Who is playing where this summer?
A look at where some of the players we have covered in The Big East and the New England preps are playing in the NBA summer leagues.
After he went undrafted last week, David Duke announced that he was signing on with the Brooklyn Nets’ summer league team. He will be joining a crowded roster. The Nets selected four players in the 2021 draft, including Creighton point guard Marcus Zegarowski, who played against Duke at both the college and prep levels.
The Nets drafted LSU guard Cameron Thomas in the first round (27th overall) after the 19 year old averaged over 23 points per game for the Tigers.
With the 44th pick in the draft, Brooklyn drafted 6’8 Kessler Edwards from Pepperdine, then took Zegarowski 49th, and RaiQuan Gray, a big body from Florida State, with the 59th pick.
The Nets also traded for University of North Carolina center Day’Ron Sharpe, who Phoenix selected 29th overall.
Can Duke get enough touches among this group to make any NBA GMs regret passing on him? We’ll find out next week.
Duke will be the only former Friar playing in either summer league this year, but there will be plenty of familiar faces for those who watch the Big East closely, or have followed our New England recruiting coverage in the past.
Update on 8/5: Providence grad Alpha Diallo has accepted an invite to the Phoenix Suns’ summer league roster.
Here is a rundown:
Boston Celtics: Former Notre Dame forward Zach Auguste will play for Boston as a free agent. Auguste was a PC recruit, and AAU teammate of Ricky Ledo, who played against Providence several times before the revamped Big East began in 2013. Auguste is a Massachusetts native. The Celtics have signed Sam Hauser to a two-way contract. The sharpshooter played at Virginia last year, but spent most of his career at Marquette. Given his size and shooting ability, Hauser is worth a look.
Charlotte Hornets: Charlotte drafted UConn guard James Bouknight 11th overall, and their summer league unit will also feature Marquette point guard DJ Carton (signed to an Exhibit 10 contract), and Creighton wing Denzel Mahoney.
Chicago Bulls: Simi Shittu was considered a lottery-level talent while prepping at Vermont Academy.
Dallas Mavericks: Before transferring to Oregon, LJ Figueroa lit it up at St. John’s.
Denver Nuggets: Semaj Christon flashed as a Kris Dunn type while at Brewster Academy before playing a key role for Xavier.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers gave invites to former UConn center Amida Brimah, as well as one-time USC big Bennie Boatwright. Providence recruited Boatwright before seeing him twice in the NCAA Tournament. Indiana also drafted Oregon guard Chris Duarte, who scorched his way through a few events in Rhode Island while attending Redemption Christian Academy.
Los Angeles Lakers: Former Big East foes Romaro Gill (Seton Hall) and Mac McClung (Georgetown) were given invites from the Lakers.
Memphis Grizzlies: Romeo Weems left DePaul after his sophomore year, but went undrafted last week. The former top 75 recruit did manage to land an Exhibit 10 contract with Memphis, however.
Miami Heat: The Heat will welcome a pair of “veterans” to summer league play in former DePaul sniper Max Strus and one-time Georgetown big Omer Yurtseven. Strus is quite a story, having started his college career at D-II Lewis University before making his way to the NBA. He has played for both the Heat and Chicago Bulls. Strus also signed a two-way contract with the Celtics coming out of DePaul.
Milwaukee Bucks: The champs drafted versatile Seton Hall forward Sandro Mamukelashvili in the second round last week. They’ve also invited one-time UConn big man Steven Enoch to their summer league roster.
New York Knicks: Justin Patton exploded onto the scene in his one season with Creighton, but the former first round pick has yet to make his mark in the NBA. He will play for the Knicks this summer.
Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC used one of their endless array of picks on Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl last week — taking him in the second round.
Philadelphia 76ers: Creighton shooter Mitch Ballock received an invite from the Sixers.
Sacramento Kings: Creighton has yet another player suiting up this summer, as Damien Jefferson got an invite from the Kings, giving the Jays five former players taking part in summer league action.
Toronto Raptors: There was a time when Jalen Adams seemed like a priority for Providence, but the Cushing Academy turned Brewster guard ended up at UConn. Adams has been unable to crack an NBA roster, but will be remembered locally as one of the most clutch prep players in recent history.
Phoenix Suns: As noted above, Alpha Diallo will suit up for the Suns this summer. Former Vermont Academy and Xavier big Tyrique Jones also received an invite from the Suns.
Orlando Magic: The Magic will welcome former URI point guard Jeff Dowtin, as well as Ignas Brazdeikis, who teamed with Kalif Young at powerhouse Orangeville Prep in Canada before going to Michigan.