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For years Anthony Kent dreamt of playing in the NBA, putting hours of work in each day to make it a reality.
Dec. 7, 2008, he stood on the sideline of a basketball court that resembled an NBA floor. There was a regulation 3-point arc, a shot clock set to 24 seconds and NBA logos on his shorts.
But his jersey reminded him he hadn't reached his goal. It read "Mad Ants" across his chest, the nickname of Fort Wayne's NBA Development League team.
Two years after his playing days at Ball State University, Kent is the closest he's ever been to making his dream a reality. But he's not thinking about that right now. He's determined to not waste the opportunity he has been given.
"I'm not even worried about [the NBA]," Kent said. "I'm focused on what's going on right here, right now."
Kent got his first start Friday against Erie. The center tied a season high with six points and grabbed three rebounds in 16 minutes.
"I was kind of surprised when coach told me I'd be starting," Kent said. "I think he's just trying to find the best five players because we're scrambling to find what works and what doesn't."
The D-League is another step closer to the NBA for Kent. The Fort Wayne Coliseum, the Mad Ants' home, isn't as palatial as Conseco Fieldhouse, but many of the diversions are the same. Throughout the game a giant, red ant mascot roamed through the sparse crowd. When the muscled insect wasn't on the court during timeouts, Fort Wayne's dance team was. The arena combined the charm of the minor leagues with the showtime atmosphere of the big time. But the D-League isn't too far removed from the college atmosphere Kent experienced in Muncie.
Kent arrived at Ball State in 2003, after playing one season at both Columbus State University and the College of Wooster. Due to NCAA transfer rules he sat out the 2003-04 season. In his two seasons on the court for the Cardinals, Kent averaged 2.27 points and two rebounds.
Those statistics don't put Kent in the Cardinal elite, but former coach Tim Buckley liked the raw talent he saw in his player.
"I definitely thought he could play after college," Buckley said. "It was just a matter of how much he grew as a player."
After leaving Ball State, Kent spent two years playing in Bordeaux, France, before trying out for the Mad Ants.
"The D-League is a great opportunity to showcase my skills," Kent said. "It was my chance to be better known."
Ft. Wayne coach Jaren Jackson said Kent was invited to the tryout as a part of a league initiative to have more local players on each team.
"We identified a number of players in the same situation," Jackson said. "He earned his keep once he got here."
The Mad Ants roster also includes former players from Valparaiso University and IPFW, but Jackson said Kent was the only former Cardinal invited to tryouts.
Once in training camp, Jackson said he liked Kent's height and energy.
"He has good size, long arms," Jackson said. "I was impressed; he has a lot of skill that hasn't been harnessed. I was open to working with him given his potential."
But ultimately those assets weren't enough to keep from falling victim to what Jackson described as a numbers game at the final cut. The Mad Ants only had room for four centers or power forwards on their 10-man roster, and Kent was the odd man out.
"They told me it was numbers," Kent said. "They liked everything I did. I just kept my head up waiting for a call."
That call would come a week later, and the 6-11 Kent was back in the game.
"I was so excited," Kent said. "It's an opportunity to really do something and a path I really wanted to take."
Kent scored two points and grabbed six rebounds against Albuquerque in his debut. He also had a good showing on defense with one blocked shot.
"He played very hard," Jackson said. "He competed on the defensive end and had a lot of energy."
Learning about hard work is something Kent credits to Buckley's coaching.
"Ball State made me tougher," Kent said. "It taught me how to work hard. Coach Buckley gets a lot of credit. There are things you don't get to learn in high school or junior college."
Buckley said Kent's attitude is one of his biggest assets.
"He had a mentality that he wanted to get better and keep improving," he said. "He's always been somebody that's been in the gym and worked on his game."
The work Kent has continued to put into his game has led to some success in Ft. Wayne. Since his debut against Albuquerque in December, Kent has played in all 12 of the Mad Ants' games, averaging 2.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 11 minutes.
The chance to play a little more than an hour from Muncie was something that attracted Kent to the Mad Ants. He has already noticed some Ball State fans in Ft. Wayne.
"I talk to one BSU alum every home game," he said. "He cheers for me pretty loud every time I get in the game. A lot of people tell me they're from Muncie."
Jackson said he hopes fans support Kent as he reaches for his goal. Last season two players were called up to NBA teams, where they have stayed.
The Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers are all affiliated with the Mad Ants and can call players up. George David, director of player personnel for the Pistons, said he had seen Kent play, but didn't want to comment on any individual player's NBA potential.
"We're looking for guys that bring extreme toughness or extreme skill, as well as good character guys," David said.
For now, Jackson is pleased his player is working hard for the Mad Ants.
"I don't know if the NBA is going to come calling," Jackson said. "Right now he's just working to be the best he can in the D-League."
Recently Kent had a chance to play with NBA players Alex Acker and Walter Sharpe when the Pistons sent them down for a few games. After seeing them play, Kent said he is more motivated to keep working hard to reach the NBA.
"I felt I wasn't that far off from them," Kent said. "They're great players. They're athletic and they work hard. As you continue to work, you can be just like them."
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