Apr 23, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jon Leuer (30) holds the ball away from Toronto Raptors center Solomon Alabi (50) during the second quarter at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Nuggets’ summer league team has some familiar faces, not-so familiar faces and some intriguing players.

We all know the trio of Jordan Hamilton, Julyan Stone and Kenneth Faried, who played for the Nuggets last season and will also enjoy their inaugural summer league after missing out on the affair last summer due to the NBA Lockout.

They will be joined by this year’s draft picks Evan Fournier, Quincy Miller and Izzet Turkyilmaz, as well as Jorge Guiterrez (who went undrafted in last month’s draft).

After that the intrigue sets in:

SOLOMON ALABI: Alabi will forever be connected to Masai Ujiri. He was one of the players that Ujiri discovered during his days as an international scout and was then acquired by Ujiri’s Toronto Raptors on draft night in 2010. The 7-foot-1 center is just oozing with talent. He has amazing physical features (7-1, 250 pounds) and is an intimidating presence on the defensive side of the ball. He was chosen to the All-ACC Defensive Team twice during his time at Florida State. More than anything his shot-blocking ability should help him find a spot in the NBA. He averaged 1.8 and 1.9 blocks during his two seasons in the D-League. According to reports, he has great foot speed and a very good motor. 

JOSH CARTER: Carter was one of the few players whose stock dropped for staying all four years in college. He went undrafted in the 2009 Draft and has since played overseas. His game is rather generic, he isn’t a great driver and isn’t too quick on his feet. However, he is a great shooter – especially from behind the arc. He has a great ability to get his shot over most defenders, thanks in part to his 6-7, 195-pound size. He is a long shot to make the roster, but playing well in the summer league may help.

DEMONTE HARPER: Meet the second best player on 2011 Morehead State’s basketball team (it’s pretty obvious who the best was). In fact, the 6-4 guard was second on the team in nearly every category except assists. Harper made a living in college with making big shots, hitting the game-winner against Louisville and then forcing overtime against Eastern Kentucky.

DERWIN KITCHEN: Kitchen was a 2011 graduate from Florida State and is a combo guard.

GANI LAWAL: Lawal is a extremely gifted big man, with great size and athleticism. At 6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, Lawal is a beast in the post who attacks the offensive glass. He combines that with a great motor and a want for the ball. Lawal is very raw though, which is a big reason why he lasted to the second round in the 2010 draft.

CHU CHU MADUABUM: Maduabum was another late pick by the Nuggets in the 2011 Draft and is nothing more than a prospect. Here is a quick clip of a few of his highlights in the Nigerian League.

March 9, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Jorge Gutierrez (2) during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes in the semi-final of the 2012 Pac 12 Tournament at the Staples Center. Colorado Buffaloes won 70-59. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Nuggets are slowly rounding out their summer league team, as they added former Cal guard Jorge Gutierrez to their summer roster.

Cal’s assistant basketball coach John Montgomery tweeted that the former Bears guard will play for Denver’s Summer League team.

Gutierrez is a combo guard, who is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds and averaged 13 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his final season for Cal.

Gutierrez makes his living on the defensive side of the ball, where he is a pest to opposing guards. He was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, as well as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Gutierrez is known for his toughness and basketball IQ. Just the type of player that George Karl likes.

He’ll join Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton and Julyan Stone, who all are playing in the Summer League after playing for the Nuggets last season.

The NBA Summer League is held in Las Vegas and goes from July 13 to 22.

The Nuggets are also hoping that recently drafted Evan Fournier, Quincy Miller and Izzet Turkyilmaz will also play. Details are still getting worked out with Fournier.

Last year’s draft pick, Chukwudiebere Maduabum may also play.