By PATRICK WALSH
Jeenathan Williams (UPrep) and Jalen Pickett (Aquinas) are set to begin NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas with their respective organizations, with the first set of games beginning on Friday.
Williams is entering his second year of service in the Summer League. The former University at Buffalo forward was a part of the Utah Jazz’s Summer League squad last summer. Williams averaged 12.8 minutes, 5.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist during five games. Towards the end of the 2022-23 NBA season, Williams signed a two-year, $1.77 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers after averaging 14.4 points per game in G League action. Williams averaged 22 points per game at UPrep before transferring to Prolific Prep in Napa, California for his senior season.
Pickett is making his NBA Summer League debut with the champion Denver Nuggets after being drafted 32nd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Pickett, a Consensus All-American, averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 boards and 6.6 assists per game while leading Penn State to their first NCAA tournament berth since 2011 and a first round upset over No. 7 Texas A&M. During his high school career, Pickett led the Aquinas Li’l Irish to their first state title in 2016 and was named Tournament MVP. The Nuggets and Pickett agreed to a four-year, $8.3 million contract with the first three years being fully guaranteed on Wednesday.
Portland matches up against Houston (July 7, 7:00 PM), San Antonio (July 9, 8:00 PM), Charlotte (July 11, 8:30 PM) and Orlando (July 13, 9:00 PM). The Houston matchup will be aired on ESPN, the Hornets on NBA TV and the San Antonio and Orlando contests on ESPN 2.
Denver faces Milwaukee (July 7, 5:00 PM), Atlanta (July 9, 9:30 PM), Utah (July 12, 9:30 PM) and Miami (July 14, 9:00 PM). The Nuggets open action on ESPNU, then face Atlanta and Utah on NBA TV and finish against Miami on ESPN 2.
The NBA Summer League regular season concludes on July 14 and playoffs are held on July 15 and 16.
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