Aug. 18, 2006
By Mark Lazerus / Post-Tribune deputy sports editor
When agent Steve Moeller received a phone call from Boot Tony, the head coach of the Netherlands’ Hanzevast Capitals, asking him about Dan Oppland’s toughness, Moeller could only laugh.
“He said, 'I’m a tough coach. A real tough coach. Is he going to be OK with that?’ ” Moeller recalled. “I told him, 'Dan loves guys like you. I know what kind of a kid he is. He’s a winner. And if you told him to go stand out in the rain and not move until you got back, if you came back tomorrow he’d still be there. That’s just the kind of kid he is.’ ”
That’s all the coach needed to hear.
Oppland, a 6-foot-8 forward who enjoyed one of the most prolific careers in Valparaiso University history, signed a one-year contract to play professionally for the Hanzevast Capitals in Groningen this season. He’ll play in the top league in the Netherlands, and if his team is successful enough, also will play in the elite European League.
“It’s a wonderful spot for him to start out,” Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said. “There are several other Americans on the team, so it’ll be a great adjustment time for him.”
Moeller declined to offer specifics, but said Oppland received a “very good deal.” If Oppland plays well and proves himself capable, he can perhaps move up in the European ranks to a team in Spain, Italy, Greece or France, leagues which typically offer much higher salaries.
Oppland, a three-year All-Mid-Continent Conference selection, averaged 19.8 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior at Valparaiso.
“European teams expect the Americans to be the leaders on and off the court,” Moeller said. “They expect them to put up the numbers. So if Dan does that, then next year he’s looking at a lot more money.”
Oppland was hoping to latch on to an NBA summer league, but two leads fell through.
“Two NBA teams flat-out lied to me,” Moeller said.
The process of finding a team was a little tougher for Oppland, who couldn’t take advantage of a terrific opportunity when he participated in the prestigious Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament in April. Oppland found himself on a team loaded with top-tier guards and rarely saw the ball. That prevented him from getting the necessary exposure to get an invitation to the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla.
But Moeller said he received a few offers from European teams, and settled on the Capitals, which offered the best situation.
Drew has seen the level of play in the Netherlands on his many overseas recruiting trips, and said the level of play is “excellent.”
Contact Mark Lazerus at 648-3140 or mlazerus@post-trib.com
Oppland going Dutch--The NWI Times
ORU women release 2006-07 schedule--The Tulsa World
Former Crusader Dan Oppland Signs Professional Contract--www.valpo.edu
Valpo Women’s Basketball Adds Greg Kirby to Coaching Staff--www.valpo.edu
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