LAS VEGAS — The well-worn tag line around here “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” certainly doesn’t apply here in regards to the NBA Summer League, which ended its 10-day run last week.
All 30 NBA teams competed in Vegas with rosters mostly composed of rookies, first-and-second year veterans, and others all vying for final roster spots when the 2025-26 season begins this fall. Some are certain locks, while others are clamoring for serious consideration by the respective teams’ coaches.
Three native Minnesotans were among those who competed on teams the last couple of weeks in Las Vegas: Dawson Garcia (Detroit), Curtis Jones (Denver), and Jamison Battle (Toronto). Only Battle, who spent time both with the Raptors and their G League affiliate as a two-way player last season, have NBA experience, while both Garcia and Jones are rookies.
Battle, a Minneapolis De La Salle graduate, played his college ball at George Washington (2019-21), Minnesota (2021-23), and Ohio State (2023-24). The 6’6” small forward told me after a contest that although he’s among seven veterans on the Raptors Summer League squad, he isn’t taking anything for granted.
“This is year two, so I feel, not saying I’m seasoned, but I know what to expect,” Battle stressed. “I worked on my body and changed my body, and I’m trying to defend my ass off.”
Toronto Assistant Coach James Wade, the team’s HC, added. “Jamison is doing well. He has worked his way through the mud to be a legitimate NBA player. He’s improving on the things that he doesn’t do well and on the things he does well. He’s the ultimate professional. We like the way he works.”
Garcia and Jones both went undrafted in this year’s draft.
The 6’11” Garcia, a Prior Lake High School graduate, played collegiately at Marquette (2020-21), North Carolina (2021-22), and Minnesota (2022-25). He told me the Pistons coaches have been real encouraging as he’s learning how to play pro ball.
“My time is going to come and has come,” said Garcia. “[I am] trying to play with a lot of energy and aggressiveness.”
Jones played at Indian Hills CC (2020-21), Buffalo (2021-23), and Iowa State (2023-25) after he played his prep ball at Minnesota South and Cretin-Derham Hall.
“I was 5’7”, a little guy at South. I went to Cretin and grew up more. I’m grateful for every place I was,” said the 6’5” Jones, one of nine rookies on the Denver summertime team.
Andrew Munson, who coached the Nuggets in Vegas, said he believes Jones has as good a shot as any to make the final roster later this year because he is a good shooter.
“I got to improve my handles,” said Jones.
The Vegas Summer League isn’t just for NBA hopefuls, but also a training ground for coaches hoping to improve their careers.
“It is extremely important,” said Utah HC Chris Jones, who has been a Jazz assistant since 2019, first as a video assistant and then in player development, before landing as a full-time assistant coach in 2023. “One, it gives me a chance to see if I ever could or want to be a [NBA] head coach. But just like the players, it allows you to step out and be a little uncomfortable.”
Wade is a longtime veteran coach — he was the third Black male to win a WNBA championship (Chicago, 2021) and was a Minnesota Lynx assistant on their 2017 championship club. He joined the Toronto staff in 2023.
“I couldn’t have been in a better situation,” concluded the Raptors assistant coach. “I feel we’re building something… I love being a part of it.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.