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The Summer League is in full swing and there are a bunch of former Big Ten players in action. Though this is not an NBA site, many of these former Big Ten players are fighting for a roster position in the Summer League. Success in the pros is highly related to a program's success, which makes the Summer League highly relevant for many of the programs in the Big Ten. Here are some of the highlights from the day.
We detailed the full Summer League rosters last week and now we are going to be following those players during their games this summer. Here are the highlights so far:
With that, let's take a look at how the Big Ten performed on this day of the Summer League.
2014 NBA Summer League Day 8 Stats
Atlanta Hawks
- Adreian Payne - Michigan State
- 30 mins, 12 pts, 7 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 1 stl
- 30 mins, 12 pts, 7 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 1 stl
Chicago Bulls
- Brandon Paul - Illinois
- Game 1 - DNP
- Game 1 - DNP
Denver Nuggets
- Gary Harris - Michigan State
- Game 1 - 34 mins, 33 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 0 blks, 2 stls
- David Lighty - Ohio State
- Game 1 - DNP
- Game 1 - 34 mins, 33 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 0 blks, 2 stls
- Game 1 - DNP
Golden State Warriors
- Aaron Craft - Ohio State
- Game 2 - 22 mins, 8 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Christian Watford - Indiana
- Game 2 - DNP
- Game 2 - 22 mins, 8 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 2 - DNP
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jordan Morgan - Michigan
- Game 1 - 12 mins, 2 pts, 1 reb, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Glenn Robinson III - Michigan
- Game 1 - 28 mins, 7 pts, 5 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 3 stls
- Game 1 - 12 mins, 2 pts, 1 reb, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 1 - 28 mins, 7 pts, 5 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 3 stls
New York Knicks
- Shannon Brown - Michigan State
- Game 2 - 14 mins, 12 pts, 1 reb, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Tim Hardaway, Jr. - Michigan
- Game 2 - 25 mins, 20 pts, 0 rebs, 0 asts, 1 blk, 0 stls
- Will Sheehey - Indiana
- Game 2 - 6 mins, 2 pts, 0 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 2 - 14 mins, 12 pts, 1 reb, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 2 - 25 mins, 20 pts, 0 rebs, 0 asts, 1 blk, 0 stls
- Game 2 - 6 mins, 2 pts, 0 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
Philadelphia 76ers
- Tim Frazier - Penn State
- Game 1 - 21 mins, 4 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 0 blks, 2 stls
- Game 1 - 21 mins, 4 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 0 blks, 2 stls
Phoenix Suns
- Alex Len - Maryland
- Game 1 - 25 mins, 6 pts, 6 rebs, 0 asts, 2 blks, 1 stl
- Game 1 - 25 mins, 6 pts, 6 rebs, 0 asts, 2 blks, 1 stl
Portland Trail Blazers
- Keith Appling - Michigan State
- Game 1 - DNP
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- Meyers Leonard - Illinois
- Game 1 - DNP
- Game 1 - DNP
- Game 1 - DNP
Toronto Raptors
- John Shurna - Northwestern
- Game 2 - 20 mins, 8 pts, 2 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 1 stl
- Game 2 - 20 mins, 8 pts, 2 rebs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 1 stl
Utah Jazz
- Trey Burke - Michigan
- Game 1 - 29 mins, 11 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
- Game 1 - 29 mins, 11 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 0 blks, 0 stls
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Day Eight Thoughts
First, here is my intro I am putting in each of these posts:
"Please insert a "grain of salt" warning with everyone of my statements regarding the Summer League. The competition is much different than your typical NBA regular or postseason game. Frankly, you just aren't going to run into your LeBron or Durant type of players in the Summer League. This means that there are some weaknesses in players that just don't get exposed in these type of scenarios. Having said that, there were a few things worth noting in the first two days of Summer League action."
Oh boy, another day full of Summer League action. For the Big Ten, it was a big one as its third and fourth highest Draft picks in 2014 debuted on their respective teams and they certainly had bright starts. Gary Harris put up a whopping 33 points in 34 minutes. Without a doubt, this was probably the best performance by any Big Ten player in the Summer League so far and in fact, it was the highest scoring game as well. Adreian Payne also had a big game with 12 points and 7 rebounds. There were some that felt he may have been the best looking player on Atlanta's Summer League squad so far. Most viewed him as a pro-ready prospect, so that's good news.
Like the Spartans, the Wolverines had a group of players in action on Saturday including the 2013 college basketball Player of the Year in Trey Burke. Burke did not get the most attention on Utah's team with Dante Exum getting his first action, so he had a bit of a quiet night. Tim Hardaway, Jr. had another big scoring night with 20 points. Right now, he is averaging 22.5 points per game. If he can keep up that pace, it could be a big summer for him. Glenn Robinson III and Jordan Morgan also made their debuts, but neither had a remarkable game.
A few notes on the other players. Aaron Craft may have had his best Summer League game of the year so far - he played in Orlando as well. Outside of these players, most of the guys had quiet nights, especially on Portland's squad where none of the Big Ten guys played. Tim Frazier also saw his first game action, which was nice to see. He will likely be fighting for a roster spot in the fall. Overall though, still a big day for the Big Ten.
Stay tuned to BTP for more Summer League posts and follow @tbeindit for updates.