planted on the bench. Despite the DNP-CD in the Orlando Pro League game, the former Duke star left the gym with a smile and a promise: "Come back tomorrow, and I won't disappoint you."

Avery was as good as his word. The next day, he dropped in 25 points, nailing 5 of 5 from downtown. It was an important step for Avery, who's looking for a job this summer after Minnesota declined to pick up the $1.5M, fourth-year option on its former first-round pick. Avery signed on with both the Heat and Jazz summer league teams, hoping to attract interest in his point guard skills.

	Avery hopes to be taking the ball to the hoop with another team next season.

The Wolves saw Avery as their future when they took him 14th overall in 1999. But while the four PGs taken before him -- Steve Francis, Baron Davis, Andre Miller and Jason Terry -- succeeded, Avery simply sat. His 1,205 career minutes ranks last among the 24 first-rounders from '99 who were on rosters for three full seasons. Worse, his minutes dropped each season (484, 463, 258).

The Wolves came to doubt that the 6'2'' Avery could shoot effectively (33% in three years in Minnesota, 25.5% from three-point range), or run a team. When Terrell Brandon suffered a season-ending injury, SG Felipe Lopez backed up Chauncey Billups at the point. "The most frustrating experience of my life," Avery says, "was to sit on the bench for three years and not get a chance to play."

Sitting was something new for Avery, who starred alongside Elton Brand and Corey Maggette for the 1999 Duke team that went 37-2 and lost to UConn in the NCAA final. He averaged 14.9 ppg, shooting 48.3% (41% from the arc), then -- against Coach K's advice -- declared for the draft at 19. At 22, he's starting over.

Right now, GMs are taking a wait-and-see approach. "No one's really seen him play in a while," says Pistons president Joe Dumars, who signed Billups to fill his point guard needs, "but he's showing he can still shoot."

Avery says he'd still leave early if he had to do it all over again: "First round, guaranteed money, and my family is comfortable and living well. Why should I have regrets?"

But Avery knows he faces an uphill battle: "It's hard having to prove myself again, but I'm determined to show that I can play."

This article appears in the August 5 issue of ESPN The Magazine.