by Daniel Olsen
Three players from the WCC, five from the PAC-12 and one from the Mountain West were selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. While no players from colleges in Utah were selected to the NBA Draft, several will have chances to make a roster when NBA Summer League kicks off.
Alex Barcello – Toronto Raptors
After a standout career at BYU, Alex Barcello is going to be playing on the other side of the border with the Toronto Raptors. First though, he will have to prove himself in the 2022 Las Vegas Summer League.
Barcello will get the chance to play against the hometown Utah Jazz on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 5 p.m. MT. That game will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Raptors will also play the Philadelphia 76ers (July 9), Chicago Bulls (July 12), and Miami Heat (July 15).
The Raptors are in desperate need of a shooter as they were #20 in points per game (109.8) and three point percentage (34.9 percent). A career 42 percent shooter from downtown like Barcello could solve those issues.
The one weakness he will have to overcome is his smaller frame. For the first time ever, not a single player drafted was listed under 6 foot 4. Barcello is 6 foot 2 and just shy of 200 pounds. If Barcello doesn’t earn a two way contract, expect to see him play significant time with the G-League affiliate Raptors 905 team.
Justin Bean – LA Clippers
Justin Bean, the second best rebounder in USU history, will get the chance to prove himself this summer with the LA Clippers roster. He joins a team with familiar faces among Mountain West fans: Kawhi Leonard from San Diego State and Paul George from Fresno State.
However, his Summer league action will be with players on his current level: Isiah Brown of Cyprus, Michael Devoe of Georgia Tech, Trey McGowens of Nebraska and Lucas Williamson of Loyola. All of these players were major contributors for their team, but that shouldn’t concern Aggie fans. Bean had reportedly been one of the best performers in every workout he’s participated in for NBA scouts.
The Clippers tied for #18 in the league with an average of 44 rebounds per game last year. They were led by Ivica Zubac with 8.5 boards per game. With an average of 9.9 rebounds per game his senior year, Bean could emerge as one of the best rebounders on the Clippers if he can maintain that clip in the NBA. He was nicknamed the Dennis Rodman of the Mountain West for a reason as he was the nationwide leader in double-doubles at one point.
Bean will also get the chance to play the Utah Jazz two days after Alex Barcello does. That game will tip off on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 3 p.m. MT. That game will be on ESPN2. You can catch the rest of the Summer League schedule for the Clippers here.
Featured image courtesy Rick Bowmer, Associated Press