Former Illinois Basketball Players Featured in 2024 NBA Summer League

Illinois basketball will have some representation in the 2024 NBA Summer League. The summer league starts on Monday, July 8th. Eyes will mostly be on Terrence Shannon Jr who will debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Minnesota Timberwolves most recently selected Shannon Jr with the 27th overall pick. Shannon Jr became the first Illinois basketball player to be a first-round draft pick since 2012. Since draft night, many notable NBA players including Draymond Green and Jeff Teague have voiced their support of Shannon Jr and have complimented his game.

Otherwise, the list of Illinois Basketball players to play in the summer league includes Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier, Malcolm Hill, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili.

Illini connections on NBA Summer League teams so far:
-Marcus Domask Bulls
-Terrence Shannon Jr. Timberwolves
-Malcolm Hill Pelicans
-Quincy Guerrier Raptors
-Giorgi Bezhanishvili Pacers

— Austin Burklund (@AB1132) July 1, 2024

Fighting for Roster spots

 Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike Shannon Jr, the four Illinois basketball players mentioned above will be fighting for roster spots. Guerrier and Domask are newly grads who signed Exhibit-10 deals with the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls respectively. In the latter part of the 2023-2024 season, Malcolm Hill signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. This came after Hill averaged close to 20 points with the Birmingham Squadron, the G-league affiliate of the Pelicans. If Hill can continue to show his 3-and-D presence, he will have a strong shot at making the roster.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili was one of the most beloved Illinois basketball players and has been grinding in the NBA G-league. Bezhanishvili certainly has the skillset to succeed at the power forward position with his skill, passing, and ball-handling abilities.

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