Ronnie Aguilar Hopes to Make Lakers’ Roster
The Lakers had just finished their first practice of the season and, one by one, all the big names disappeared into the locker room.
Steve Nash. Dwight Howard. Even Kobe Bryant, who ranks among the hardest workers in the game.
Only one man remained on court after they had gone. His body stretching to a perilous 7 feet 1, his long face framed by black hair and a beard, Ronnie Aguilar shot a steady progression of jump hooks.
“I’m just doing my job,” Aguilar said. “I want to show these guys that I belong.”
The 25-year-old center from Cal State Dominguez Hills had arrived at the team’s training facility with the intention of earning a spot on the roster. He said: “I know how hard I’ve worked to get here.”
Three weeks ago, the Lakers signed him to a short-term contract as a “training camp invitee.” That was the polite term for it. Aguilar and his ilk are also known as “camp fodder.”
From the first day of camp, Aguilar showed up early to stretch, lift weights and shoot on his own. Preparing his body was only part of the challenge.
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