NBA agent Eric Fleisher has been in the game for 25 years, and he knows “special” when he sees it.

That’s why Fleisher was caught off guard late Thursday night when he learned former UT All-American Chris Lofton didn’t get an invite to the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla.

“Chris has had to fight for everything in his career,” said Fleisher, who is based in New York. “And every step of the way, he has proved people wrong.”

Lofton will need to do so again if he is to play in the NBA. The pre-draft camp, which starts Tuesday and runs three days, is an indicator of who teams are most interested in drafting.

The fact that Lofton didn’t get an invite despite some international players and underclassman passing on attending the camp, is not encouraging.

Lofton, who has been training in Phoenix the past two weeks, said he’ll do his best to impress NBA teams in individual workouts should he not get a last-second invite to the camp as an alternate.

“I’ve been looking forward to working out in front of teams because I’m feeling stronger, quicker, and I have more energy,” Lofton said.

Fleisher said Lofton has a skill many NBA teams are in need of — reliable 3-point shooting.

“Chris has been very successful shooting a high percentage and hitting big shots at the collegiate level,” Fleisher said. “If he can replicate that against an NBA level of competition … (in) individual workouts, there’s a real chance and a real need for a player like Chris.”

There’s not much Lofton can do about his height (6-foot-1) and athleticism — two common criticisms he has heard throughout his career — but shot selection is another matter.

Draftexpress.com addressed the questions surrounding Lofton’s shot selection in a recent article.

“We will cite some stats from Synergy Sports Technology, which has logged almost every game Lofton’s played this year,” the article reads. “On spot-up jumpers where he’s unguarded, Lofton scores 1.58 points per possession. On spot-up jumpers where he’s guarded, Lofton scores 1.17 PPP. On jumpers off the dribble, he scores 0.84 PPP.

“But of all his jump shots, only approximately 21 percent of them are unguarded spot-up jumpers. Looking at these numbers, it’s clear Lofton could be a much more efficient player with better shot selection.”

Lofton’s individual workouts for NBA teams could begin as early as June 3 and run up until the NBA Draft on June 26.

Fleisher said a recent conversation with one NBA team makes him optimistic about Lofton’s chances.

“In the NBA, there are 465 players, and out of those players only 20-some-odd shot at higher than 40 percent from 3(-point range),” he said. “Chris can really shoot the ball, and he understands how to play. He has proven a big-game player and big-shot maker.”

Fleisher said Lofton no doubt will have to answer questions about the testicular cancer he was diagnosed and treated for last spring.

Lofton, who will return home to Maysville, Ky., today, said he is feeling fine, and if his career path leads to Europe, so be it.

“It would be an adjustment, just like leaving home for college,” Lofton said. “If I need to go there (overseas) to play, I will.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.