Former Zags Dower, Stockton, Harris to Play in NBA Summer League
By James Pigott
Oct 10, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Elias Harris (2) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Ray McCallum (3) during an NBA preseason game at MGM Grand Arena. The Kings won the game 104-86. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Three recently graduated Gonzaga Bulldogs players will be playing in the 2014 NBA Summer League. David Stockton and Elias Harris will both be playing for the Phoenix Suns, while Sam Dower will be playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. All three will be playing in the Las Vegas Summer League from July 11-21, where every team will play at least five games.
Harris, who played two games for the Los Angeles Lakers and then had a solid season over in his native Germany for Brose Baskets, will try to show the Suns the versatility to play the small forward or power forward. The Suns currently have twins Markieff and Marcus Morris and 2014 draft pick T.J. Warren already signed at those positions for next year, with P.J. Tucker (restricted) and Channing Frye (unrestricted) also becoming free agents.
Stockton is point guard with a great feel for the game, but he faces an uphill battle in trying to make the Suns’ roster. Phoenix already has the reigning NBA Most Improved Player award winner Goran Dragic, 2014 draft pick Tyler Ennis, and combo guard Eric Bledsoe. Stockton’s size and his lack of a consistent perimeter jump shot will be the two things making it tough for him to make the Suns’ final roster.
Dower might have a chance to make Portland’s roster if he proves he can play defense at the NBA level. There are no questions about his offensive game, but he certiainly had his fair share of defensive lapses at Gonzaga. Right now, he would have to compete with Thomas Robinson and Victor Claver for backup minutes at power forward behind all-star LaMarcus Aldridge.
It will be interesting to see how these three recent Gonzaga graduates will fair in the Summer League and if any of them will be able to make enough of an impression to sign on with an NBA team in the fall the way Harris did with the Lakers last year after going undrafted in 2013.