NET NOTES

Evan Eschmeyer is no longer a big zero for the Nets. Actually, no longer a big double zero for the Nets.

The second year center who wore “00” on his jersey last season in honor of his grandfathers, has reclaimed his preferred uniform number, 42. That’s what he wore throughout the Nets’ summer league mini-camp which concluded yesterday at the Champion Center.

“It was 42 my whole life until last year,” explained Eschmeyer, who showed so much promise and a most commendable willingness to bang last season after he returned from summer shoulder surgery. “Mark Hendrickson had it (42) as a free agent when I got drafted … Both my grandfathers wore double-zero in high school so I took that number. When 42 became available, I said I wanted it back.”

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Coach Byron Scott trimmed the summer league roster by five. The cuts included journeyman Marty Conlon and a former No. 6 draft pick, Doug Smith who was hampered by left injury. Also cut were guards Ronnie Fields, who was the Farragut Academy teammate of Kevin Garnett; Ron Selleaze of Cal State-Bakersfield and Raymond Tutt of Cal-Santa Barbara. “It’s not easy, especially when you’ve got a bunch of guys out here who are really busting their butts. There’s pressure to make those types of decisions,” Scott said.