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Tatum off to San Antonio for tryout

By Todd Hefferman. The Southern

Monday, July 7, 2008 9:11 PM CDT

Jamaal Tatum has another shot at the NBA.

The former Southern Illinois University guard has been invited to try out for the San Antonio Spurs' summer league team, Tatum said Sunday. Tatum, 23, leaves Wednesday for San Antonio to practice with the Spurs. He hopes to land one of two spots open on the Spurs' roster for a point guard. The Spurs will then take their squad to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas later this month.

Tatum played in last year's summer league with the New Jersey Nets before injuring his hamstring. He was drafted by the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, but suffered a high ankle sprain and was waived before competing.

Tatum led the Salukis to a 29-7 finish his senior season. SIU reached the Sweet 16 and set the school record for wins in a single season. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and is still the school's top scorer in NCAA tournament play.