Every year, millions of people travel to Las Vegas attempting win fortunes and make their dreams come true.

For former Valparaiso men's basketball player Ron Howard, his latest trip to Vegas is a dream-fulfilling mission as he's trying to earn a paycheck on the hardwood.

The 2006 VU graduate is participating in the NBA Summer League with the New York Knicks, with hopes of earning a roster spot on one of the most-maligned teams in the NBA.

"This is a great experience for me, especially playing for coach (Mike) D'Antoni," Howard said. "He is the perfect type of coach for the type of player that I am and I couldn't ask for a better opportunity."

Howard has bounced around in his playing career after Valparaiso, including a short stint with the Gary Steelheads and a journey to China with the Milwaukee Bucks last October. Where the Chicago native has done his best work has been in the NBA Developmental League as he has starred with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for the last two seasons.

After averaging 11.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 2007-08, Howard jumped his numbers to 18.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season and earned his first trip to the NBA Summer League.

"The D-League is just underneath the NBA, and everything else takes a huge step back," Howard said. "There are extremely talented players every night and you have to play strong every game."

Howard played at Valparaiso for three years after transferring from Marquette after his freshman season. He still calls Chicago home, although he wouldn't mind moving to New York.

During his first game with the Knicks on July 14, Howard came out on the floor with the starters and had 11 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds and two steals. The next night, Howard never got off the bench.

"We have a bunch of guys here, and the second game they played some guys they didn't play in the first game," Howard said. "The coaching staff is just trying to give everyone an opportunity and I'm not down about that.

"Don't worry; I didn't miss curfew or anything."

Howard will play three more games with the Knicks over the weekend, and he is hoping for a chance to get invited to training camp in the fall, if not with the Knicks, then with another team. If the call comes that he has been cut, Howard will keep trying to make his NBA dream come true.

"I'll definitely be disappointed to get that phone call, but then I'll pick up everything and move forward," Howard said. "You can't get discouraged. If I was the type of person to get discourage, I wouldn't be here with this opportunity today."

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The Ron Howard file

2006 Valparaiso graduate

Participating with New York Knicks summer league team

Averaged 18.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg with Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBDL) in 2008-09