The Players Newsletter: Summer League

The Players Newsletter

This past week we talked about some of the recently drafted players.

After NBA players are drafted by their teams, they go through a series of steps before they officially join their respective teams. Here's a brief overview of the process:

1. Rookie Orientation Program: Shortly after the draft, the NBA holds a mandatory Rookie Orientation Program. This program provides incoming players with essential information about the league, its policies, financial education, media training, and other important aspects of being an NBA player.

2. Summer League: Many newly drafted players participate in the NBA Summer League, which takes place in July. It allows teams to evaluate their draft picks and undrafted players in a competitive setting. Summer League games provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a roster spot.

   

3. Training Camp and Preseason: Following the Summer League, teams invite their drafted players to training camp, where they join the veterans and other signed players. During this period, players engage in intense practices, scrimmages, and preseason games. The coaching staff evaluates their performance and determines the final roster.

4. Regular Season: Once the preseason concludes, the regular season begins. Players who make the final roster continue to compete and play games throughout the NBA season. Their roles and playing time may vary based on their skills, experience, and team dynamics.

Regarding undrafted players, their path to the NBA is a bit different. Here's an outline of what typically happens leading up to the NBA Summer League:

• NBA Draft: Undrafted players are those who were not selected by any team during the NBA Draft. However, being undrafted doesn't mean the end of their NBA aspirations (See article below)

  The most successful undrafted players in the NBA

  

• G League and International Opportunities: If undrafted players don't secure an NBA roster spot over the summer, they may have an opportunity to play in the NBA G League (the NBA's official minor league). It provides a platform to develop their skills, gain exposure, and potentially earn a call-up to the NBA. Additionally, some players explore opportunities to play professionally overseas, honing their skills and seeking a chance to attract NBA attention or build a career overseas.

Overall, the NBA Draft is just the beginning of a player's journey. Whether drafted or undrafted, players must continue to work hard, prove themselves, and seize opportunities to make their mark in the NBA or other professional leagues.

I want to talk a little more about Summer League, the environment, and my experience.

Summer League is an opportunity for players to showcase their abilities in front of all NBA teams. A player might be wearing a Miami Heat uniform, but a majority of the players in Summer League do not have a meaningful contract and are trying to catch the attention of any NBA team. Just because you are playing for Miami, does not mean that Minnesota isn’t watching you.

The Summer League is a big tryout for most of the players there.

Summer league was hard my first year (Philadelphia Sixers) because there were times the coach would tell me I’m not going to be in the rotation.

Meaning they don’t plan on using me which is so hard to hear as a competitor.

Being told I’m not going to play definitely affected my confidence. I did not have much of an opportunity to play.

Another summer, I was given much more of an opportunity to play and made the most of it. I had a good showing in the Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks. Which eventually led to them signing me.

The Corner 3 is a shot that every basketball player needs to be able to make. The Corner 3 has even been described as “the most important shot in basketball” because of the pressure it puts on the defense.

The Corner 3 of our newsletter will include:

• 1 Quote

• 1 Skill to Work on

• 1 Headline to Learn From

1 Quote:

Human nature is to become excited about some different things we are involved in.

What is something you have become enthusiastic about recently?

Consistency and endurance will be a major key to you succeeding in any endeavor.

Better ball handling skills can significantly improve a basketball player's overall game in several ways:

• Increased scoring opportunities: A player with better ball handling skills can create their shot more easily by dribbling past defenders and getting to the basket, resulting in more scoring opportunities.

• Improved passing: Good ball handling skills enable a player to move the ball more effectively, leading to more accurate and efficient passing.

• Better decision making: When a player has good ball handling skills, they can maintain better control of the ball, allowing them to make quicker and more informed decisions on the court.

1 Headline to Learn From: King Sign Kessler Edwards

Kessler Edwards was ready last season when his number was called. He is the perfect example of being ready when your number is called.

In sports, timing plays a major role in showcasing your abilities.

You need to always be ready for your opportunity.