PLAYER NEWS:
--F Jeff Pendergraph signed with the Trail Blazers on Sept. 8, one day before he was scheduled for left hip surgery. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Pendergraph's status for the upcoming season will not be known until sometime after his surgery. The rookie forward averaged 14.5 points per game at Arizona State as a senior. --G Brandon Roy was among those taking part in informal pickup games at the Blazers' practice facility this week, along with teammates C Greg Oden, G Steve Blake and G Jerryd Bayless.
--C Greg Oden said he played golf for the third time ever in a benefit to pay tribute to boyhood best friends Travis Smith, who died in a car accident in 2007. "I (was) worse than anybody who ever played golf," Oden joked.
--Mike Born, the Blazers' director of scouting, is taking part in the NBA's "Basketball Without Borders" program in Africa. Born is part of a contingent that includes Dikembe Mutombo, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki.
DRAFT PICKS:
Victor Clavert, F, 6-9, Spain (first round) -- Blazers have no room on their 2009-10 roster for the 20-year-old prospect, who will remain playing professionally in Spain for at least another season.
Jeff Pendergraph, F, 6-9, Arizona State (second round) -- With Channing Frye leaving for Phoenix, Pendergraph could have excellent shot at making the club next season.
Dante Cunningham, F, 6-9, Villanova (second round) -- He'll get a shot to battle Pendergraph for a spot in the Blazers' roster.
Patty Mills, G, 6-0, St. Mary's (second round) -- Blazers expected him to go much higher than No. 55; could earn the No. 3 point guard position.
