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Rosters have been announced for the NBA Summer League. Former Colorado Buffaloes Derrick White and George King are on the Summer League rosters for the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns, respectively.
White and King both have something to prove this summer and they will ensure that they make the most of this opportunity.
White was selected by the Spurs with the 30th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. White played 24 games in his rookie season and averaged 3.2 points in 8.2 minutes per game. He saw limited action because he missed a good portion of the season with a wrist injury, and also because the Spurs wanted him to develop in the G League with as the Austin Toros’ main facilitator. Now in the Summer League, White will likely lead the Spurs as he attempts to prove himself capable of leading bench units. The Spurs are touted for their player development — especially for guards — and his improvement could important for them as Tony Parker continues to age.
King made the Suns’ roster after having been selected with the 58th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. King’s selection was somewhat of a surprise, even to us, but he does have NBA-quality skills and should be able to find a role in the league as a 3-and-D forward. Despite having the worst record in the NBA last season, the Suns have a formidable wing rotation that King will attempt to bust through. For the small forwards on the roster, it’s hard to see King moving ahead of Josh Jackson, 10th pick Mikal Bridges and free agent addition Trevor Ariza. Power forward is much thinner as King only has to outplay Marquesse Chriss, Jared Dudley and Alec Peters. It will be an uphill climb King, but that hasn’t deterred him before.
Unfortunately, White and King are the only former CU players in the Summer League. Spencer Dinwiddie graduated the league when he proved himself with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Alec Burks, still with the Utah Jazz, hasn’t played in the Summer League for years. Askia Booker, Josh Scott and Xavier Johnson were all on rosters last year, but none of whom warranted an invite this summer. Booker played for the Delaware 87ers last season, but the 76ers passed on him to test out undrafted rookies. Xavier Johnson played with the Texas Legends in 2017-18, but the Dallas Mavericks passed on him as well. Josh Scott is already signed with the Ryuku Golden Kings in Japan’s B.League, and it looks like he will make his career abroad for the time being.