They have lived like nomads, substituting suitcases for bureaus, as they travel around the country and around the world.

They are three different players with different characteristic, different abilities and different situations -- yet with a common background and a common goal.

Jarrett Stephens, Joe Crispin and Gyasi Cline-Heard have undertaken three different paths to the NBA's Summer Pro League, but they are bonded as former Nittany Lions competing for another shot in the professional ranks.

Their journeys have taken the three former Penn Staters to NBA sidelines, to semi-professional leagues, to European leagues and to just about anyplace that has a rim and net. Stephens (New York Knicks), Crispin (Phoenix Suns) and Cline-Heard (Utah Jazz) have found what could be a temporary residency with three NBA franchises, but are pursuing their lifelong dreams.

It's a self-preservation mission for an expedition without a guide. It just might be the end of the road for this just might be the critical juncture that either commences or concludes their NBA aspirations.

"It's another opportunity for them," Penn State assistant coach Mike Boyd said. "They have worked hard and are trying to achieve their dreams. It shows that you don't have to be from the so-called big, big-name schools."

Stephens graduated from Penn State two years ago, and he has learned lessons that could not be found in any curriculum.

He's learned about himself; about life.

The Grizzlies played in Vancouver then, and Stephens voyaged across the continent after signing a free-agent contract.

Things didn't work out.

"I was disappointed," Stephens said. "I also know that I was good enough to play in the NBA. I wasn't that upset. I just keep rolling with the punches."

The chatter that accompanied the 2000 NBA Draft spoke volumes about Stephens' senior season. The draft analysts projected Stephens as a late-first-round selection. He would be gone by the middle of the second, no doubt, Stephens thought.

Except when the final pick was announced, Stephens was home in Michigan without hearing his name called.

Stephens had, after all, averaged 18.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during his senior season. Stephens sat out the 1998-99 season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the 1998 National Invitation Tournament semifinals. Georgia's Larry Brown pushed Stephens from behind as he leaped off the Madison Square Garden court following a two-on-two fast-break sequence with teammate Calvin Booth.

It would be the first stage of his journey.

The knock against Stephens was that he even though he had a wide, 255-pound frame, NBA teams were reluctant to consider another dimension. "I'm 6-foot-6 with shoes on," Stephens said.

Stephens didn't make the team.

Things got worse.

The path became more treacherous.

He re-injured the ACL he tore in his left knee after signing a contract with Canturina Servizi of the top-tier A1 Italian Professional Basketball League.

Stephens returned to Penn State to rehabilitate a few months after he led coach Jerry Dunn's team to a seemingly improbably run to the NIT semifinals. He worked out, and watched (without eligibility) his friends and former teammates put forth one of the most memorable seasons in program history -- a Sweet-16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Retirement wasn't an option. He rehabilitated and returned to the Italian league. The Knicks called, and offered a spot on their summer-league team. Stephens didn't hesitate. He packed his bags once again, and flew to Boston.

"You just go as long as you feel like you have a good chance," Stephens said. "I've always dreamed of playing in the NBA. I just want to make the most of it."

Stephens played in one of the Knicks' six games in the Shaw Summer League. He played along NBA veterans, guys like Lavor Postell. He played in front of NBA coaches and NBA scouts. He played with his dream in mind.

"I just need one team to take a chance on me," Stephens said.

He didn't miss a shot. He made his lone field-goal attempt and both free throws with a defensive rebound and a steal in 10 minutes.

Sure, Stephens would have liked more touches, more minutes and more opportunities to demonstrate his abilities.

The road to the NBA, after all, has not been a charted course. Stephens went to the league "to get some professional experience."

He's onto the next stop, keeping the final destination in mind -- even with an impaired knee and without platform shoes.

"He has to make up for it with heart and courage -- he has already overcome a lot," Stephens' agent, Doug Neustadt, said. "That's what makes me believe he can do it. He has his whole career in front of him. He's ready to blossom. He is just about to hit his stride. He has to take things step by step."

Crispin is not certain of his next step, but he is taking it in stride.

His natural inclinations compel Crispin to consider his future. Which team will sign him? What will be his role? Will he play in the NBA?

Then, Crispin pauses, and utters seven simple yet profound words: "We walk by faith, not by sight."

It's a passage from 2 Corinthians 5:7, and it reassures Crispin as he advances along his uncertain journey. He was with Suns' summer-league team for a few days, but returned to his home in Pitman, N.J., still uncertain about the next step in his professional life. He's not apprehensive.

"It's a test," Crispin said. "My trust definitely just has to be in God. If not, I could be in serious trouble. It's the most important thing. I just have to play the game I know I can play. He is going to take care of everything else."

It's not blind faith. Crispin's belief has carried him through transactions to two NBA franchises and the ABA's Southern California Surf since he left Penn State in 2001 after leading Penn State to the NCAA Tournament South Regional semifinals.

He might be "spending a lot of time sitting around my living room", but, Crispin said, "I just have to trust in Him."

The Suns are competing in the Rocky Mountain Review in Salt Lake City, while Crispin has been preparing in southern New Jersey, waiting for "the right situation." The free-agent contract he signed in January was not guaranteed for the upcoming season, so he just might soon be out of a job.

Crispin's role diminished after the Suns hired coach Frank Johnson Feb. 17 to replace Scott Skiles. "I loved playing for him," Crispin said of Skiles.

Crispin finished his 15-game stint with Phoenix, averaging 4.6 points and 1.6 assists in 8.6 minutes per game.

He had a career-night when he scored 13 points in the final three minutes of the Suns' 112-102 loss against the Washington Wizards. He shot 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

Crispin made all eight of his free-throw attempts with the Suns.

Yet his playing time diminished with the coaching change. Crispin sees himself as a lightning rod, feeding off electricity and giving his team a charge with his marksman-like shooting. Johnson sees Crispin more of a ball-distributor.

"I didn't get an opportunity," Crispin said. "That was a bummer."

Crispin's might take a laid-back approach to his professional endeavors, but he has spent the past few days "running around like crazy" to prepare for his Saturday wedding to former Penn State women's soccer player Erin Cochran in Mechanicsburg.

(Former teammates Booth and Titus Ivory are getting married in the coming weeks. "It's ridiculous, man," Cline-Heard said. "I have to go to so many weddings. I'm not getting married anytime soon.")

Crispin's wedding will allow the 6-0, 185-pound guard to settle down after traveling around the country since he left Penn State last May.

The Suns signed Crispin after he scored 68 points in three games with the Surf. It was an opportunity to return to the NBA after the Los Angeles Lakers released Crispin following six games with the league champions. He played with the Lakers' and Wizards' summer-league squads last year.

Crispin is not certain of his next destination, but is certain his faith with see him through.

"I can't figure it out," Crispin said. "I never know what He has in store. I just have to trust enough in Him."

Cline-Heard is also taking an easy-going approach to his latest opportunity to play in the NBA.

After playing in Belgium for the past year, Cline-Heard is looking to "learn from the coaches, work hard and show what I can do."

It might be his final opportunity, but Cline-Heard is not sweating his summer situation.

"I really don't have any pressure on me," Cline-Heard said from his hotel room in Salt Lake City. "The only people who have pressure on them are the people who were drafted."

The most pressure on Cline-Heard is overcoming a legacy as Atlanta Hawks assistant Garfield Heard's son.

"He wants to make his own niche," Boyd said.

Cline-Heard has made three of his six field-goal and both of his foul-shot attempts as the 6-7 adjusts to playing a small-forward position. The minutes, statistical accolades and perks are secondary to Cline-Heard, though, as he wants to learn from the experience. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown have mentored Cline-Heard through the past two summer-league seasons.

Skills he has learned will perpetuate throughout his career, especially should Cline-Heard receive another opportunity.

"No matter where you go, if you do well, teams are going to find you," Cline-Heard said. "It only takes one team to like you."

Their travels have been diverse, but their desired destinations are consistent.

Stephens, Crispin and Cline-Heard follow each other on the Internet, they send e-mails and place the occasional phone call.

Each has a story; each has a dream.

They hope their former teammates will be in the NBA and traveling throughout the country. Once in a while, when they visit a city for a game, they just might have a former Penn State teammate to call on with their journeys complete.

"It would be a really cool thing for all of us to be in the league," Stephens said. "We all just have to be patient, and, hopefully, things will work out."