Robert Upshaw says he has matured since Washington dismissal

The obstacles Robert Upshaw faced once he stepped on the Lakers’ practice court seemed far more serious than his poor conditioning, learning a complex offense or fitting in with fellow rookies. Once Upshaw begins summer league play with the Lakers on Friday in Las Vegas, he will have to prove worthy of latching on an NBA team after he struggled to stay on two collegiate programs.

Both Fresno State (2012-13) and the University of Washington (2014-15) dismissed him from their programs amid unspecified violation of team rules, causing a projected first-round pick to suddenly go undrafted. He sounded fully aware that the Lakers will not view any behavior issue following the old adage that “whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

“For me, I had the opportunity come back to me every time I was let go,” said Upshaw, who missed the 2013-14 season because of NCAA transfer rules. “This time it sees real. It really does. It seems like if I don’t make this, I’m done.”

It sure does. Unlike D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr., Upshaw landed on a spot on the Lakers’ summer league without a guaranteed contract. Unlike Jordan Clarkson, Tarik Black and Jabari Brown, Upshaw faces uncertainty on whether the Lakers plan to keep him on a non-guaranteed deal. Upshaw’s only security entails practicing for the Lakers this week followed by games beginning on July 10 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I do plan on being on a team the end of the summer, whether it’s the Lakers or any other franchise,” said Upshaw, who admitted his allegiance for the Kings after growing up in Fresno. “Hopefully it’s the Lakers. I really like it here and there’s some really good pieces here. There’s a great group of guys and coaching staff. I can play ball at the next level. It’s just a matter of me going out there showing that I can.”

The Lakers could use Upshaw’s talent.

They landed two-time NBA all-star center Roy Hibbert from Indiana, but his blocking expertise cannot mask his offensive limitations. The Lakers have retained backup center Robert Sacre to a guaranteed contract, but he could be trade amid the team’s need to free up cap space. Meanwhile, the 7-foot-2, 264-pound Upshaw set the Huskies’ season shot-blocking record (85), led the team with 8.2 rebounds per game and finished third with 10.9 points per game. Upshaw did all this to lead UW to a 14-5 record before his dismissal on Jan. 26, a record that soon soured 16-15 overall and 5-13 in the Pac-12.

Still, no one doubted Upshaw’s basketball abilities. It has all traced back to his behavior.

“I have to prove I can mature myself. I know my basketball game is there. I just have to put both together.”

Upshaw, 21, declined to share specifically what led to his dismissal. But he said he has leaned on a strong support staff, including his family, sports agency and a psychologist he visits regularly.

“I matured and learned things about life,” he said. “I learned things about authority, how to listen instead of talk, how not to have excuses and always have the answer. That’s what it was for me. I learned that and learned it quick.”

Upshaw also learned quickly on Monday that he needs to polish his game.

He conceded he is “not in any good shape at all” after only playing pick-up basketball eight times since his dismissal. Upshaw acknowledged a learning curve both on defensive rotations and familiarity with Byron Scott’s Princeton-based offense. Although he said he has shot 70 percent from the foul line in practice, Upshaw will have to prove he can translate that in a game after making only 59.3 percent of his foul shots with the Huskies.

“I’m still struggling to do a lot of things that I should have learned a long time ago,” Upshaw said. “But instead I had to mature first and get over the things in order to do that. Even though it’s a learning process, I still think I can keep up with these guys.”

But can Upshaw can keep up with his vow that he will only spark headlines for on-court heroics? The Lakers and 29 other front offices will watch closely.

“They told me at the next level that the lifestyle is amplified, especially being a Laker,” Upshaw said. “They told me that if this is something I really wanted to do, I have to put together something to keep me out of trouble and better myself.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com