By: Ben Raby
WASHINGTON- The Washington Wizards head west next week for the 2008 Las Vegas Summer League. Fifteen Wizards prospects and unsigned free agents are practicing at the Verizon Center this weekend, with a 12-man roster to be finalized by Sunday.
Among those already under contract with the club are 'young vets' Andray Blatche, Dominic McGuire, and Nick Young.
"This really is for our young veterans," said team President Ernie Grunfeld. "It's about them getting used to playing with one another and improving as we go along. Those guys shouldn't be nervous, they have a few years under their belt, and we want to know how they match up against some of the other young players in the league."
Young (above) played in 75 games last season including two starts. The Wizards 2007 first-round pick averaged 7.5 points in just over 15 minutes a game in his rookie season, but says that he's hoping for more floor time next season with Roger Mason Jr. having signed in San Anotnio.
Newly acquired Wizard Dee Brown also sees Mason's departure as an opportunity in Washington. The Wizards have extended an offer sheet to the restricted free agent, and Grunfeld confirmed today that the Utah Jazz, Brown's former team, will not match the offer. Brown will also be on the Wizards' Summer League roster.
"I'm going to come into games," Brown said, "and change up the pace and try to defend some of the smaller guards in the league. I'm just looking to play my role, whatever Coach [Eddie Jordan] asks."
The Illinois grad played in 49 games with Utah in 2006-07, before spending last year in Turkey. Brown says he was better off starting against "good competition" in Europe than riding the bench in the NBA. He says his overall game is better and his shooting much improved.
"He gives us a different look at the point guard position" Grunfeld said. " He's quick and high energy and that's something we missed last year."
This year's first-round pick JaVale McGee will get his first taste of pro ball in the Summer League. McGee said much of the instruction he's received so far has touched on running down the floor, rebounding and defending.
There is also some local flavor to the Wizards Summer Camp with unsigned free agents John Wallace (Georgetown) and Will Thomas (George Mason) hoping to secure one of the final 12 roster spots.
"It's very cool," Wallace said, "you grow up watching this team play, so to be behind the scenes now and to practice and work with the coaching staff is a pretty nice experience."
Wallace has been accepted into Georgetown's Law School, but says he'll give this basketball thing a shot while he can.
And a familiar face was back on the court as veteran center Etan Thomas took part in his first organized practice since last September. Thomas missed all of last season after undergoing heart surgery.
"Etan looked good," Grunfeld said. "It was good having him back. He's been around the past two months working out, but today was really one of the first times he's gone out there and had contact, and he was really effective."
The Wizards will play five games in the Las Vegas Summer League from July 14-20.
WASHINGTON- The Washington Wizards head west next week for the 2008 Las Vegas Summer League. Fifteen Wizards prospects and unsigned free agents are practicing at the Verizon Center this weekend, with a 12-man roster to be finalized by Sunday.
Among those already under contract with the club are 'young vets' Andray Blatche, Dominic McGuire, and Nick Young.
"This really is for our young veterans," said team President Ernie Grunfeld. "It's about them getting used to playing with one another and improving as we go along. Those guys shouldn't be nervous, they have a few years under their belt, and we want to know how they match up against some of the other young players in the league."
Young (above) played in 75 games last season including two starts. The Wizards 2007 first-round pick averaged 7.5 points in just over 15 minutes a game in his rookie season, but says that he's hoping for more floor time next season with Roger Mason Jr. having signed in San Anotnio.
Newly acquired Wizard Dee Brown also sees Mason's departure as an opportunity in Washington. The Wizards have extended an offer sheet to the restricted free agent, and Grunfeld confirmed today that the Utah Jazz, Brown's former team, will not match the offer. Brown will also be on the Wizards' Summer League roster.
"I'm going to come into games," Brown said, "and change up the pace and try to defend some of the smaller guards in the league. I'm just looking to play my role, whatever Coach [Eddie Jordan] asks."
The Illinois grad played in 49 games with Utah in 2006-07, before spending last year in Turkey. Brown says he was better off starting against "good competition" in Europe than riding the bench in the NBA. He says his overall game is better and his shooting much improved.
"He gives us a different look at the point guard position" Grunfeld said. " He's quick and high energy and that's something we missed last year."
This year's first-round pick JaVale McGee will get his first taste of pro ball in the Summer League. McGee said much of the instruction he's received so far has touched on running down the floor, rebounding and defending.
There is also some local flavor to the Wizards Summer Camp with unsigned free agents John Wallace (Georgetown) and Will Thomas (George Mason) hoping to secure one of the final 12 roster spots.
"It's very cool," Wallace said, "you grow up watching this team play, so to be behind the scenes now and to practice and work with the coaching staff is a pretty nice experience."
Wallace has been accepted into Georgetown's Law School, but says he'll give this basketball thing a shot while he can.
And a familiar face was back on the court as veteran center Etan Thomas took part in his first organized practice since last September. Thomas missed all of last season after undergoing heart surgery.
"Etan looked good," Grunfeld said. "It was good having him back. He's been around the past two months working out, but today was really one of the first times he's gone out there and had contact, and he was really effective."
The Wizards will play five games in the Las Vegas Summer League from July 14-20.
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