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Syracuse Basketball: NBA Summer League could be final chance

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: A basketball is shown on the court during the championship game of the 2017 Summer League between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: A basketball is shown on the court during the championship game of the 2017 Summer League between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas /
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Several former Syracuse basketball stars will be participating in the annual NBA Summer League. Here’s why it could be the final chance for some.

We’ve been scouring the waiver wire for the label ‘Syracuse basketball’ on NBA Summer League rosters across the league. There were five names that came across our radar.

This list includes everything from A-Z. Former first round picks, former second round picks, and even the undrafted route. At the end of this article, we’ll provide the NBA Summer League schedule so you can keep track of all your former Orange stars.

But before we get there let’s discuss a couple of juicy nuggets here. First off Gbinije has earned a lot of Chase blue points with all the traveling he has been doing. He got drafted by the Detroit Pistons, jumped over to several different G-League teams, and now has a new chance with the Knicks.

Michael has versatility. He played forward at Duke, then became a point guard for the Cuse, and the veteran leadership he provides is invaluable. This is a new chance with the Knicks who have a ton of holes on the roster, if Gbinije can impress, he’ll have a new home, a little closer to Syracuse.

What about Lydon though?

While speaking of forwards the next one on this list had great success at Syracuse in Tyler Lydon. He was a first round pick, but didn’t get the playing time he thought he deserved in his rookie season. Then he had a serious knee injury that ended his season prematurely.

Although in the NBA, you have a very short window to impress, if you don’t, your career is over. Now Lydon will try to impress in a ‘crowded backfield’ so to speak. The Nuggets are absolutely loaded at forward. With Lydon’s shooting stroke, mid-range jumper, and intelligence could help him greatly.

North of the border…

Malachi Richardson was saved by the NBA gods when he was traded to the Toronto Raptors. Not because the Raptors are anything special (although they were the No. 1 seed in the East this past season), but at least it wasn’t the Sacramento Kings.

Now that King Mali is in a better situation, he has a chance to show what he did in his lone season at Syracuse. He showed a smooth step back jumper and the Raptors are about to hit the big shiny red button in the middle of the office to blow this thing up.

Which is actually good news for Richardson because that could create a new opportunity at the two guard spot.

Do we even claim the next guy?

That’s how a lot of Syracuse basketball fans feel on Chris McCullough, he played for 16 games for Syracuse before getting injured and jumping to the next level.

Despite the small sample size, Chris was still taken in the first round. He’s been doing something bouncing around lately, his latest fling is in the city of brotherly love. In Philadelphia he doesn’t have to be a star, he can just be a cog in the machine.

Finally…

Andrew White the third is one of my favorite former Orange stars and he only played one season at Syracuse. Although White’s lone season and McCullough’s are quite different. White had one of the best three point seasons in history.

Now he has a chance with the Atlanta Hawks after signing a two-way contract last season. It was initially announced that AW3 would play on the Hawks Summer League squad, but he wasn’t listed on the official roster release. ***UPDATE*** White will play for the Minnesota Timberwolves, per Syracuse.com (the schedule has been updated below).

NBA Summer League Schedule:

Andrew White III:

"Friday, July 6Minnesota (White) vs. Denver (NBA TV), 10 p.m. ETSunday, July 8Minnesota (White) vs. Toronto (NBA TV), 2 p.m. ETMonday, July 9Minnesota (White) vs. Brooklyn (ESPNU), 10 p.m. ET"

Tyler Lydon:

"Friday, July 6Denver (Lydon) vs. Minnesota (NBA TV), 11 p.m. ETSaturday, July 7Denver (Lydon) vs. Boston (NBA TV), 11 p.m. ETMonday, July 9Denver (Lydon) vs. Milwaukee (ESPNU), 9 p.m. ET"

Michael Gbinije:

"July 7: Knicks (Gbinije) vs. Atlanta Hawks, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)July 8: Knicks (Gbinije) vs. Utah Jazz, 9 p.m. ET (NBA TV)July 10: Knicks (Gbinije) vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)"

Malachi Richardson:

"Friday, July 6Toronto (Richardson) vs. New Orleans (ESPNU), 3:30 p.m. ETSunday, July 8Toronto (Richardson vs. Minnesota (NBA TV), 3 p.m. ETMonday, July 9Toronto (Richardson) vs. Oklahoma City (NBA TV), 3:30 p.m. ET"

Next: Which former Syracuse Basketball star has best chance at NBA stardom?

Chris McCullough:

"Friday, July 6Philadelphia (McCullough) vs. Boston (ESPN), 7:30 p.m. ETSaturday, July 7Philadelphia (McCullough) vs. LA Lakers (ESPN2), 11:30 p.m. ETMonday, July 9Philadelphia (McCullough) vs. Washington (NBA TV), 5:30 p.m. ET"

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