Troy Weaver took one step closer to his dream this summer.

In July, the former Syracuse assistant coach joined the NBA’s Utah Jazz as a scout. After spending four seasons with the Orange, Weaver moved on to the pros, where he hopes to one day become a general manager.

‘I knew I wanted to jump into the pro ranks,’ Weaver said. ‘I came to SU hoping to do it someday. SU’s strong reputation afforded me that opportunity.’

After moving his family back to the Washington, D.C., area where Weaver is originally from, he spent this summer at AAU tournaments and NBA summer leagues across the country.

Weaver, who signed a two-year contract with the Jazz, will scout prospects in college and high school games as well as NBA players who will be upcoming free agents.

The role is nothing new for Weaver, though, who had an eye for talent at SU. During his four years, he was the primary recruiter for Josh Pace, Louie McCroskey, Carmelo Anthony, Billy Edelin and Eric Devendorf, who will join the Orange in 2005.

He was able to recruit Edelin and Anthony through his connections with the D.C. Assault AAU team, where he coached from 1993 to 1996.

In his four seasons at SU, Weaver’s focus was on developing bigger players such as Damone Brown, Preston Shumpert and, most recently, Anthony and Hakim Warrick. Weaver said he misses being around the SU players on a daily basis, but he is excited for his new job.

‘I was happy for him,’ Warrick said. ‘It’s kind of tough, but I’m glad we got a chance to know each other. I wish him the best.’

Weaver said he believes the Orange is a Final Four contender for the upcoming season and that it’s SU’s deepest team since 2000. As for Warrick, the Jazz will definitely be keeping an eye on him this season.

‘I saw a lot of growth in him at the end of last season,’ Weaver said. ‘If he continues to grow into a leadership role, we’ll consider drafting him without a doubt.’

Weaver’s first trip this fall will be south to North Carolina. Weaver plans to visit training camps at Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, NC State and Charlotte starting on Oct. 17. He also has plans to see the Orange play Oklahoma State in the Jimmy V. Classic on Dec. 7 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and he hopes to come to the Carrier Dome for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in November.

At SU, head coach Jim Boeheim wasted no time hiring a new assistant coach. Rob Murphy, an assistant from Kent State, took Weaver’s spot immediately after he left.

Boeheim said Weaver has the qualities to be successful in the pro ranks.

‘He’s always liked the NBA,’ Boeheim said. ‘He’s a hard worker, he relates well with people and he’s an outstanding person. We’re losing a great coach.’

Ever since the Orange scored Michigan combo guard Eric Devendorf in July, all the talk has been about him. With a top-15 commitment on the books, it’s easy to forget about the Orange’s other 2005 commitment, Tiki Mayben.

Mayben’s AAU coach Jim Hart believes that he has the talent to recapture some of the hype, though. After spending part of his junior season at Winchendon Prep school in Massachusetts, Mayben will return to Troy High School to finish his high school career.

‘He’s very noticeable on the basketball court,’ Hart said. ‘The big men love playing with Tiki because he is a pass-first guy.’

Mayben, who was kicked off the Troy team in his sophomore season, quit at Troy in the middle of his junior season to transfer to Winchendon. He averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game as a junior.

‘Basketball-wise he has never been in question,’ Hart said. ‘He has great speed and explosiveness.’

The Orange coaching staff has its heart set on one more recruit for 2005. Whether the feeling is mutual remains to be seen, though.

Marcus Johnson, a 6-foot-6 wing from Los Angeles, visited Connecticut last week, the second of his three official visits this fall. He expects to make an announcement soon for his college plans, possibly before his scheduled trip to Syracuse in early October.

‘He wants to decide early,’ said Ed Azzam, Johnson’s coach at Westchester High School, ‘hopefully before the November signing period.’

Johnson averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals per game as a junior. He is a hard-working defender and his athleticism and size make him one of the best finishers in his class.

‘He’s playing with a lot of confidence,’ Azzam said. ‘He will make a big impact as a freshman. He has improved his shot, that’s the one thing he needs to work on.’

Published on September 21, 2004 at 12:00 pm