NBA Summer League: Illinois Player Update

Illinois basketball has some former players wanting to make an NBA team this season so they are playing in the NBA summer league. Here is an update on how former Illini players are faring thus far this summer.

Nnanna Egwu (Orlando Magic Blue Team)

Game 1

Egwu signed on to play in the Orlando Magic summer league. He actually received the starting nod at center for the Magic Blue team the first game of the league.

In the only game that the Blue team has played Egwu didn’t perform well. He played just over 31 minutes in the game but only went 1-3 from the field.

Egwu wasn’t known for his scoring at Illinois but he could rebound. In this game he didn’t rebound well either. He managed to pull down three total boards.

Egwu finished the game with a stat line that showed 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 fouls.

The Blue team is filled with a bunch of familiar faces. Egwu plays alongside Drew Crawford who suited up for Northwestern. He also is on the same team as Devyn Marble who played for Iowa. The Big Ten is represented well on this team.

Game 2

Egwu struggled one again despite getting the starting nod again. The Blue team lost 65-73 against the Oklahoma City Thunder squad.

In the just under 18 minutes Egwu played he didn’t shoot the ball and had zero rebounds and assists. The only stats he racked up in that time frame are 2 fouls and 1 turnover.

The summer league has been rough thus far for Egwu but there is still time left.

Game 3

The third game of the summer league for Egwu proved to be on the same track as the previous two games.

Egwu got the start for the third straight time but failed to impress. He played only 16 minutes this time and still managed to score zero points.

He finished the game with a stat line that showed 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, and 4 fouls.

Egwu continues to struggle but hopefully Orlando continues to keep in the lineup.

Game 4 (July 9th)

Ewgu was finally benched for this game probably due to the lack of production. He did see a solid 14 minutes though.

In those 14 minutes he played he was actually pretty productive.

Egwu scored 2 points but also had 2 steals and 5 rebounds. This was his best game by far in this summer league.

Maybe Egwu does have a role in the NBA as high energy bench player.

Game 5 (July 10th)

In game 5 Egwu earned the starting role back and was phenomenal. He dropped 11 points and added another 11 rebounds.

Egwu having a double-double in his 5th game is huge for his confidence and it shows he can play basketball.

The previous 4 games were a struggle but it looks like maybe this was his breakout game.

Rayvonte Rice (Chicago Bulls)

The Las Vegas summer league has not started yet. Rice will be suiting up for the Chicago Bulls starting on July 11^th when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves and new addition Karl Anthony-Towns.

Rice failed to be drafted, but soon after he picked up an invitation to join the Bulls for the summer league. While this isn’t as good as being drafted at least he has a lifeline to try to make the league.

Egwu and Rice are two players from Illinois that are going to attempt to stick in the NBA. The only player that has been able to have an extended career in the NBA has been Deron Williams, who is currently with the Nets. If they make a team that could go a long way in proving John Groce can produce NBA talent.

Game 1 (July 11th)

Rice did not play in this game.

Game 2 (July 12th)

Rice finally saw some minutes in game 2 of the Chicago Bulls summer league. He played 10 productive minutes for the Bulls.

In those 10 minutes he was 1-5 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line. He ended the game with 4 points and 2 rebounds.

This was not a terrible first game for Rice. He is just getting acclimated to the fast pace of the NBA and will pick it up soon.

Look for him to really blossom in the games ahead.

Game 3 (July 14th)

In Rice’s 3rd game as a Chicago Bull he only saw 5 minutes of action. In those 5 minutes he was extremely productive though.

While Rice didn’t manage to score a point he still pulled down 4 rebounds and dished out 2 assists.

This was a good game for Rice to show the NBA teams that he is a multi-dimensional player.

Game 4 (July 18th)

Rice received some action in the most recent summer league game for the Chicago Bulls. He played 7 total minutes and didn’t put up very many statistics.

In those 7 minutes he managed to get 2 rebounds and 2 fouls on 0-1 shooting from the field.

The lack of playing time is really smothering Rice’s playing ability. He is way too good to be only playing 7 minutes. Look for him to get more playing time and really show NBA teams what kind of game he has.

Next: Illinois Makes Doak Walker Award List

More from Writing Illini

Home/Illinois Fighting Illini