The National Basketball Association lockout has ended at last, and now it’s time for Fred Hoiberg and Loren Meyer to go to work.

Nearly three months after being drafted, the recent Iowa State graduates will finally get their first look at life as NBA players during this week’s rookie transitional meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Although neither player is signed as of yet, the meetings, which teach young players how to handle their future riches, are a must for all rookies.

Meyer, a first-round pick by the Dallas Mavericks during this last June’s draft, has yet to speak with team officials. Hoiberg, selected in the second round, said he has already begun talks with the Indiana Pacers.

“Right now my agent is working with the team for a deal that will be in my best interest,” Hoiberg said.

Indiana grabbed the former ISU shooting guard, who led last year’s Cyclones with 19.9 points per game, with the 52nd choice overall. Meyer was the 24th pick.

As if being a first-year player wasn’t enough to worry about, Hoiberg and Meyer have had to deal with the added hurdle of the NBA’s labor disagreement. The lockout has prevented them from having any contact with their teams.

NBA player representatives ratified a six-year collective bargaining agreement just last week. The owners approved it on Friday and the lockout officially ended Monday.

“It was frustrating waiting for things to get settled,” Meyer said.

The contract negotiation process wasn’t the only thing delayed.

“The lockout affected me most by keeping me out of some mini-camps,” said Meyer, a 6-foot 10-inch center. “I don’t think I was affected as much as Fred, though, since he was drafted in the second round and could have used the camps to help prove himself.”

But Hoiberg found other ways to stay in shape.

“I went out to California and played some games with [Los Angeles Clippers rookie] Brent Barry and the teams from the University of California and St. Mary’s College,” Hoiberg said. “I’ve also been working out with the Iowa State team to try and stay in shape.”

Even with all of the hype surrounding the draft, both Hoiberg and Meyer said they haven’t experienced any significant changes in their lifestyles.

“It’s a real good feeling knowing that I did get drafted, but now I’m just waiting for things to happen,” Meyer said.

Hoiberg agreed.

“The only thing that has changed for me, since I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to the team, is that I’m still in Ames but not going to school,” he said.

Hoiberg and Meyer have different views about what lies ahead for them in professional basketball.

“Going to the NBA is a dream come true, so now I’m just going to do what I’ve always done and hope that I perform well,” said Meyer, who averaged nine rebounds a game last season.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure, so I’m just going to do what comes naturally,” he added. “I hope I can step right in and play and do well.”

Hoiberg, on the other hand, said he doesn’t want to limit his options to the NBA.

“It’s not a sure thing that I’m going to make the team yet, so I’m just waiting to find out about that so I can get on with my life,” he said. “My agent is also working on a deal with a team overseas in case the NBA doesn’t work out.”

Another alternative for Hoiberg may still be here in North America.

“I’ve also been told that I’m going to be the No. 1 pick in the CBA [Continental Basketball Association] draft this week, so I’ve got a lot of options,” Hoiberg said.

If the NBA is in the future for the former Cyclones, they will be incorporated in two very competitive franchises.

The Mavericks have one of the league’s premier core of stars with guards Jimmy Jackson, Jason Kidd and forward Jamal Mashburn. The Pacers came within one game of last year’s finals and boast one of the game’s top players in Reggie Miller.

“There are not many players in the league who would be better to learn from than him,” Hoiberg said of Miller.

Meyer, who averaged 15.7 points per game as a Cyclone senior, said he knows his role in the Dallas offense will not often involve taking the ball to the hoop.

“My role won’t be to score as much, like I sometimes had to do at Iowa State,” Meyer said. “With the three great scorers the Mavericks have in Jimmy, Jason and Jamal, I’ll have to just play tough defense on opposing centers and forwards and grab some rebounds.”

Going into the season, both players have set realistic goals for their inaugural years.

“The best I can do is get ready to play and be there to step in if there is an injury or when Reggie moves on,” Hoiberg said.

“I just want to go in, work hard, play my role and help when I can,” Meyer added.

Life as an NBA rookie officially begins for Hoiberg and Meyer on Oct. 2 with rookie camp and picks up again on Oct. 6 when training camp opens.