Preview of the Wizards Summer League roster - Part 2

The Wizards announced the players that will be invited to their Summer League mini-camp. In addition to some names we already know, like JaVale McGee, Trevor Booker, Hamady N'diaye, Cartier Martin and of course John Wall - there are other names we may not be as familiar with.

Summer camp started last Thursday, and the first Summer League game scheduled for Sunday at 8 against the Golden State Warriors. I know I'll be watching NBA-TV that evening to get my first glimpse of the 2010-11 Washington Wizards basketball season.

Here is the Wizards Summer League mini-camp roster

Obviously, most Wizards fans already know JaVale McGee. We've seen a lot of words written about John Wall, and we're all excited to see him start his career in the Summer League. Trevor Booker and Hamaday N'Daiye have been discussed here on Bullets Forever, and we actually saw Cartier Martin for eight games last year. But who are the rest of these guys?

I'll do a mini profile on each one. Because I don't want this post to get to be too long, I'll break this up into two posts. Read the first set after the jump.

Late breaking news:

Well, according to Mike Prada's post about 3 hours ago, Mike Sweetney is not on the Summer League roster and has been replaced by 6-9, 275 lb Corsley Edwards. I hope this is not the end of Sweetney's NBA career.

Sorry - no info on Corsley Edwards - I'll try to dig something up on him and post in the comments.

Rook

Kyle Spain is a 23 year old, 6'5" Shooting Guard from San Diego State. Spain is a very strong guard, but he lacks the athleticism that NBA GM's like to see in a wing player. He's got a very good jump shot, with solid mechanics and a quick release. He can knock down open catch-and-shoot opportunities, even from behind the 3-point line, at an excellent percentage. Not as good off the dribble. Although he lacks an explosive first step, his strength comes in play when he drives to the basket; as he can frequently draw the foul, and gets a fair number of "and-1's". He's also an excellent free throw shooter (mid-80's).

Defensively, Spain has quick hands and is a hard worker on the defensive end, but his lack of lateral quickness limits what he can do on the perimeter. He is however, an excellent rebounder.

Kyle Spain is another guard on the Wizard's SL roster that looks like he'll end up in Europe.





Aaron Pettway is a 29 year old, 6'11" Center with an NBA body and off the charts athleticism. He had a standout career at Hutchinson Junior College. He was rated as the #1 Junior College center in the country.... Then he went to play his last two years at Oklahoma State from 2004-2006; and inexplicably didn't get much playing time. He has bounced around the USBL and Europe since then, playing for several teams, including teams in the Latvian League, Baltic League, and Ukraine-Superleague. In Eurocup play, he averaged 16.5 points (on 65% shooting) and 12.5 rebounds. He was on the verge of signing an NBA contract when he was injured in July of 2008 while attending Rookie/Free Agent Camp with the Boston Celtics. Pettway was forced to sit out the 2008-2009 season due to a foot injury which required surgery.

Pettway has been described as a very athletic and a dynamic "high flyer". He has an excellent jumping ability. He blocks shots and rebounds on both ends of the floor. He runs floor extremely well, has good hands. A poor low post player on offense, he mostly scores with putbacks and finishing passes from teammates. If you ask him to put the ball on the floor, even just to back his man down, he looks awkward and mechanical.

Defensively, he has the bulk to play the bigger Centers, and still retains the mobility and athleticism necessary to block shots on the weak side. He does not strike me as a fundamentally sound rebounder. He doesn't block out, instead using his considerable athleticism and length to grab boards. He has a good effort level on the defensive side, rotating well; and generally showing good awareness.

Pettway could be a sleeper find by Ernie.



Some video of Pettway

JP Prince is a 22 year old, 6'7" left-handed wing (Shooting Guard, Small Forward) from Tennessee. Like his cousin (Tayshaun Prince) , JP is very long (6'11" wingspan), and very athletic. He's another explosive leaper and even though he is slightly built, he can finish strong at the rim. He can finish with his off (right) hand, and has good touch around the basket. He actually played some Point Guard at Tennessee at 6'7" so he has good passing ability and floor awareness. He's got a terrific quick first step that helps him get into the lane and create for teammates.

On the flip side of that coin, his jump shot is just plain ugly. His mechanics are terrible and he shoots the ball with a sort of pushing motion. His shooting percentages at Tennessee (53% Shooting percentage; 32% from 3; 63% from the FT line) don't really reflect how poorly he shoots the ball.

Defensively, Prince is very tough. He gets into a sound fundamental stance, and hounds his opponent with his length, speed, quickness and active hands. He has very good lateral quickness and is hard to get around. In addition, because of his length and jumping ability, and the fact that he plays a tough in-your-face style, it is extremely difficult for opponents to shoot over him.

Dom McGuire 2.0?


Some video of J. P. Prince

A lot of you may be familiar with Mike Sweetney. The 6'8", 260 pound (?) Forward from Georgetown. He is a highly skilled big man who averaged 18.2 points while shooting nearly 55% over his three-year college career. He was selected by the New York Knicks with the 9th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and signed a 4-year, $8.6 million contract. He only lasted 2 years with New York before weight issues derailed his career. He was traded to Chicago, but rarely saw any court time.

Sweetney is an experienced and polished player. He is a good rebounder and low post scorer. He has a great wingspan and very good hands. He is a bit undersized for the PF spot at 6'8", but he makes up for it with his strength and low post skills. He doesn't have a face-the-basket game to speak of, and he's not especially good in the transition game other than to throw the outlet pass.

Mike Sweetney is an NBA talent, when he is in shape. Let's hope that the Wizards have listed his weight correctly at 260 lbs - because if so, he may actually have a chance to make an NBA team this year. If not, well this was probably his last chance.

Sun Yue is a 24 year old (?) 6'7" Left-handed Forward (??)... Is that right? I thought Sun Yue was a Point Guard. Lots of stuff look wrong about this guy. First and foremost, Sun Yue was measured at 6' 8.75" in shoes. Draft Express lists him has a PG/SG/SF; I guess because 6-9 Point Guards are unheard of. Yue has NBA athleticism with a 34" vertical, 10.68 lane agility and 3:45 sprint... . He was taken in the second round by the LA Lakers in the 2007 draft, but opted instead to play for the Chinese olympic team. He didn't actually sign with the Lakers until August 2008. Because of injuries and various other issues, Yue spent very little time with the Lakers - instead playing for their D-League affiliate. He was technically part of the Lakers championship team, and has a ring to prove it. Currently, the only Wizard on the roster with a Championship ring.

Sun Yue has some intriguing skills. First and foremost, he can handle the basketball. Very skilled going either right or left, and with excellent court vision and awareness, he can pinpoint passes to teammates with astonishing accuracy. He has a terrific first step and despite being slightly built, he is very good at finishing at the rim.

The one reason he is not in the NBA right now is that he cannot shoot. Because he not only can't shoot, but is reluctant to shoot, defenders sag off and play him to drive - taking away some of his effectiveness.

Defensively, he can guard multiple perimeter positions (from 1-4). He's got terrific lateral quickness, and combined with his speed, leaping ability and length makes him a potential lock down defender.

Sun Yue has the potential to be a unique player in the NBA - another potential gem?

Here's some video of Yue: