Now that the NBA Draft is over, what happens to your favorite players that didn’t hear their names called on draft night? Well – the next step for them is being selected to play on an NBA Summer League Team, an ‘official tryout’ of sorts. Sure, like single A minor league baseball, these teams are put together so that the new young stars can have teams to play with and develop, but there is a difference here, there are undrafted free agents that do make final rosters based on their summer league performance.
There are two leagues this summer with the first being hosted by the Orlando Magic, running from July 6th through July 10th. The league will consist of only 15 games, and is closed to the public. The games will be played at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando. Teams slated to play include….Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and a split squad with the New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. The schedule for those games can be found here:
Orlando Magic Summer League Schedule
On the same day that the games end in Orlando, the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas starts up. The 21 team league will play a total of 55 games July 10th through the 19th. The games in Vegas are open to the public, and will give fans a chance to get an up close look at the future NBA stars. The schedule for those games can be found here:
Las Vegas Summer League Schedule
The final rosters are not yet complete for either league, but we do already know that there will be several players with local ties that will be competing for an NBA roster spot. Here they are, listed alphabetically...
Dominic James: The former Marquette star from Richmond, Indiana will be playing in Las Vegas for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Coby Karl: The former Homestead High School star will be playing in Orlando for the Boston Celtics. Karl spent the 2008 season bouncing back and forth between the Los Angelas Lakers and the D-League, and last season he played in Spain for Joventut Badalona.
Marcus Landry: The former Milwaukee Vincent star and Wisconsin Badger standout, Landry will be playing in Las Vegas alongside former Marquette players Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal.
Wesley Matthews: Former Marquette University and Madison Memorial High School star will be playing in Orlando for the Utah Jazz, and in Las Vegas for the Sacramento Kings along with former teammate Jerel McNeal and former Badger Marcus Landry.
Jerel McNeal: the former Marquette star from Chicago will be playing in Las Vegas for the Sacramento Kings along with former teammate Wesley Matthews and former Badger Marcus Landry.
Greg Stiemsma: The former Wisconsin Badger standout and Randolph High School star will be playing in Las Vegas for the Memphis Grizzlies. this past year Stiemsma played in Turkey for Oyak Renault Bursa where he averaged 7.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game before heading to South Korea where he put up 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Seoul SK Knights.
Mike Taylor: The former John Marshall High School star and Iowa State standout is with the LA Clippers. During his rookie season, Taylor averaged 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Taylor will be playing with the Clippers in Las Vegas.
Alondo Tucker: Entering his 3rd NBA season with the Phoenix Suns, Tucker will be playing in Las Vegas. Last season for the Suns, Tucker averaged 9.4 minutes and 4.6 points per game
Clay Tucker: The former UWM star averaged 17.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game last season playing in Spain for Cajasol. Tucker will be playing for the Detroit Pistons.
Kyle Weaver: The former Beloit High School and Washington State star has been in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder for one season. The 6’6 guard averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a rookie for the Thunder, and will be playing for them in both Orlando and Las Vegas.
Milwaukee Bucks: the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster in Las Vegas includes:
| PLAYER |
POS |
HT |
WT |
SCHOOL / COUNTRY |
BIRTHDATE |
NBA EXP. |
| Joe Alexander |
F |
6' 8" |
230 |
West Virginia |
12/26/1986 |
1 |
| Dominic James |
G |
6' 0" |
175 |
Marquette |
10/5/1986 |
R |
| Brandon Jennings |
G |
6' 1" |
170 |
Lottomatica Virtus Roma (Italy) |
9/23/1989 |
R |
| Will McDonald |
C |
6' 11" |
255 |
South Florida |
10/5/1979 |
R |
| Luc Richard Mbah a Moute |
F |
6' 8" |
230 |
UCLA |
9/9/1986 |
1 |
| Jodie Meeks |
G |
6' 4" |
208 |
Kentucky |
8/21/1987 |
R |
| Juan Palacios |
F |
6' 8" |
245 |
Louisville |
5/11/1985 |
R |
| Chris Richard |
F |
6' 9" |
255 |
Florida |
12/25/1984 |
1 |
| Salim Stoudamire |
G |
6' 1" |
175 |
Arizona |
10/11/1982 |
3 |
| Szymon Szewczyk |
F |
6' 10" |
242 |
Poland |
12/21/1982 |
R |
| Mohammed Tangara |
F/C |
6' 8" |
248 |
Chaminade |
8/11/1984 |
R |
| Lorrenzo Wade |
F |
6' 6" |
225 |
San Diego State |
11/23/1985 |
R |
**Updates on other players hoping to catch on with summer league teams will be made as destinations become known, in the mean time, you can always find updates from RidiculousUpside.com.