Nuggets add four to summer league roster
With the NBA draft in the books the Denver Nuggets now turn to the summer league. This year’s summer league will be held July 12th though 22nd in Las Vegas.It will be a tournament style event and we will see the first ever summer league champion crowned. Last years rookies Evan Fournier, Quincy Miller and Izzet Turkyilmaz will be joined by this year’s draft class Erick Green and Joffrey Lauvergne. Also joining the squad are recently announced players N.C. State forward Richard Howell, Sienna forward O.D. Anosike, Wake Forrest guard C.J. Harris and La Salle guard Ramon Galloway. Here is a little information those players trying to make the Nuggets roster. There will be some openings as the Nuggets only have 10 players under contract.
Denver Nuggets Summer League Schedule:
All time are Pacific Standard Time
Saturday July 13 7 PM — Denver vs. Milwaukee
Monday July 15 7:30 PM — Chicago vs. Denver
Tuesday July 16 7 PM — Denver vs. Washington
Mar 15, 2013; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried talks to forward Richard Howell (1) in the second half. The Wolfpack defeated the Cavaliers 75-56 during the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Howell
"Just got word ima have my shot wit the Denver Nuggets. I preciate that opportunity!! #savage Howell is a 6′ 7″ forward from N.C. State. He averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 rebounds in his senior year for the Wolfpack. Howell earned First Team All ACC honors and was fifth in the nation in rebounding. He compares his game to that of Brandon Bass. His strengths are toughness and ability to rebound but he needs to work on his jump shot."
(Jeremy Brevard, USA Today Sports)
C.J. Harris
"“I’m excited to have another opportunity to go out there and show what I can do and hopefully impress some scouts and make a team,” said Harris quote is from digtriad.com written by Wake Forrest Athletics"
Harris is 6’3″ combo guard out of Wake Forrest. He worked out twice for the Nuggets before the draft.He led the Deacons in scoring with 15.4 points per game during his senior season. Harris is a great free throw shooter with a career average of 84.3 percent which is something the Nuggets struggled with last season. Also, he is an excellent outside shooter who can also get to the rim. Harris was a three-year captain and has a high basketball IQ
Mar 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; La Salle Explorers guard Ramon Galloway (55) drives in for a basket against Mississippi Rebles forward Terry Brutus (25) in the second half during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at the Sprint Center. La Salle defeated Mississippi 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Ramon Galloway
"Blessed to have to opportunity to play for the Denver Nuggets for Vegas Summer League. Never count me… quote from twitter"
Galloway is 6’1″ guard from La Salle. He is originally from Palm Beach Gardens, FL and attended William T. Dwyer high school.He enrolled in South Carolina only to transfer after two years to La Salle. Galloway spent four years in college improving every year and capped his senior year off averaging 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Galloway can score and is not afraid to launch from the perimeter. He averaged 7 three-point attempts per game. The downside to his game is his size and strength.
Jan 4, 2013; Albany, NY, USA; Siena Saints forward O.D. Anosike (1) celebrates against the Iona Gaels during the second half at Times Union Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
O. D. Anosike
"“I’m just blessed and thankful for the opportunity,” Anosike quote from twitter @Anoskie_1“The organization is moving in a new direction with a new head coach and GM that wants to bring in young, exciting players,” said Anosike, “so I thought it would be the best fit” quote from 4 guys in blazers blog"
O. D. Anosike is 6’8″ forward from Sienna. His First name Oderah translates to “whatever God has written can never be taken away” in Nigerian. His sister Nicky Anosike, won two national championships with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and currently plays in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks. He has led the nation in rebounding for the past two years and ESPN’s Jay Bilas declared him the best rebounder in the nation. Anosike averaged 13.3 points per game and 11.4 rebounds in his senior campaign. He is strong and has an NBA body but is very limited offensively.
My Takeaways:
Based on these players I think the new coaching staff has identified two areas needed to improve the Nuggets. Backup point guard is obviously a concern and I don’t believe Julyan Stone will return. The Nuggets drafted Erick Green who can play the point and brought in Ramon Galloway and C.J. Harris. Harris worked out with the Nuggets before the draft and they must have seen something. All three of them can score and have good outside games. I don’t know if Galloway has the size or skills to make it in the NBA though. The other area of concern is the front court with McGee and Faried’s ability to play together and not be a liability. The Darrell Arthur trade helps but I think the Nuggets will look very hard at Howell and Anosike. They are both a little undersized but that seems to be the trend in forwards these days. Of the four of them I hope the Nuggets keep Anosike his game intrigues me and he is a monster on the glass.