.png)
Keep buying stock in Providence, now. It's a great day to be a Friar as Coach Ed Cooley always says. After a claiming the Big East regular season championship and marching to the Sweet 16 of the tournament, the Friars are starting to get some recognition in the NBA. I'm sure Coach is hyped to see Providence being represented in this years Summer League.
Justin Minaya landed with the Charlotte Hornets, after he averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Providence this season. He was considered one of the best defensive players in the league.
He will be playing alongside other forwards such as LiAngelo Ball, Connecticut's Isaiah Whaley, and Aubrun's JT Thor. With Miles Bridges situation currently a question mark, Minaya could elevate himself to provide forward depth.
AJ Reeves isn't going to far from home. Roxbury Native and the 2017 Gatorade Massachusetts player of the year signed a summer league deal with the Boston Celtics. The Friar guard put up 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc.
The Eastern Conference Finals winners have vast depth at guard, but if Reeves shows promise, he could land a two-way deal with ease.
David Duke Jr. makes his return with the Nets after Brooklyn tendered him a qualifying offer as a two-way player. After going undrafted, he landed with the Nets and played 22 games in the pros. In his rookie season, he averaged 4.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.6 steals in 15.5 minutes per game.
While part of the Nets G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, Duke shined in 13 games with averages of 16.2 points, 6.3 boards, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals in 29.5 minutes per outing.
He is expected to have a prominent role at Summer League with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot for the 2022-23 season. With news of Kyrie and KD wanting out,
In the meantime, Duke has been keeping fresh and playing with some of Rhode Island's best this past month.
Lastly, Kris Dunn is a surprising name that surfaced over the past couple days. The former 2016 5th overall pick has had quite the tumultuous journey. After being drafted by the Timberwolves, he was packaged with Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen off to Chicago for Jimmy Butler. He shined as a Bull before injuries derailed him, and after three seasons, he bounced around the league (Hawks, Celtics, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers).
He boasts a career average of 8.1 points per game on 42% shooting, with 3.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals. Dunn is prominently known for his defense around the league.
He recently participated in a three-day team minicamp with the hopes he demonstrated he’s healthy enough to earn a spot on a regular-season roster. Dunn won't be competing this summer, but he will be getting an opportunity to work with the group and in front of the Wizards brass. He could be a missing piece to help bolster their guard depth. Washington recently drafted Wisconsin's Johnny Davis with the 10th overall pick, and also acquired Monte Morris via a Nuggets trade.