Notre Dame NBA Summer League Recap
NBA rookies and hopefuls gathered in Orlando, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas the opening weeks of July either getting their first taste of professional basketball or in hopes of earning a spot on a roster or training camp invite after participating in the NBA Summer League.
Five former Notre Dame players over the past few weeks played in multiple games displaying their talents for the respective clubs which they suited up to represent.
Here is a quick rundown on how each of those players did during the 2017 edition of the Summer League.
Zach Auguste, Forward
Auguste was the lone Irish player of the quintet who participated in the NBA Summer League to play in multiple cities. Playing with the Miami Heat, Auguste started in Orlando where he saw action in three games averaging 17.7 minutes per contest. The former Irish big man averaged 7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in the limited action he saw. He finished 10-of-17 from the field, good enough for 58.8 percent.
The next stop in Las Vegas provided Auguste a little more opportunity averaging 21.2 minutes per game in five games. He took advantage of the uptick in playing time and games averaging 10 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 52.5 percent (21-of-40) overall.
Auguste went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and was released late during training camp last year with the Los Angeles Lakers. He went on to play professionally in Turkey and now waits to see if he earns another invite to a training camp.
VJ Beachem, Forward
Following a successful four-year career in South Bend, Beachem entered the NBA Draft this year but was not among the 60 selections. Beachem did however sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves as an undrafted free agent.
Participating in the Last Vegas section of the summer league, Beachem notched 9.5 minutes a game while averaging 1.3 points and one rebound per contest in four games. He struggled a bit from the field going 2-of-14 (14.3 percent).
Beachem now awaits his future in professional basketball.
Pat Connaughton, Guard
After being drafted in the second round in 2015, Connaughton has played in 73 games for the Portland Trailblazers in two seasons. Connaughton played in Las Vegas this summer, but for just three out of five games after suffering an injury. He notched 24.3 minutes per game and contributed 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals on average. He finished 8-of-22 from the field (36.4 percent).
Connaughton’s future is a bit unclear as the Trailblazers have the option to pick up the third year of his rookie contract. He would remain a reserve for Portland if the team picks up the option, but if not he would look to take his talents elsewhere.
Jack Cooley, Forward
Playing for the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas, Cooley put up solid numbers in limited playing time. Averaging 17.8 minutes, Cooley notched 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 64 percent (16-of-28) from the field.
Cooley has been all over following his time at Notre Dame including playing in 16 games during the 2014-2015 season for the Utah Jazz, multiple summer league teams and playing overseas in Spain, Turkey and Germany. He has also spent time in the NBA Developmental League (now called the NBA Gatorade League).
Like Auguste and Beachem, Cooley waits for an invite to a training camp or could head back overseas.
Demetrius Jackson, Guard
Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, Jackson spent much of his rookie campaign with the Boston Celtics’ D-League (now G-League) affiliate the Maine Red Claws. Jackson played in 32 games for the Red Claws making 23 starts averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 33.5 minutes of action. Jackson played in just five games for the Celtics during the course of the year.
Like the four mentioned above, Jackson played his summer league ball in Las Vegas averaging 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 25.5 minutes of action per game. He shot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from the field.
On July 15, Jackson was waived by the Celtics in an effort to clear cap space for the signing of forward Gordon Hayward. Jackson's future is also up in the air.
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