DeKALB | Former NIU men’s basketball guard Xavier Silas will have to wait to have his shot to become an NBA player due to an NBA lockout.

But he will get his chance, as he received an official invite to attend the Philadelphia 76ers veterans’ camp.

Silas went undrafted in the NBA Draft that took place on June 23. Shortly after the draft, the Austin, Texas native was invited to participate in camp with the 76ers, according to Silas’ Twitter account. The NBA lockout forbids teams to contact any of the players in the league, leaving Silas to train on his own until the lockout is lifted.

Along with the 76ers, the 2010-11 All-MAC First Team recipient had Pre-Draft workouts with the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Golden State Warriors in the month of June alone, according to an article from Philly Hoops Talk.

Before the draft, Silas trained at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas, Nev. and is currently training with Sundance Wicks, former NIU basketball assistant coach, until the lockout is over.

“[Wicks] will be doing my strength and conditioning and skill work in Austin, Texas,” Silas said.

The Brewster Academy High School graduate also trained with Wicks during his time at NIU to prepare for his NBA career.

Before the lockout officially went into effect a week ago, Silas said the 76ers got a hold of him and recommended he not play overseas while the lockout is in place. Silas said Philadelphia told him he “had a legitimate shot at making their team and competing for a roster spot.”

Wicks said Silas has become very professional through the NBA draft process.

“I think he’s heightened his maturity level to a point now where he’s such a professional in the way he goes about his daily routine,” Wicks said. “He knows what he’s getting accomplished every day.”

Silas has been training in his hometown of Austin with Wicks along with some players who play overseas.

After Silas finishes his training in Texas, he plans on going back to Las Vegas to train at Impact. Wicks said Impact is where most NBA players will go to train during the lockout.

Wicks said he has coached many basketball players since he’s been an assistant coach since 2004 with Northern State, the University of Colorado, and NIU, but Silas stands out.

“[Silas] is the hardest worker I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Hands down I have not seen anybody work harder than Xavier Silas, which gives him an advantage.”