The 2019 NBA Draft is in the books, we are excited to watch our former Wildcats play in the NBA Summer League.
Last year the focus of the NBA Summer League was on UCLA’s PG Lonzo Ball who was playing for former Wildcat Jud Buechler on the Lakers. The focus seemed mainly on what shoes he would wear and but also obviously his performance and his father’s projections. Another focus for fans was on a Chinese player Ding Yanyuhang who played for Dallas. He played with such heart, everyone wanted him to score.
Lonzo, Jud, Gabe York and the Lakers ended up winning the tournament. Fans got to enjoy Kadeem Allen play for the Boston Celtics, Brandon Ashley play for the Dallas Mavericks and more.
This year, the slate will be full of Cats. And this year, there will only be one location for Summer League, Las Vegas, Nevada. The NBA decided to do away with the other tournaments like Orlando. Players could play for a different team in each League.
Arizona Wildcats Basketball
This season, players had to pick a team, but if players do not sign Two-Way agreements (it was reported by XX that Allonzo Trier signed one with the New York Knicks), or an Exhibit 10 agreement, they will play in Summer League and train with the NBA team they choose as a Free Agent and all the teams will have a look at them.
Here is a list of the players and their respective teams in alphabetical order. Please note not all of the summer league rosters are set, so we will be updating this post as we get new information:
- Kadeem Allen – Boston Celtics (2-year, two-way)
- Rawle Alkins – Toronto Raptors (Summer Camp)
- Deandre Ayton – Phoenix Suns (Drafted No. 1)
- Chance Comanche – Orlando Magic (Summer Camp)
- Lauri Markkanen TBD – Chicago Bulls (Second year NBA) – Lauri is currently playing for team Finland in the FIBA Qualifiers, so we don’t know if he will play yet.
- Kobi Simmons – Memphis Grizzlies (2-year, two-way)
- Allonzo Trier – New York Knicks (2-year, two-way)
Note: Nick Johnson is playing for Team USA and Dusan Ristic just pulled out of the Phoenix Suns Camp and we don’t know if he is also playing for his country or got a gig overseas or what.
Here is the schedule by day, by League with the Wildcats playing:
Utah Jazz – Airing on NBA TV
- July 2 – Hawks vs. Grizzlies (Kobi) 5 pm MST
- July 3 – Jazz vs. Grizzlies (Kobi) 7 pm MST
- July 5 – Grizzlies vs. Spurs (Kobi) 5 pm MST
California Classic (Sacramento) – Airing on NBA TV
- Warriors, Heat, Lakers, Kings compete – No Cats (except coaches)
Las Vegas – Airing on NBA TV
Friday, July 6
Cox Pavilion
2 p.m. – Brooklyn vs. Orlando (Chance) (NBA TV)
Thomas & Mack
12:30 p.m. – Toronto (Rawle) vs. New Orleans (ESPNU)
4:30 p.m. – Boston (Kadeem) vs. Philadelphia (ESPN)
6:30 p.m. – Dallas vs. Phoenix (Deandre) (ESPN)
Saturday, July 7
Cox Pavilion
6 p.m. – Detroit vs. Memphis (Kobi) (NBA TV)
8 p.m. – Boston (Kadeem) vs. Denver (NBA TV)
Thomas & Mack
2:30 p.m. – New York (Zo) vs. Atlanta (ESPN)
4:30 p.m. – Phoenix (Deandre) vs. Sacramento (ESPN)
6:30 p.m. – Chicago (Lauri TBD) vs. Cleveland (ESPN2)
Sunday, July 8
Cox Pavilion
12 p.m. – Minnesota vs. Toronto (Rawle) (NBA TV)
6 p.m. – Utah vs. New York (Zo) (NBA TV)
Thomas & Mack
6:30 p.m. – Memphis (Kobi) vs. Orlando (Chance) (ESPN2)
8:30 p.m. – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago (Lauri TBD) (ESPN2)
Monday, July 9
Cox Pavilion
4 p.m. – Charlotte vs. Boston (Kadeem) (ESPN2)
Thomas & Mack
12:30 p.m. – Toronto (Rawle) vs. Oklahoma City (NBA TV)
6:30 p.m. – Orlando (Chance) vs. Phoenix (Deandre) (NBA TV)
Tuesday, July 10
Cox Pavilion
3 p.m. – Atlanta vs. Chicago (Lauri TBD) (NBA TV)
Thomas & Mack
3:30 p.m. – Sacramento vs. Memphis (Kobi) (ESPN2)
5:30 p.m. – Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York (Zo) (ESPN2)
Must Read: More on Arizona Basketball from ZZ..
There you have it! It will be fun to see all the Tweets from all those experts when the Wildcats are playing and everyone finally has access to watch our players in person and on TV. Come join in on the fun! See you in Vegas!