Brian Cusworth is a 7-foot, 28-year-old center on the Maine Red Claws of the D-League still hoping to reach the NBA.

But Cusworth is also a graduate of Harvard putting off medical school to pursue that dream while making a meager salary in the D-League.

"I always thought of myself as a potential player in the NBA," Cusworth said, "so I thought this was the best road to give it a shot."

Cusworth played in the NBA Summer League in 2007 and then played in Europe until suffering an ankle injury in 2010.

"It's great to have that experience," Cusworth said. "That, coupled with the success I've had overseas, made me think I'm on the cusp of breaking in (to the NBA).

"That remains to be seen. I wanted to give it a shot."

Cusworth's plan is to pursue a career in medicine once he stops playing basketball.

"It's very easy for me to say 'I'm going to be a doctor.' It's another thing to commit a year or two to refresher courses, four years of medical school, three years of residency, at the least."