Here's a list of some of the better players who were NOT drafted in Thursday's 2009 NBA Draft. It's amazing when you look at how great some of these guys were in college and that they didn't even get drafted, which goes to show you how much talent you really need to play in the NBA. I will be updating this list as the season goes on to show what each of these players is up to.Jerel McNeal, Marquette: McNeal worked out for 14 teams, including the Bulls, who may or may not need help in backcourt depending on what happens with Ben Gordon. I think he'll be on an NBA roster once the season starts. I still like his game and think he can be a solid bench player.
Update: the former Marquette star from Chicago will be playing in Las Vegas for the Sacramento Kings. (Sports Bubbler)
Dionte Christmas, Temple: Ed Stefanski, ever mindful of the value he places on his local ties, reached out late Thursday night to Temple's Dionte Christmas, inviting him to join the Orlando summer league team the 76ers will be sharing with the New Jersey Nets. Christmas, who had been projected as a second-round selection during Thursday night's NBA draft, went unclaimed. He is likely to have multiple summer league and European offers. The Sixers leave July 2 for Orlando; Stefanski is awaiting a decision whether Christmas will join first-round draft choice Jrue Holiday and second-year big man Marreese Speights on the summer roster. ''He's a great kid, he's local,'' said Stefanski, the Sixers' president/general manager. ''Now, he has to prove it all over again.'' (Philadelphia Daily News)
Update: Dionte Christmas will also be playing for the Clippers in Summer League.
Jeff Adrien, UConn: Rumor has it that Adrian is headed to the Grizzlies, who could definitely use a bruiser like him off the bench. He also apparently turned down Boston, because they wanted to send him to Europe for a few seasons.
Update: Despite being undrafted Thursday, ex-Boston College guard Tyrese Rice and ex-UConn forward Jeff Adrien of Brookline have both landed on NBA summer league rosters. Rice will be playing for Washington and Adrien will be playing for Memphis on teams playing in the Vegas Summer League in July. (Boston Globe)
Update: LSU’s shot-blocking center, Chris Johnson, UConn tough guy Jeff Adrien and Texas sharp shooter A.J. Abrams top the list of players invited to the Nets summer league team. All three were considered possible second round picks, but weren’t called. (Nets Daily)
A.J. Abrams, Texas: Could be headed to Europe, where he's shooting skills would be appreciated more, despite the lack of height that is keeping him out of the NBA.
Update: LSU’s shot-blocking center, Chris Johnson, UConn tough guy Jeff Adrien and Texas sharp shooter A.J. Abrams top the list of players invited to the Nets summer league team. All three were considered possible second round picks, but weren’t called. (Nets Daily)
Tyrese Rice, BC: Sounds like Tyrese Rice could have a chance to play Summer League for the Celtics (although I doubt he makes the team): “Jeff Adrien’s one guy who could play in this league, and Tyrese Rice, that kid, could make it too,” Ainge said. “We have limited spots. We do like Jeff, but I have to be careful of what I say because of priorities.” (Boston Herald)
Update: Despite being undrafted Thursday, ex-Boston College guard Tyrese Rice and ex-UConn forward Jeff Adrien of Brookline have both landed on NBA summer league rosters. Rice will be playing for Washington and Adrien will be playing for Memphis on teams playing in the Vegas Summer League in July. (Boston Globe)
Dominic James, Marquette: After his freshman season, most people assumed he was going to be a 1st round pick. However, he is small and never really shot the ball all that well from the outside. He's also coming off of a foot injury. He may get a chance in Summer League, but I don't see him having much of an NBA career.
Update: The former Marquette star from Richmond, Indiana will be playing in Las Vegas for the Milwaukee Bucks. (Sports Bubbler)
Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga: Pargo has loads of athleticism and potential, but I think he is too turnover prone to be a PG. I could see him coming off the bench in the NBA though. The Utah Jazz were said to be interested in him, but since they drafted Eric Maynor, they may no longer need him.
Leo Lyons, Missouri: Leo Lyons, not selected Thursday night in the NBA draft, has agreed to play for the Indiana Pacers’ summer-league team. “Then we’ll see where we go from there,” said Mark Bartelstein, the Chicago-based agent who represents Lyons and Missouri teammate DeMarre Carroll. “He may go to Cleveland (the Cavaliers) after that.” (KansasCity.com)
Josh Heytvelt, Gonzaga: Probably was done in by the fact that he was suspended for being in possession of marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms while at Gonzaga. Chances are that some team will pick him up for Summer League though.
Paul Delaney, UAB: Worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks, but other than that not much info out there.
Paul Harris, Syracuse: Paul Harris wasn't selected in the NBA's two-round draft on Thursday, but the Syracuse University junior appears to be on the verge of agreeing to play in an NBA-sanctioned summer league. Jeff Bishop, Harris' AAU coach, said Harris and his agent, Leon Rose of Creative Artists Agency, are mulling over offers from three NBA teams to play summer-league ball. According to Bishop, the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed in interest in having Harris play for them this summer. Bishop added that more teams could be contacting Rose today. (Orange Basketball)
Update: After weighing offers from the Cavaliers, the Bulls and the Timberwolves, former Syracuse basketball player Paul Harris has decided to join former teammate Jonny Flynn with Minnesota. Harris will fly to Las Vegas and along with Flynn will play for the Timberwolves when The NBA Summer League kicks off. (Syracuse.com)
Eric Devendorf: The third cog in the orange wheel could be headed overseas. Former SU guard Eric Devendorf is fielding offers to play in Europe after going un-drafted in last week's NBA draft. His agent says several European pro teams are interested, but Devo is still hoping to earn a summer league spot from an NBA team.
(WICZ)
K.C. Rivers, Clemson: Couldn't find any news on Rivers. I like him, but my guess is that he is a long shot to make an NBA team.
Update: Undrafted former Clemson wing K.C. Rivers told Clemson basketball SID Philip Sykes he will likely take part in the NBA Summer League July 10-19 in Las Vegas. The summer session gives younger NBA players, undrafted free agents and drafted rookies a chance to get experience before training camp - and a chance to open some eyes. Then from there the likely destination is probably Europe or an NBDL affiliate. (Tiger Tracks)
Lee Cummard, BYU: The ninth all-time scorer for the Cougars will now try to catch on with an NBA team as a free agent and should get a chance to showcase his game on a summer-league roster. He also has offers to play overseas, but will wait for Emens to sort through all the free-agent offers that come his way. (Mormon Times)
Update: BYU senior Lee Cummard has accepted an invitation to play for the Phoenix Suns 2009 NBA Summer League team. The team will include current members of the Phoenix Suns and will potentially include 2009 draft picks Earl Clark (1st round, 14th overall) and Taylor Griffin (2nd round, 48th overall). “I’m really excited to be playing,” Cummard said. “It’s a great opportunity to prove what I can do against great competition. The Suns are a great organization and I look forward to getting started.” (BYU Cougars)
Curtis Jerrells, Baylor: No news on Jerrells who will be looking to play for someone in the Summer League.
Dar Tucker, DePaul: There have been no official announcements for Tucker’s future plans, but he will most likely venture overseas or try to suit up for an NBA Development League team in the coming months after a possible NBA summer league stint. (Examiner)
Luke Nevill, Utah: Nevill will now have to sign with a team as a free agent, and earning a roster spot will be difficult. Nevill's agent, Keith Glass, said late Thursday that he and Nevill will quickly decide which team the Australian center will try to latch on with. It had to have been disheartening for Nevill to go unpicked in what was a weak draft class — especially at his position. Only three centers were selected on Thursday. ESPN's Chad Ford ranked Nevill as the eighth-best center available. The Jazz contemplated taking Nevill with their No. 50 pick in the second round, but instead they went with another senior big man, 6-10 Bosnian center Goran Suton of Michigan State."Luke," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "was somebody that was under serious consideration." (Deseret News)
Update: Former BYU guard/forward Lee Cummard has accepted an invitation to play for the Phoenix Suns Summer League team while former Utah center Luke Nevill has been invited to play for the New Orleans Hornets' team. Both teams will play in Las Vegas. "I'm excited about Luke Nevill getting a chance with New Orleans," said Utah coach Jim Boylen. "New Orleans is a quality organization that is good at developing players. I'm thankful Luke will get an opportunity to prove himself there." (Deseret News)
Josh Shipp, UCLA: Neither wing Josh Shipp nor power forward/center Alfred Aboya were drafted, but UCLA coach Ben Howland said he expected both to be invited to an NBA summer league camp.Howland added both players had "high-level European situations" on the table if the NBA didn't work out. (Inside UCLA)
Antonio Anderson, Memphis: Is a great defensive player, but he can't shoot worth a lick. Neither could Bruce Bowen coming out of college either though, so there is some hope that he can develop an outside shot if he puts in the work necessary.
Update: Funny that I compared Anderson to Bruce Bowen and now he will be playing for the Spurs in Summer League. Maybe they see the same thing in him that they saw in Bowen.
Josh Carter, Texas A&M: Great shooter from the outside, who doesn't do much else. Could find a home as 3-point specialist.
Alade Aminu, Georgia Tech: Is an active big, so he should get a look from someone in Summer League.
Wesley Matthews, Marquette: Matthews worked out with the Utah Jazz prior to the draft, so that may be a place he ends up playing for in Summer League.
Update: 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. (Sports Bubbler)
Luke Zeller, Notre Dame: Luke Zeller has been added to the Chicago Bulls summer-league roster. The 6-11 forward from Notre Dame, who wasn’t drafted Thursday, will be trying to make an NBA roster as a free agent. (Indianapolis Star)
Ben Woodside, ND State: The Minnesota Timberwolves have picked up another point guard: Ben Woodside. The North Dakota State point guard, who was not selected in Thursday’s NBA Draft, learned Friday that he will play for the Timberwolves in the NBA Summer League to be held July 10-19 in Las Vegas. (Inforum)
Tony Gaffney, UMass: Tony Gaffney never imagined he would say the words he said Friday. "I'm a Los Angeles Laker now. Hopefully, I can turn some heads,'' said Gaffney, the former University of Massachusetts men's basketball forward, who was been added to the Lakers' summer league team roster Friday. Gaffney grew up in Berkley. He has been a lifelong Boston Celtics fan. "I didn't tell the Lakers that,'' Gaffney said with a laugh. Gaffney was not taken in the NBA Draft Thursday. His agent, Sam Porter, said Friday that several teams had shown interest in the 6-foot-8 player as a free agent. Gaffney has not been offered a contract by the Lakers, but he is assured a place on their roster in the NBA's summer league, which will be held in Las Vegas from July 10-19. That alone shows the Lakers are taking him seriously, Gaffney said. (Mass Live)
Garrett Temple, LSU: In the end, the former LSU guard chose the Houston Rockets’ summer league team in Las Vegas, and he announced the decision on Twitter Friday afternoon. Three other teams — Portland, Oklahoma City and Golden State — had also promised him a spot on a summer team. “I just felt like the Rockets were the best situation,” Temple told the News-Star on Friday. “They sounded pretty interested on the phone. They were very animated and just made a great pitch about it, and they really seemed very interested.” (The News Star)
Jimmy Baron: Baron apparently was high on Portland's radar after working out for them last week, but the Trail Blazers opted for high-scoring guard Patrick Mills from St. Mary's (Calif.) with the 55th pick of the draft. Both Baron and Efejuku hope to make an NBA squad's summer league team and go from there. Baron's workout coach and Cranston native Rob McClanahan said that playing overseas is an option for Baron, which is likely an option for Efejuku as well. "The odds [were] against him getting drafted but at the same time he had done pretty well at [NBA] workouts," McClanahan said. " . . . Hopefully he'll play summer league and then maybe go overseas." (ProJo Sports)
Update: Baron will be playing for the Utah Jazz in Summer League: Also expected to participate in camp are former Jazz training camp invitee Kevin Lyde, Utah Flash players Andre Ingram and Kevin Kruger, and former Utah State Aggie Gary Wilkinson. The rest of the roster includes former NBA players James Augustine, Cedric Bozeman and Justin Reed, in addition to rookies Jim Baron, Josh Duncan, Wes Mathews, Reyshawn Terry and Larry Turner. (NBA.com)
A.D. Vassallo: Andrew Vye, the agent for former Virginia Tech star A.D. Vassallo, said Friday that Vassallo will play for the Chicago Bulls' summer-league team next month in Las Vegas. Vassallo was not taken in the NBA draft on Thursday. Chicago was one of the teams that had brought Vassallo in for a workout earlier this month. If AD does well in Vegas, the Bulls could invite him to their preseason camp this fall. (Roanoke.com)
Alex Ruoff: Former West Virginia University guard Alex Ruoff will be heading to Washington and will be playing in a summer league for the Wizards.
Ruoff did not hear his name called during the NBA draft on June 25th and has yet to sign a contract in the pros. But he will still try to make a name for himself in Nevada. West Virginia's former guard will play on the Washington Wizards' summer league team with 12 to 15 other guys. (WOWKTV)
Connor Atchley: Will be playing for the Golden State Warriors in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Diamon Simpson: Former Saint Mary’s men’s basketball players Diamon Simpson and Patrick Mills will compete in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Simpson will play for the Washington Wizards, while Mills will play for the Portland Trailblazers. The 2009 NBA Summer League will begin on Friday, July 10 and run through Sunday, July 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the UNLV campus. Simpson, who finished his Saint Mary’s career as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds, blocks, and steals, will continue his pursuit for an NBA contract on Tuesday, July 14 when the Wizards take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. at the Thomas and Mack Center. Simpson and the Wizards will play five games during the nine-day event. (SMC Gaels)
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