UCLA Basketball: Where will last year’s Bruins play in the 2017 NBA Summer League?
By Connor Hope
There are five players from UCLA basketball’s team last season playing in the Summer League. Where will these former Bruins be playing?
After UCLA’s high octane offense carried the Bruins into the Sweet Sixteen, each of the five players in the Summer League has a real chance at making an NBA roster. For these players, their athleticism and offensive capabilities make them a fit for the current landscape of the NBA.
PG Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers: After trading away D’Angelo Russell for Brooke Lopez, it was clear they would pursue a point guard in the draft. Lonzo Ball, the Bruins’ floor general and NCAA assist leader, was picked second overall by the Lakers, who will play in Vegas. Ball averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.8 steals for the Bruins last season.
PF TJ Leaf, Indiana Pacers: With the 18th overall pick, the Pacers selected the Bruins stretch forward TJ Leaf, who shot 46.6% from deep. Leaf was efficient on both ends of the floor, averaging 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. The Pacers will be playing in Orlando.
C Ike Anigbogu, Indiana Pacers: With their second round pick (47th overall), the Pacers selected Leafs teammate, big man Ike Anigbogu. The bulk of Anigbogu’s work last season was done on the defensive end, where he averaged a team high 1.2 blocks despite playing only 13 minutes per game.
SG Isaac Hamilton, Indiana Pacers: Another Bruin joining the two big men on Indiana’s Summer League roster is guard Isaac Hamilton. Hamilton had played three excellent seasons at UCLA, averaging over 10 points and 2.5 assists each year.
SG Bryce Alford, Golden State Warriors: The final Bruin in the Summer League is three-point specialist and head coach’s son, Bryce Alford. Shooting at a 43% clip from deep, Bryce Alford led the Bruins offense with 116 made threes on the year. Alford will be playing for the Warriors in Vegas.
Next: Which Gonzaga players are in the Summer League?
The three drafted Bruins can feel safe about making their respective rosters: Lonzo as an instant starter, Leaf as a rotational piece, and Anigbogu as a bench player. Alford and Hamilton, however, will need to impress in order to make a roster, after which they will most likely alternate between the NBA and the G-League.