Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com
May 10, 2007
The NBA Summer League enters its fourth summer in Las Vegas, July 6-15. Over the last three summers, many of the NBA’s top young players have participated in the league. The league started in 2004 with six teams and that number jumped to 16 in both 2005 and 2006. It has become the premier summer league and the talent level proves it.
To celebrate the fourth summer, vegassummerleague.com has compiled the All-Summer League First and Second Teams that represent Las Vegas’ best.
Note: The picks are that of PR Director Dennis Rogers and do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or the summer league.
FIRST TEAM
AMARE STOUDEMIRE, PHOENIX SUNS
Stoudemire played in the 2006 Vegas Summer League, averaging 20.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 29.7 minutes over three games. The NBA All-Star was rehabbing an injury that forced him to miss most of the 2005-06 season, but looked back to form and in tip-top shape during the summer.
DWIGHT HOWARD, ORLANDO MAGIC
The #1 overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft participated in two summer leagues (2004 and 2005), averaging 18.1 points and 10.5 rebounds in eight total games. The 2007 NBA All-Star looked the part from his first NBA action in the summer league.
KEVIN MARTIN, SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings’ sharpshooter appeared in two summer leagues, averaging 20.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in nine total games. Martin’s confidence was evident last summer, as he scored 20+ points in each of his four contests, before propelling into career year for the Kings during the 2006-07 season.
LEANDRO BARBOSA, PHOENIX SUNS
The speedy Suns guard, blazed past opponents during two summers of play (2004 and 2005), averaging 18.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in seven total games. Barbosa’s steady improvement each season has earned him the reputation of one of the fastest players in the league and one of the top scoring guards in the league. He was named the 2007 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
CHRIS PAUL, NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year got his NBA start in the 2005 Vegas Summer League after being taken with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft after two seasons at Wake Forest. The lauded point guard averaged 11.8 points, 5.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals in four games.
SECOND TEAM
BRANDON ROY, PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year displayed that he is a leader and star-in-the-making for the Blazers during his first NBA action at the 2006 Vegas Summer League. Roy averaged 19.0 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in four games, including a league-high 35 points in one contest.
RANDY FOYE, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The 2007 Vegas Summer League MVP put on a show for fans, averaging a league-high 24.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 32.8 minutes of play over five games. Foye scored 20+ points in four of five games and poured in 30 points in one contest.
AL JEFFERSON, BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics’ big man used his 2004 Vegas Summer League stint to improve his rebounding and post games. In five contests, Jefferson averaged 18.0 points and 7.4 rebounds.
RYAN GOMES, BOSTON CELTICS
The second round pick of the Celtics proved through two summer league appearances (2005 and 2006) that he belongs in the NBA. Gomes averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in nine total games.
CHRIS KAMAN, LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers’ center averaged 20.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 31.8 minutes of action over five games in the 2005 Vegas Summer League. Kaman displayed the rebounding and scoring abilities that the Clippers hope will continue as he remains their man in the middle.
MONTA ELLIS, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The 2007 NBA Most Improved Player got his first NBA action in the 2005 Vegas Summer League after being drafted in the second round out of Lanier High School in Jackson, MS. Ellis averaged 15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 31.2 minutes of play over five games.