Duke Basketball: Blue Devils in the 2017 Summer League

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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Luke Kennard (Duke) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number twelve overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Luke Kennard, Detroit Pistons

Kennard joins a small group of Summer League Pistons in Orlando. Also on the roster is Syracuse product Michael Gbinije and former Virginia center Mike Tobey. Gbinije played very little in Detroit before being assigned to the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons G-League affiliate. The 6’7″ guard has potential, but apparently did not prove his worth at the NBA level. Tobey has failed to make an NBA roster a year removed from NCAA competition, playing his first professional season in Spain.

All of this bodes well for Kennard as he is the only true prospect Detroit has on their summer league roster. He is going to have his hands on the ball a lot, which is great for him in the long-run. As a shooting guard at Duke, he expanded his game and improved his draft stock by handling the basketball. The best way to continue his development is to give him control of the offense in his first taste of post-collegiate ball.

Kennard will be part of the Summer League’s opening night action as the Thunder and Pistons wrap up the day’s action at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm ET and the game will be broadcasted on NBA.tv.

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