The temperature outside is approaching a humid 90 degrees, but Rick Rickert is working in the comfort of an air-conditioned gym at Manatee Community College.

Rickert uses a vacant basket to work on his hook shot. Then he steps away from the basket to show his outside shooting touch, something that made him a tough matchup for opponents during his two seasons at the University of Minnesota.

Every move he makes, every shot he takes, every weight he lifts at the IMG Academy is under the scrutiny of IMG trainers. Rickert is attending the academy to get ready for workouts leading up to the June 26 NBA draft.

"I thought coming here would be the best way to get ready the quickest," said Rickert, who plans to spend about five weeks at the academy. "I was expecting this to be vigorous. This place is where they challenge you to get there."

Rickert has been working out with players such as Dahntay Jones of Duke, Matt Carroll of Notre Dame, Al Harrington of the Indiana Pacers and former NBA player John Wallace.

In just two weeks, Rickert's weight has gone from 218 to 223 pounds. Any added weight is good for Rickert because many wonder if he can take the pounding of an 82-game NBA season. He also is working on his quickness, another area observers say Rickert must improve to guard players on the perimeter.