10 Undrafted Rookies Who Will Be On NBA Rosters This Fall
With Summer League now officially over, NBA teams are beginning to hand out training camp invites. While first-round picks have guaranteed contracts, and second-round picks are almost always assured invites to training camp, the undrafted rookies who partook in Summer League now must wait for the phone to ring allowing them to creep another step closer to being on an NBA roster. Here are 10 undrafted rookies who will be suiting up for an NBA team this fall:
1. JEREMY LIN
Lin put on an impressive display during the Vegas Summer League. He showed off his all-around skills which include a high basketball IQ, a good outside shot, and fearlessness on the court. While Lin’s Summer League team, the Mavericks, probably don’t have a need for him with Jason Kidd, Rodrigue Beaubois, Jose Juan Barea and Dominique Jones on the roster, some team (the Lakers have shown interest) will find a spot for him.
2. JON SCHEYER
In my opinion, Scheyer fell into a great situation. He went undrafted but signed to play with the Heat in Summer League. Now that the Heat have signed the Big Three of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they need minimum salary guys to fill out the roster. With point guard being their biggest question mark, Pat Riley & Co. were surely impressed with Scheyer’s shooting ability and basketball savvy this summer.
3. SCOTTIE REYNOLDS
Reynolds was invited to Phoenix mini-camp yesterday, and he will likely stick with the Suns. He is a solid point guard who makes his teammates better, and fits in well with the Suns’ style of offense. With Leandro Barbosa gone as a guy who could play point, that leaves Steve Nash and Goran Dragic as the only true PGs in Phoenix. Expect Scottie to be the third one.
4. OMAR SAMHAN
I read a great article the other day about Samhan that talks about how he has been constantly overlooked because he doesn’t have the physical attributes other players do. Samhan’s game is based mainly on skill particularly areas of the game like footwork. He doesn’t jump the highest or run the fastest, but Samhan gets the job done which he showed for Dallas by averaging 10 points and seven rebounds for them this summer.
5. BRIAN ZOUBEK
Zoubek has a partially-guaranteed contract from the Nets that ensures him a training-camp invite. Even if he doesn’t stay with the Nets, Zoubek will find a home. He was one of the most efficient rebounders in all of college basketball last season, and rebounding is the skill I believe translates easiest from college to the NBA. Any team with a size and rebounding deficiency could use Zoubek.
6. BEN UZOH
Like Zoubek, Uzoh also has a partially-guaranteed contract with the Nets. He has great size for a point guard and also possesses the ability to knock down the three. Uzoh shot over 46 percent from the field in Summer League, and showed good all-around ability. He can be a solid third point-guard somewhere.
7. SYLVEN LANDESBERG
Had Landesberg stayed in school another year he probably would have been a first-rounder in next year’s Draft. Landesberg played with the Kings this summer, and while he was overshadowed by teammates Donte Green, Omri Casspi and DeMarcus Cousins, he quietly carved out a nice summer. He averaged just under 10 points per game on 46 percent shooting, and showcased his wide range of abilities: ball-handling, and mid-range shooting among them.
8. SAMARDO SAMUELS
Samuels should have stayed at Louisville for another season, but he left early and is fighting for a spot like the rest of these guys. He has a ton of potential and ability, and averaged 12.6 points (57 percent shooting) and 7.4 rebounds for the Bulls. Despite some attitude issues, teams are always willing to take a risk on big guys with talent like Samuels.
9. MIKHAIL TORRANCE
Torrance didn’t play at all for the Heat Summer League team because of an injury so he is at a disadvantage because of that. However, Torrance is a big point guard who can be a distributor or a scorer depending on what his team needs. He plays great in transition, and also excels at creating his own shot. A heart ailment has teams concerned about him, but at the end of the day his talent will get him a roster spot.
10. SHERRON COLLINS
I’m surprised that Collins didn’t get drafted. He is a player who is a proven winner, great leader and most importantly, a solid player. He shot over 55 percent while averaging over 12 points for Charlotte in Summer League, and displayed the toughness and smarts that made him so successful at the college level. A playoff team would be smart to sign him.
What do you think? Would you want any of these guys on your team? Is there someone we missed?
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July 20th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
asmaticasiatic02 says:
I’m pulling for J.Lin; first full blooded asian born that was raised in America to make the NBA; regardless of race Lin has a solid game and can hopefully get a back up position or maybe go overseas to improve his game….
July 20th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
The Other Aj says:
Scheyer is actually a great fit for the heat…
July 20th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
BigSteve1537 says:
What about Matt Bouldin, he’s a buddy of mine and i’ve been checkin him out this summer. He didn’t WOW anybody but he was solid. his only issue would be that he is a defensive liability. He should be on somebody’s nba squad next season.
July 20th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Dan says:
I like Scheyer on the heat. Doesnt it ruin his chances though because he got hurt the second game.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Daniel Marks says:
@3
Bouldin is a good all-around player but he doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, and in the NBA the guys i mentioned above have 1 skill that can set them apart and that’s how most guys stick in the League.
For instance Eddie House all he does is shoot but that’s kept him in the League for awhile
July 20th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Poor Man's Commish says:
Samhan already signed with a team in Lithuania.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Skeez says:
Im pulling for Matt Janning from my alma mater. Lets go Huskies!!! If Janning makes suns roster Im buying league pass just for Suns-Mavs games. Barea v. Janning – should be an epic battle of backups, lol.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
haslem says:
what about Sofoklis Skortsianitis?
July 20th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Stunnaboy09 says:
Scheyer may join Wes Mathews as the luckiest undrafted rookie ever. He could end up playing significant minutes for a championship contender.
I really hope J-Lin makes it, forget race kid can play and would be a travesty for him to go anywhere else but the NBA.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Enrique says:
The Golden State Warriors should pickup Jeremy Lin. He is smart enough and athletic to run a guard heavy offense. He’ll go up and down the court. The fanbase will love him and so will Nellie. Plus they lost CJ Watson, but I’m sure a lot of nba teams are running to grab Lin.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
PN says:
Jerome Dyson might be able to impress a few teams during summer league. Hes not incredibly skilled, but he plays good defense and plays hard (usually…). I think he had about 20 pts for the Cavs the other night.
July 20th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Daniel Marks says:
@8
The Clippers own the rights to him as they drafted him in the 2nd round way back when, so he’s not an undrafted player
July 20th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
JR says:
Jeremy Lin to the Lakeshow! Lets hope he aint Sun Yue 2.0
July 20th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Sam says:
This is false information on Torrance. He did NOT have any injury & did the best at practice during practice for summer camp with the heat. He was released the day before traveling to summer camp because of that common heart condition. Great move by the heat so that he couldn’t have time to sign with another team and do great once again. His circumstance is messed up, but I’m sure a team will pick him up soon. Crazy if they don’t.
July 20th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
K Dizzle says:
Still can’t believe Reynolds and Collins didn’t get drafted. Dudes build up 4 year resume of continuous improvement and then GMs base their draft on the last game……weak.
Watchin those two in summer league, they are NBA point guards and are natural leaders. We’ll be discussin that they got bypassed for a bit after the season starts.
July 20th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Pudge says:
I hope Mikey Torrence gets an opportunity to play somewhere. He’s really gotten the short end of the stick since this heart ailment issue came up..
July 21st, 2010 at 12:05 am
Frank says:
Scheyer wont make the heat. Schyer is wack. Jeremy Lin & Landesberg will be the only ones from this list picked up. I also think Cousins was a way more efficent rebounder than Zoubek
July 21st, 2010 at 1:11 am
dime says:
Edgar Sosa,Cartier Martin I believe,Deron Washington, Lester Hudson, Sean Singletary, Weyme Efejuku, Mustapha Shakur, Xavier Henry & Scottie Reynolds LOL. I tell you when people like or know you your’re good even if you’re bad.
Jeremey LIn is awesome & should have been drafted. Coby Karl & Patrick Ewing Jr also deserve spots on teams this year. Jeff Adrien as well should make a roster on size & toughness alone. Sherron Collins is definitely a N.B.A. guard. As well as Devin Downey. It was funny to me how many undrafted players faired much better than the supposed lottery picks. They all looked overhyped.
It’s funny drafting on potential. The GM’s & scouts want players who may be good in a few years or supposedly great. Rather than the players who’ve proven & showed what they’re capable night in & out. What bull#$^%.
I know I’m missing a few overall summer league was bad because most teams didn’t have a PG who could efficiently run a set. That hinders mostly everybody on the roster trying to make the team.
July 21st, 2010 at 6:10 am
Guitar Hero says:
I like Samhan as an offensive big off the bench…he´s an old school guy.
Some teams could use him for 10 min a game, for sure.
July 21st, 2010 at 6:24 am
TAZ says:
Landry Fields would have been undrafted if Isiah Thomas
didn’t have sole picktothe Knicks 2nd , 2nd Rounder.
This Kid is our next John Starks!
July 21st, 2010 at 11:01 am
lol says:
lol, omar samhan signed a contract for 2+1 with team in Lithuania…
July 21st, 2010 at 11:32 am
KnicksFan says:
SHerron Collins is wack!!!!!
July 21st, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Yanni C says:
The following played summer ball and have a solid chance of sticking … Art Parahouski ( Boston) , Mac Koshwal ( Det), Ishmael Smith ( Houst), Aubrey Coleman ( Hornets) & Wayne Chism ( Sac).
July 21st, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Da_Griff says:
Anyone know what’s happening to AJ Ogilvy? I’d have thought he’d be a solid showing at some camp or other.
July 21st, 2010 at 9:48 pm
icey says:
miami needs to pick up J.Lin asap….!!
July 28th, 2010 at 1:59 am
tc says:
@17 obviously you are a Duke hater (whats new) real bball players respect whats proven right in front of them both of them worked hard at Duke improved year by year and Big Z is signed …and Schyer is a great shooter which in case you didnt know is the point of this game…smart guy…and when you come from a system like coach K has at Duke he demands nothing less than improvement practice after practice game after game…so hate on haters one word sums it up…CHAMPIONSHIP….anyways to all the real bball fans on here there are a few players i would like to see in the league also reynolds, collins amongst a few others…picking in the draft is a crazy thing lol