For rookies, buying in to bulk the key
Team’s offseason turns to making weight gains with prospects Alexander, Okpala
MIAMI – If the theme for the first half of the offseason for the Miami Heat was weight loss, then the theme of the second half could well be weight gain.
For undrafted rookie forward Kyle it practically is a mandate.
For second-round pick KZ Okpala, comes down to a basketball decision.
With the Heat’s conditioning staff, based on social-media posts by Dion Waiters, seemingly having achieved their slimming success with the veteran guard, bulking up elsewhere on the roster appears to be the next target.
For Alexander, who is coming off strong summer-league showings for the Heat in Alexander, it Heat prospect Kyle Alexander is
Sacramento and Las Vegas, significant gains are the goal.
“I think a part of my game that everybody knows I need to get better is just getting stronger, putting weight on,” he said. “So definitely trying to get to a strong weight, where in training camp I can not only get better myself, but help those guys get better, because you’re preparing for a season.
“I want to be a part of this team one day, so hopefully helping them get better at training camp and providing a good body out there to really go to work.”
Alexander, listed at 6 feet 11, 220 pounds by the Heat when he arrived to summer camp undrafted out of Tennessee, said he has ranged
Heat.
The goal he has been given is 240.
“I feel like that’s a good weight where I could definitely hold my own against anybody,” he said. “Because, I mean I was 220, 215 all of college, and I was guarding guys 250, 255 and held my own. I feel like if I could get to 240, it’s a good weight, because I could still run and do everything I want to do.
“I’ve definitely been able to put on weight since I left college, no knock on Tennessee or anything, just different lifestyle. Defibetween 223 to 225 with the
nitely, I’ve put on some weight, like five pounds. But definitely looking to put on some more.”
Then there is equally wiry Okpala, the No. 32 pick in June, who is listed by the Heat at 6-9, 210. With a bit more bulk, he could enhance his chances of playing time, with action at small forward and power forward possible, as was the case at Stanford.
“For sure,” the 20-year-old said of adding muscle to his frame. “Do it in a healthy way. But just lean muscle is the main point, being able to put weight on my body so I can endure more.”
Okpala said he succeeded to a degree in bulking up in college.
“Maybe my offseason from freshman to sophomore, but not too much,” he said.
Although the Heat appear deeper at power forward than small forward, Okpala appreciates Erik Spoelstra’s preference for versatility.
“I think naturally I’m more of a three, perimeter, slasher for sure,” he said. “But I think position-less basketball is what the NBA has come to, so just being as versatile as possible.”
For both Alexander and Okpala, the bulk ultimately might be added with the Heat’s G League affiliate. Alexander holds an Exhibit 10 contract, which could have him with the Sioux Falls Skyforce if he is cut at the end of camp. Okpala, who has a guaranteed NBA contract, could find himself assigned in order to gain court time.
“I trust the staff,” Okpala said, “whatever they say is best. And I’ll go into it with a good foot forward.”