NBA Summer League: Trojans Competing in Vegas Tournament

March 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Dewayne Dedmon (14) grabs a rebound against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsThe NBA Summer League 2013 in Las Vegas will feature 22 teams competing in a 61-game schedule from July 12-22 at the Thomas & Mack Center and COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Two of the Trojan’s alum have taken to their talents to the NBA Summer League. Forward Dewayne Dedmon and swingman Renaldo Woolridge have been granted the opportunity to try out for an NBA Roster, after not getting selected in the 2013 NBA Draft. Both men are beginning to feel their way through the league but have yet to break through their college deficiencies to succeed against peers of their age.

This summer’s event will feature the debut of a tournament style schedule that will crown the first ever NBA Summer League Champion on Monday, July 22. Teams will compete in three preliminary round games from July 12-16 before being seeded in a tournament running through the Championship Game on July 22. Each team is guaranteed to play at least five games.

Dewayne Dedmon

Dedmon played limited minutes during the first week of NBA Summer League in Orlando playing for Miami. In the 69-59 loss to the Utah Jazz on July 8th, Dedmon failed to score a point for the defending world champion Heat, missing all of his three field goal attempts in just under 14 minutes of action.

Now in Las Vegas, Dewayne Dedmon has received more action at the Center position with the Dallas Maverick. Fresh of losing Chris Kaman to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, the Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring depth in the front court. Dedmon could provide some help with his size and tenacity on the court.

In his first game with Dallas on July 13th, the Trojan alum failed to score in 10 minutes of action but recorded two rebounds in his limited action. Things were slightly better on Sunday against the Bobcats, scoring two points off the bench in nine minutes of action. Defensively, Dedmon earned seven fouls and one blocked shot.

Renaldo Woolridge

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have one small forward on the roster in former Trojan Nick Young, and would love to add depth to the position this summer. After two games in Las Vegas, the Summer League Lakers have given Renaldo Woolridge an opportunity to present his three-point shooting skills and perimeter defense. Unfortunately for the Trojans’ chances an 0-3 shooting night, including two misses from behind the arc, made for a rather flat opening impression.

In the most recent game against the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday, Renaldo Woolridge did not play. In the third day of Vegas Summer League action, Woolridge watched from the sidelines in uniform as Chris Douglas Roberts and Robert Sacre dominated the post for the Lakers. During the contest, Pac-12 leading scorer Allen Crabbe hit three jump shots from the field, scoring seven points on the afternoon.

MOVING FORWARD:

The week-long festivities continue as both Renaldo Woolridge and Dewayne Dedmon will have one more game before the playoff rounds begin. These final contests will be the best chance for both Trojans to showcase their skills for an NBA team, looking for spots on an NBA roster this upcoming August for fall camp.