Notre Dame Basketball: Summer League round up

The NBA Summer League concluded last night. Let’s take a look at how Notre Dame basketball alums faired.

Jerian Grant – Guard – Chicago Bulls

Grant was having just a decent summer before last where he capped it off in a big way. For the summer he only averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and only shot 34% from the field and 22% from three, but he saved his best performance for the Summer League Championship. In last night’s win over the Minnesota Timeberwolves Grant poured in 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and shot 9-19. His showing helped him garner MVP honors. Grant was traded to the Bulls as part of the Derrick Rose trade and was figured to compete for a starting position. That was until the Bulls went out and signed Rajon Rondo and Dwayne Wade. Now Grant will play a pretty prominent role off Chicago’s bench

Zach Auguste – Forward – Los Angeles Lakers

Auguste’s Summer League got off to a fast start as he averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in his first two games. His last two games didn’t go quite as well as he only tallied four points and five rebounds. In a total of four Summer League contests Auguste averaged 16 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.0 rebounds. It’s probably not likely Auguste sticks with the Lakers for the regular season, although I think he could provide a solid rebounding presence off the bench.

Jack Cooley – Forward – Chicago Bulls

Cooley played sparingly for the Bulls as he came off the bench and averaged only about 9.5 minutes a game. He was fairly productive in those 9.5 minutes though as he averaged 4.2 points and 4.4. rebounds. Cooley isn’t likely to stick with the Bulls for the regular season, but another team out there might be willing to give him a shot as some bench depth.

Demetrius Jackson – Guard – Boston Celtics

Jackson played for a Celtics Summer League team that was a little crowded at the guard position. Aside from Jackson, Boston had RJ Hunter, Terry Rozier and Marcus Thornton. In five games Jackson averaged 16 minutes, 5.2 points and 1.2 assists. If there was one thing about Jackson’s game that was questioned going into the draft it was his three point shooting. He silenced those critics in the Summer League as he shot better than 45% from beyond the arc. Since he did fall into the second round of the draft his roster spot is not protected, but he’ll most likely make the team. Playing time is a whole other question. Boston is loaded at the guard position with the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, so it might be tough sledding for Jackson to find some minutes. What might be better for Jackson’s development would be to spend a little time in the D-League.

Next: Pat Connaughton Throws Down Monster Dunk

Pat Connaughton – Guard – Portland Trail Blazers

Connaughton had a pretty productive summer as he averaged 14.4 points, but it wasn’t the most efficient. He only shot 34% from the field and a meager 28% from the arc. His once lauded three point shot seems to have regressed a little bit since leaving Notre Dame. The Trail Blazers recently signed guard Allen Crabbe to an extension. Crabbe was used as Portland’s guard off the bench last season, a spot Connaughton was thought to battle for, so finding minutes might be tough. Personally, I think it may be time to go back to baseball for Connaughton.