Los Angeles Lakers News: Former UCLA Star Invited to L.A. Training Camp

An ex-UCLA star has been invited to Lakers training camp.

Reeves Nelson has been given a shot to make the team, after playing for Los Angeles in the Las Vegas summer league. He averaged four points and 5.3 rebounds per game for L.A.

The invitation doesn't guarantee Nelson a roster spot. He is set to sign a one-year contract worth approximately $700,000 that is not guaranteed.

Nelson was considered one of the top NBA prospects when he was in college. He averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest in the 2010-11 season, and was expected to be drafted in the first round. However, he wasn't taken in either round of the 2012 draft after being kicked off the UCLA team in December. He played six games in 2011.

A Sports Illustrated article alleged that Nelson treated his teammates poorly, citing specific instances of him getting into fights and injuring other players on purpose. He has denied the report, and filed a $10 million lawsuit against the magazine.

Despite his troubles, Nelson is looking to join one of the better teams in the league.

"I'm very grateful," said Nelson. "It's nice because I'm pretty sure that virtually no one thought I could get this far, so it's pretty gratifying."

After being kicked off the Bruins squad, Nelson signed with BC Zalgiris in Lithuania. He played just six games overseas, averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10 minutes per contest.

He could provide some depth at the small forward position, where the Lakers are not very deep. Behind starter Metta World Peace, Devin Ebanks is the only small forward on the L.A. roster. In two seasons, Ebanks has played 44 games, averaging 3.6 points per game.

Los Angeles made a few moves in the offseason that has many people picking them to win the NBA Finals. The Lakers traded for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, adding two more potential All-Stars to a lineup that includes Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.