The NBA Draft wasn’t kind to every collegiate basketball star who was hopeful of hearing their name this past Thursday.
Here are some of college basketball stars who have signed with NBA Summer League teams that begins in Orlando from July 4-10, Utah July 6-9 and of course, Las Vegas July 10-20.
Atlanta Hawks Nebraska’s do it all forward Terran Pettaway has a chance to actually make the team with a strong showing due to the possibility of free agents Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll leaving for big deals.
Brooklyn Nets Kansas’s troubled freshman star Cliff Alexander and Connecticut legend Ryan Boatright will join 1st round draftees Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough. Alexander was a top pick coming into the season, but his ineligibility issues were a huge distraction to himself and his stock but has tons of upside. Boatright can light up and get in your jersey with his defensive pressure, not mention a former NCAA champion. General Manager Billie King signed two undrafted steals of this class in Alexander and Boatright, and has one of the more exciting teams to watch.
Charlotte Hornets After drafting ‘Frank the Tank’ with the 9th pick, they sign the undrafted twin in shooting specialist Aaron Harrison. Harrison has great size at 6’6 and loves end of games with pressure being his forte, could help the Hornets who are lacking a wing shooter.
Golden State Warriors Providence scorer wizard LaDontae Henton joins the defending word champions. The Warriors are stacked at guard, but Henton could use this opportunity to show case his scoring ability to other teams not to mention playing with the Warriors’ 1st round pick in Kevon Looney will help a lot.
Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak nailed the Number 2 pick selection with Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell, but signing big men Washington Huskies center Robert Upshaw and Arizona Wildcat forward Brandon Ashley is the cherry on top. The Lakers need length and size, and both PAC12 players assist with that in their defensive prowess and cleaning up on the glass.
Miami Heat Pat Riley might of landed the steal of the draft with Duke’s Justise Winslow landing to them with the 10th pick, but now he lands NCAA All-America Northern Iowa star Seth Tuttle. Tuttle can do a bit of everything, and maybe not the highest leaper is a very underrated athlete who can make for a great duo with him and Winslow in Vegas.
Oklahoma City Thunder NCAA champion and Duke scoring dynamo Quinn Cook should light up the summer league.However, he will also need to continue to show his playmaking skills at the point. A very willing defender, Cook will be a fun and interesting player to watch in this setting of basketball.
Philadelphia 76ers After drafting 12 centers (joking) on Thursday, the 76ers scooped up UTEP athletic freak in Vince Hunter and one of the best competitors in college basketball Arizona’s TJ McConnell. Hunter and McConnell will make a formidable duo and join the 3rd pick of the draft Jahlil Okafor and 58th pick guard JP Tokoto. Okafor has superstar potential, and Tokoto is a world class athlete who will need to show his development on the perimeter.
Utah Jazz Harvard senior guard Wesley Saunders is more than just book smarts, he has a very crafty game. Saunders’ shooting and scoring ability gave draftee JP Tokoto, an above average defender trouble and left him in sorts in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament. All wings and guards better be on notice for the Crimson guard who will be looking to make a name for himself.