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NBA summer league has ended, and a three former Hokies got a chance to play against NBA competition. Here’s a rundown of each Tech player’s performance in the NBA summer league...
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The first Virginia Tech player to be drafted in the first round since Del Curry; and just the second ever, put on a show in the summer league. After missing the first two games, while waiting on his trade to finalize, he took the league by storm. The effort got him selected to the NBA Summer League First Team and even got a whiff of MVP honors.
Stats: 24.3 ppg; 4.8 rpg; 6.0 apg; 2.8 spg; 0.8 bpg (in four games)
Among all players in the summer league, Nickeil finished third in scoring (first and second played two or less games), fifth in assists, and fifth in steals. In his first NBA action he looked bigger, faster, and more decisive than he did in college. His last few months in the gym helped. His game was better refined; and his confidence seemed to be at an all-time high. If he takes that intensity, decision making, and confidence from the summer league into the regular season, he could be playing quite a lot for the Pelicans.
Justin Robinson
Justin Robinson was signed by the Wizards as an undrafted free agent to a three year deal with a good size guarantee. In the summer league for Washington, he gave them valuable minutes and showed the same level of confidence he had at Virginia Tech. There is a challenge ahead for him, though, Washington also signed a couple of veteran point guards this offseason. That just means Justin will be fighting to get playing time, but will allow him to get some solid mentoring in his rookie season.
Stats: 8.0 ppg; 4.0 rpg; 4.0 apg; 1.6 apg; 0.2 bpg (in five games)
Robinson had a really good game to start off before having some less flashy box scores; but still managed solid efforts. He did his usual thing of orchestrating the offense and attacking when necessary. His play earned him a roster spot, and with more play like that it could earn him minutes in the regular season.
Ahmed Hill
After being undrafted, Ahmed Hill was signed to a summer league roster by the Nets. In just 18 minutes per game, Hill gave Brooklyn a lot of solid shooting and good defense. His number won’t wow you, but his numbers and his athleticism could land Ahmed a roster spot come the start of the season.
Stats: 6.8 ppg; 2.3 rpg; 0.5 apg; 0.3 spg; 0.2 bpg (in six games)
Hill did his usual thing and made a few nice plays here and there. As of now he is still unsigned, but that could change any day.
As the NBA season gets closer we’ll hopefully have a feel for how the season will look for these guys. Alexander-Walker and Robinson will look to earn more and more time while Hill looks for a roster spot.