In a chat session from the Pan Am Games, where he is a member of Team USA, Bailey told users he is just honing his basketball skills so he will be ready when he gets his shot at the big leagues. Bailey also talked about playing at Indiana under Bobby Knight and commented on the rash of transfers from his alma mater.

If you missed Bailey's July 26 chat, an edited transcript follows.

	Bailey spent four seasons with the Hoosiers.

Dave: Have you had any contact from NBA teams for a roster spot next year?

Damon Bailey: Yes, I had an opportunity to go to Minnesota this week to play in their summer league. I was invited but I thought being here at the Pan Am Games was better exposure for me. I get to represent my country and try and win a gold medal, something that hasn't been done here in about 16 years. I thought this would be a better experience for me. I will continue to talk with teams after this is over and hopefully get invited to a training camp somewhere.

Carl: Would you send your sons to Indiana to play basketball for Bobby Knight?

Damon Bailey: I don't have any sons and I don't think he will be there when and if I have kids.

But it takes a special individual to get a chance to go to that level of basketball. I think it would depend on the type of kid I had and if I didn't think he had the mentality to go there, I might steer him in a different direction. No question it is a tough place to play.

Gerry: How much have you kept in touch with Bobby since you graduated, and what is your opinion of all the recent transfers?

Damon Bailey: I haven't kept in contact at all with him.

All the transfer talk goes back to the fact that some kids can handle what you have to go through at Indiana and some can't. I think kids these days are different and it is too easy to quit.

Kids are moving at a much quicker pace these days -- going to the NBA early or switching schools. It is an example of our society. It's just like divorce -- rates have gone up because it has gotten easier to get out of a marriage. If a kid is not having success, they think it will be better at a different school and it has become very easy to make that move.

As far as the Indiana transfers, I think Luke Recker handled his transfer perfectly by not blaming the coach or the program and said it was a personal decision. Guys know what they are getting into when they go there and if you stay, it will only make you a better player. And that is all you can ask from a college program.

Byron: Is there anything you think you still need to work on help you make it back to the NBA?

BAILEY'S FILE

Bailey spent four years at Indiana University under the tutelage of Bobby Knight, where he scored 1,741 career points and was named first-team All-Big Ten his senior year. Bailey was drafted in the second round of the 1994 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers but spent just one year in the league on the Pacers' disabled list following surgery on both knees. Bailey has spent the past four seasons in the CBA with the Fort Wayne Fury where he is the team's all-time leading assist man. This past season Bailey led the team in scoring (16.4 ppg) and led the league in assists (6.8 apg).

Damon Bailey: There are always a lot of things you can improve on. The one big thing I had to work on was my ball handling. Coming out of college I had always played the two-guard. Now I think I have those skills and I just would like to get a chance. Guys in this league just have to be ready when they do get a chance and hopefully they will play well.

James: Coming out of high school you were a huge star. You had a good career at Indiana, and now that you are playing in the CBA, give us a sense of what your feelings are about the way your career has shaped up.

Damon Bailey: I am very happy. I am making a living doing what I love. Am I able to do all the things I want? No. I would love to be playing in the NBA. But I don't think people understand what it takes to be a professional athlete. It is a tough road.

But it is all about getting your chance. Like I said earlier, if you get a chance you have to be ready to make the most of it. There is not much difference between most of the guys in the CBA compared to the NBA.

Coming from a small town and getting to where I am at, I am very happy. I just love to play the game and I am fortunate to be getting paid.

Ohio George: How does it feel to be one of the most loved and respected players in the history of Indiana basketball? Does it ever get old? Do you wish for complete anonymity?

Damon Bailey: There is good and bad with it. I had a lot of recognition at a very young age. I grew up with it, so it is a part of my life.

So there is good and bad. The day I walk around and people don't recognize me, I'm sure it will bother me. It is all part of the game. I enjoy it and the support that goes along with it. I try to make the most of it and be polite to the people I meet.

Byron: Do you think you might want to go into coaching someday when you're finally through playing?

Damon Bailey: No.

I have had a very good career with the game even if it ended tomorrow. I don't think people understand what it takes to play this game. It is not just money, being famous and signing autographs. It is very stressful, taxing and a lot of hard work.

It has taken me away from my family enough, so when I am through playing I don't envision getting into coaching.

It also has to do with what I said about IU. Kids have changed these days and I don't think they want to put in the work and as a coach that would drive me crazy.

Brett: If you had the choice again, would you attend IU or choose another program?

Damon Bailey: I don't know. That is tough.

I think when I made the decision, there were a couple of criteria -- a chance to play for a national championship and get better as a player. I think both of those happened.

Would I have been a better player if I had gone elsewhere? I think every player thinks that, but I am living with my decision.

Brooks: What advice would you give new Indiana basketball players on making it to the next level?

Damon Bailey: To be successful there you have to go in with the attitude that you know nothing about the game and you are ready to learn the game again from one of the best coaches ever.

If you do that, you will have success. But it is tough for a lot of people to do. Lots of people coming in have always been the best on their team and think they know a lot about the game. They may, but you have to learn Coach Knight's way and the faster you make that adjustment, the better off you will be.

Chris Sparks: Do players in the CBA have strong desire to win or just to move on to the NBA?

Damon Bailey: I think you get a little of both. CBA players are people and so are the NBA players. Everyone wants to see their team succeed. But there are those that like to pad their stats and get noticed at the cost of the team.

I think the CBA is underrated. There is some good basketball down here. But it is combination of both -- everyone wants to be successful. It always feels better to win. And being successful is what is going to help us get to the next level. I think every player here has the talent to go out and score 20-25 points a night but it would hurt their team.

That is all the time I have for now. I have to get to practice. Thanks for all the questions, comments and support.

Take care.