Transition Smooth For Haywood After Summer Changes

Senior Writer

WILMINGTON -- North Carolina's all-time shot-blocking leader didn't leave his comfort zone in Chapel Hill until he had to.

Brendan Haywood, who graduated in May, attended the University's Fall Fest in August.

The day before Labor Day, Haywood finally departed his former home at Kensington Trace off Weaver Dairy Road. In a trash can in the parking lot, he left behind a pair of old tennis shoes to go lace 'em up for the NBA.

"I threw out a lot of stuff," Haywood said. "I was trying to move."

Haywood has done quite a bit of moving already since the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him with the 20th pick June 27.

The Cavs quickly traded his draft rights to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Michael Doleac. On Aug. 1, the center-heavy Magic sent him to the shorter Washington Wizards for Laron Profit and a future first-round pick.

"At first I was a little disappointed because I thought Orlando had a good chance to make it to the championship," Haywood said after Friday's Wizards practice in Trask Coliseum. "But then I looked at the minutes situation, and I probably wouldn't have played as much in Orlando. But I'll have an opportunity to get some minutes here."

Haywood, at 7 feet and 268 pounds, stands taller than any other Wizard and has received praise in the first week of training camp. Fourth-year player Jahidi White (6-9, 290 pounds) and 19-year-old rookie Kwame Brown (6-11, 240 pounds) will compete for time.

"Brendan knows how to play, and he's tall, and he can block shots, and he's in good shape," Wizards coach Doug Collins said. "If you can get him the ball around the paint, he's got an excellent jump hook. To me, the one weakness that he has shown in camp is that he has not rebounded the ball well."

Haywood said rebounds should come with experience.

"I tend to let guys push me under," he said. "That's where I have to get lower, establish a base and move guys out and fight for that board. That's just things that come with learning the game and being in the NBA for a long time. These veterans, you know, have these veteran tricks, and they get me underneath the boards. So I just need to see what they do and learn from it."

Surrounded by former Tar Heels in Wilmington, Haywood feels comfortable despite his quiet demeanor. Michael Jordan and Hubert Davis also are on the roster. Dean Smith and Pat Sullivan, now a UNC-W assistant coach, observed practice from the corner of the gym.

"It's fun. If I didn't go to Duke, I would've went to Carolina," Wizards forward Christian Laettner said. "So the more Carolina guys you've got on your team, usually the better your team is. It's good to play with those guys, and it's good to see the old Carolina coaches here. Great tradition."

Haywood's experience at UNC has helped make him a quick asset.

"People underestimate the importance that Brendan can bring to us," said Jordan, whom Haywood calls Mike. "He's a four-year guy. He knows how to play. He comes from a great system.

"His inside presence has been a pleasant surprise for us."

The grueling NBA practices have been a bit of a surprise to Haywood's body. The Wizards have been running twice a day since Tuesday except Friday and Sunday.

"So far it's been a little more draining because it's the first time I've ever been through two-a-days," Haywood said. "You really start to feel it in that second practice toward the end of the last scrimmage. It's basically a gut check because most of the time I'm just real, real tired."

Haywood already is taking a cue from veterans so that no matter how many times he changes teams, he won't move out of the NBA for a long time.

"That's just preventive methods so I can stay in the league as long as Pat Ewing," said Haywood with ice bags taped to both knees below his UNC shorts. "He's been there for like 15 or so. He's always got his iced, so I've got mine, too. I'm trying to get some longevity."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.