July 12, 2002

The Cleveland Cavaliers have invited former Viking standout Theo Dixon to play in one of the NBA's summer leagues, the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City starting next week.

Dixon is among the free agents, rookies and second-year players who will make up the Cavs' squad for the summer league that includes eight other teams.

Dixon will join Cavs' first-round pick Dajuan Wagner (Memphis), second-round pick Carlos Boozer (Duke), UCLA's Matt Barnes (picked up in a draft-day trade with Memphis) and second-year center DeSagana Diop along with free agents Lubos Barton (Valparaiso), Adam Harrington (Auburn), Lonnie Jones (Ball State), Sean Kennedy (Marist), Andre Laws (San Diego) and Paul Shirley (Iowa State).

This is the second straight year the Cavs will participate in the summer league in Salt Lake City. None of the Cavs' free agent from last year's summer league were invited to preseason camp.

"This is an opportunity I have to take advantage of and show Cleveland (the Cavaliers) what I'm all about," said Dixon. "I'm aware of the odds against me but I'm unbelievably determined and I'm ready for the challenge."

Dixon averaged 13.4 ppg and 5.0 rpg for his career at Cleveland State. He finished fifth all-time in career scoring with 1,572 points and is one of just nine Vikings in school history to score over 1,000 points and grab more than 500 rebounds (594).

The 6-6 swingman was named second-team all-Horizon League in 2001-02 after averaging 14.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg and ranking among league leaders in those categories as well as steals, free throw percentage and blocked shots. As a junior, Dixon was named first-team all-league after putting up 18.0 ppg and grabbing 4.8 rpg. During 2000-01, he equaled the CSU season record for 3-point field goals made with 70.

The Cavaliers will open on July 19 against Phoenix in the first of six games. The game against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 23 will be aired on ESPN at 2 p.m.