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Even with the break in the AAU season, the Gonzaga basketball program is still front and center thanks to some of the elite returning talent. Along with that, a couple of Zags will have the opportunity to pursue their NBA dream when the NBA Summer League kicks off next week.
Wiltjer and Sabonis Shine At Nike Camp:
Both Kyle Wiltjer and Domas Sabonis were invited to the Nike Basketball Academy. In previous years, guys like Kevin Pangos and Austin Daye had been invited to the Nike Skills camps that take place every summer. These camps are great opportunity for elite college talent to play with NBA players and also be coached by some of the best skill coaches in the world. Not surprisingly, both Wiltjer and Sabonis received rave reviews for their play the past three days:
Kyle wiltjer lighting it up from nba range in the night session at nike basketball academy
— Miles Simon (@milessimon) June 29, 2015
Kyle Wiltjer is easily one of the best offensive players here. Not just hitting spot threes. Step backs. Straight line drives. Mid post.
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 29, 2015
College players standing out so far @ Nike Academy include Isaiah Taylor, Ben Simmons, Tyrone Wallace, Kris Dunn, Kyle Wiltjer
— Dinos Trigonis (@trigonis30) June 28, 2015
Nike Academy is great place for these bigs to show off some skill stuff. Can see Damian Jones, Domantas Sabonis, Shawn Long play inside-out.
— Sam Meyerkopf (@HoopLikeDrazen) June 28, 2015
Utah's Jakob Poeltl and Gonzaga's Domantis Sabonis impressive in the evening scrimmages at the @nikebasketball Academy.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) June 28, 2015
These are some very encouraging reports on both guys and it really shows just how deep of a front court that Gonzaga will have next season. The other impressive note is that it sounds like Sabonis has worked to expand his game a little bit and could see some time at a 4/3 type look on the court.
Pangos and Gray Prepare For Summer League:
Although there was definitely some disappointment among Gonzaga fans when Kevin Pangos didn't hear his name called on draft night, that hardly means that the talented PG has no shot at playing in the NBA. With both Rajon Rondo and JJ Barea likely playing elsewhere next season, the Dallas Mavericks have a void that Pangos might be able to fill with a big performance during summer league.
Nothing would be better than to see @KPangos in a Mavs uniform next season. Looking forward to seeing him at the @NBASummerLeague.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 30, 2015
Excited to be part of the @dallasmavs for NBA Summer League!
— Kevin Pangos (@KPangos) June 28, 2015
Pangos won't be the only former Zag with a chance to make an NBA roster, as Steven Gray will be playing with the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. Gray was the leading scorer in the French League last season and has a real chance to make the roster of the Nets, who scouted him heavily this season.
Steven Gray headed to Orlando & Vegas w/#brooklynnets- Nets scouted Steven in France and feel he has a real chance-
— Keith Kreiter (@Edge_Sports) June 26, 2015