"I had to get stronger," Singleton said. "So I've put on 10 pounds of muscle already. I'm up to 240."

So the obvious question is whether fans in Dallas will see that extra bulk. Singleton is a free agent, and while both he and the Mavericks want him here, he takes nothing for granted.

"It's the NBA - the National Business Association," he said. "But I'm very hopeful. I love it here."

This is an interesting week for Singleton. He's playing alongside owner Mark Cuban, numerous Cowboys and Stars, and other celebrities in the charity baseball game at 6 p.m. at Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark.

A year ago this week, Singleton was playing in the Mavericks minicamp. There were 20 players going through this year's version Thursday and Friday, hoping for invitations to summer league.

"This is the American Idol of the NBA," president of Basketball operations Donnie Nelson said.

One difference: the winner of American Idol goes from being nobody to making millions and becoming a star. Any survivors of this camp get an invite to summer camp, which could lead to a spot in training camp. A final roster spot would constitute a rare leap. Singleton was the lone survivor of last year's minicamp to make the final roster.

This year, Shan Foster would qualify as the favorite to have a shot for ultimate success. He was the Mavericks second-round pick last year. He spent the past season at Caserta, Italy.

It was a learning experience, he said.

"I was playing against guys twice my age in some cases," he said. "But it helped me get a lot of experience. It was good, except for the time the mafia stormed into our practice."

Whoa, hold up. Mafia?

"Yeah, we'd lost three or four games in a row, and the mafia didn't like that," Foster said. "They came to deliver a message. Being from New Orleans, I was this close [holding thumb and forefinger together] from getting out of there."

Coach Rick Carlisle said he quickly noticed the difference in Foster when he arrived back from Europe.

"His shooting has improved and his range has improved," Carlisle said. "And his understanding of the pro game - and European professional ball has some similarities to the NBA. He's back here to put himself in a position to make the team."

Foster agreed. He has no intentions of going back to Europe.

Briefly: The Mavericks wrapped up the two-day minicamp Friday and will evaluate the participants in the next week or so before inviting some back for summer camp, which starts in early July. ... Japanese guard Yuta Tabuse - nicknamed the Jordan of Japan, complete with a small army of foreign media members - did not play in the camp because of a heel injury. Nelson said the Mavericks probably will invite him back for summer league.