La Salle's Steve Zack Enjoying Run In Vegas With Sixers

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Most of the attention on the Sixers team in the Las Vegas Summer League has been focused on top draft pick Jahlil Okafor. But there are other young players on the team trying to make a name for themselves, including one that college basketball fans in the city are probably pretty familiar with.

Center Steve Zack enjoyed a very good career at La Salle University, playing in 123 games during his four years with the Explorers, averaging 6.3 points and 6.9 rebounds a game while blocking 169 shots. He had a pre-draft workout for the Sixers, got an invite to their Vegas mini-camp and then a spot on the Vegas squad.

"I think (things) are going real well so far," Zack tells KYW Newsradio. "I've been given the opportunity to showcase my talents on a national level and I've been feeling good about myself."

Listen: Steve Zack with KYW's Matt Leon

The 6-11 native of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, has played three games in Vegas, starting the two contests that Jahlil Okafor missed. In those three games, he has averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and one block. He says he can definitely tell he has stepped up a level from college.

"Everybody's good," Zack says. "Everybody I match up against in the center spot is 6-11 or taller. They're all strong. So you can definitely see a change in talent level."

Zack says he is working hard to perfect the little things.

"Like locking down on defense," Zack says. "Talking, being aggressive, running the court, making the right play on offense, knowing how to run the offense. Just a lot of the little things that you really need to know. That's what they pay attention to."

Now nothing is guaranteed for Zack once the summer league wraps up for the 76ers on Friday. He's hopeful this exposure will open the door to whatever the next opportunity is.

"Whether it's the NBA or overseas," Zack says. "There are scouts from everywhere here. I have felt good about my play. And wherever this path takes me, I feel confident that I'll be going into a good situation."

Zack and the 76ers play Houston in their Vegas finale Friday at 4:00pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.