Former NBA lottery pick Marcus Fizer finds new calling

LostLettermen.com, the college sports fan site and player database, regularly contributes to Ball Don't Lie. Here's a look at former NBA player Marcus Fizer.

He's been labeled one of the biggest NBA draft busts ever and most people haven't heard his name since he last played in the NBA five years ago.

But now born-again Christian and former lottery pick Marcus Fizer is out to remove the "bust" label from his name, return to the NBA and, oh yeah, build a second career as a minister. Kobe 2010

That's why you'll now find Fizer, 33, in his hometown of Arcadia, La., where he is working out vigilantly for a return to the NBA hardwood (you know, once they actually resume play) while also serving as a youth minster at the local First Arcadia Church of God in Christ. Renewing his faith in October of 2010, he now gives sermons at the church where his guardian is the pastor, serves as the Sunday school superintendent and leads a youth hour each Wednesday. Fizer even has a Christian clothing line coming out.

"I'm at peace," Fizer said. "I'm living a great life with my family. I've gotten married. My wife and my kids are together... God took me to a place where he got a lot of people out of my life that weren't necessarily leading me down the right path."

[Related: JaMarcus Russell plots return to LSU classes & NFL] Kobe 2010

And Fizer believes his new-found faith will help lead him back to the NBA, where he averaged just 9.6 PPG and 4.6 RPG in six seasons after being compared to Karl Malone when he was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2000 NBA draft.

"Five years from now, do I picture myself playing in the NBA again?" Fizer asked. "No question."

To do that, he will first need to prove himself overseas or in the NBA Development League. And Fizer has his work cut out for him with his relatively old age, concerns about his surgically repaired right knee and the fact he's barely played the last three seasons.

He most recently signed with an Israeli team last December, but it didn't work out due to an injury. Fizer said he's currently fielding offers from teams around the globe and sounds confident in his knee that has suffered three torn ACLs.

On his mission to reach the NBA again, Fizer is also intent on setting the record straight about his first go-round in the league, even requesting an interview himself to tell his side of the story.