Former IU star on Pacers summer league roster

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Pacers summer league team is headed to Orlando with former I-U star Christian Watford on the roster for the 2nd time in three years.

Watford, best known for his 2011 game-winning last second three-pointer to beat Kentucky says he’s a completely different player now that he spent time in the NBA D-league, as well as overseas in Israel. He likes the opportunity, especially in Indiana.

“Any time you can be a part of this, Indiana and stuff like that,” said Watford,”It’s always going to be big for me coming from playing at IU. You know you gotta be confident in your ability, like I said that’s what you do out here. You know, I feel more comfortable and confident in my game now than, you know I did two years ago for sure.”

Watford, along with former Purdue guard Jon Octeus are the only two playes on the summer roster with Hoosier ties, and both know what they need to do to get noticed.

You gotta come out, be an energy guy, play with high energy you know and go and try to be a difference maker like try to do something that a lot of people isn’t doing,” added Watford. “You know, after playing two years a professional you get you know accustomed to you know situations like these and you know not so much when you first come out of school you kind of, you know, so much going on you kind of like a deer in a headlights kind of, kind of look but you know I’m very comfortable out here now.”

The team opens its five-game summer schedule Saturday against Miami.