Skyforce Firmly Established in Summer League
Multiple layers come into play for the NBA Summer League. Sioux Falls Skyforce alums also are looking to make their own impact for various reasons.
It may not fit the mold of other professional sports that have developmental components like OTAs in football or Rookie League in baseball. NBA Summer League is the first opportunity for recently drafted rookies to play for their respective teams, other players under contract to continue their development and for free agents to get noticed and compete for a slot in NBA training camp. Three summer sessions take place with the majority of teams entered in the Las Vegas league. Orlando has an eight-team cluster and Utah has four teams in their grouping.
Since the Skyforce and Miami Heat partnership is much closer than before, we will begin with the Heat’s draft pick Bam Adebayo who headlines the Summer League roster. There is no way of knowing at this point whether the energetic big man from Kentucky will grace the G League, but he is an example of who is on court during the extravaganza.
Okaro White is another familiar name on the Miami roster as a Skyforce alum who played on the Heat summer squad last year and worked his way to the big club. White fits that role as the second-year player who is trying to build on that foundation. Will one or more of the other eleven land in Sioux Falls? Only time will tell.
Other former Skyforce players fit that player under contract description. Briante Weber who was called up by Charlotte headlines the entry put forth by the Hornets. Both of last season’s Denver assignees Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez are expected to get some court time with the Nuggets.
Getting that NBA look involves seven others who have donned a Skyforce jersey. Jarnell Stokes and Bubu Palo are with Indiana. Luis Montero will do double duty with two teams (Dallas & Sacramento). Stefan Jankovic gets a look by Orlando. Larry Drew II once had two ten-day contracts with Philadelphia and is getting a Summer League chance. Finally Keith Benson and Patrick Miller were picked by Portland.
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