4-Point Play: Olympics, Summer League and hoopers switching to football

We’re a bit spoiled this summer in terms of basketball content opportunities. Typically, recruiting and Summer League make up the bulk of conversation as we slowly inch toward the season. Those things will always be there for us, obviously, but it’s only a fraction of what’s to come in July and August before we get to the fall with football and basketball preseason taking over. This time around? The Basketball Tournament with La Familia and the 2024 Paris Olympics, former Wildcats taking over both events.

Those things are coming shortly with some early content rolling out for both already. What do we have on the docket today? A little bit of everything, some from USA Basketball and a few other things from around the SEC and Summer League.

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Anthony Davis can spin a ball on his finger (but other USAB teammates can’t)

Remember that whole “Anthony Davis was a guard before his growth spurt” storyline at Kentucky? It’s coming in handy ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the former Wildcat doing something LeBron James, Steph Curry, Tyrese Haliburton and Joel Embiid cannot: spin a basketball on his finger.

The best collection of basketball talent in the world is in Las Vegas for training camp, the 12-man group tuning up for the Olympic Games later this month with the Group Phase stage set to begin for Team USA on July 28. Davis joins a squad that includes James, Curry, Embiid, Haliburton, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard and Jrue Holiday — a quarter of the group coming from Kentucky.

Amid other practice footage and photo ops in their new USA threads included a clip of players being challenged to spin a ball on their finger.

Considering the level of talent on the roster, you’ll be shocked to know some of the best players of all time can’t do something many learn to do in middle school. Of those who can? Davis and Booker, easily two of the best on the team along with two-time champion (and Boston Celtic) Jrue Holiday.

A skill not all possess… Who on the #USABMNT can spin a ball on their finger? 🤔👀🏀 pic.twitter.com/mRwKDfJOKO
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2024

A 6-11, 322-pound OTE hooper commits to Georgia football

You may have seen Jahzare Jackson playing next to Bronny James on the AAU circuit in recent years, teammates since middle school. Former Kentucky signee Skyy Clark even suited up for a few of those squads. Or you likely saw him watching Rob Dillingham, Karter Knox and Somto Cyril play at Overtime Elite over the past couple of seasons as a member of the City Reapers — he won three OTE championships in his three years in the league, one alongside top-five picks Amen and Ausar Thompson in the 2023 draft cycle.

Averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds this past year at OTE, the 6-11, 322-pound center is hard to miss. He may not be the most athletic or versatile, but he’s a one-man wrecking crew in the post with a 7-4 wingspan.

Oh, and he’s also signed on to play offensive tackle for Kirby Smart at Georgia.

Jackson announced his commitment on Monday, choosing the Bulldogs over Florida, Mississippi State and Florida State — again, for football. This decision comes after declaring for the NBA Draft back in April, saying at the time he was “ready to take (his) game to the next level.”

That next level ended up being Athens protecting Preseason All-American Carson Beck’s blindside — or whoever is starting by the time he ultimately takes the field.

“I’m a three-time champion in basketball so I want to be a three-time champion in football,” he said. “… I feel like when I was playing basketball I was aggressive so just being able to fully embrace that and actually just be able to be aggressive fully for real, I feel like that’s going to be nothing for me. I’m going to love that and enjoy being able to be dominant on a regular basis at all times.”

We’ll be seeing him in the SEC — just not on the hardwood.

Justin Edwards takes on Tre Mitchell tonight in Salt Lake City

Kevin Knox has been the only former Wildcat to suit up in the NBA Summer League thus far, scoring seven points on 3-10 shooting with five assists and four rebounds in his lone appearance for the Warriors on Sunday. Not much to be excited about in the California Classic.

Things finally ramp up in Utah, though, as the Salt Lake City Summer League begins tonight and runs through Wednesday. There, the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder will take the floor, meaning we’ll get the professional debuts of Justin Edwards and Tre Mitchell. And you won’t have to wait long to see them both as Edwards’ 76ers take on Mitchell’s Thunder tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN — a head-to-head matchup between the former Cats.

Check out their complete schedules in Salt Lake City (July 8-10) before heading to Las Vegas (July 12-22).

Justin Edwards – Philadelphia 76ers

Mon. 7/8 vs. Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Tue. 7/9 vs. Memphis at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Wed. 7/10 vs. Utah at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Sat. 7/13 vs. Detroit at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Mon. 7/15 vs. Portland at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBATV
Tue. 7/16 vs. Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Fri. 7/19 vs. San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBATV

Tre Mitchell – Oklahoma City Thunder

Mon. 7/8 vs. Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Tue. 7/9 vs. Utah at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Wed. 7/10 vs. Memphis at 7 p.m. ET on NBATV
Sat. 7/13 vs. Toronto at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBATV
Mon. 7/15 vs. Miami at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU
Wed. 7/17 vs. Phoenix at 8 p.m. ET on NBATV
Fri. 7/19 vs. Golden State at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBATV

Again, this is just the appetizer before the main course begins on Friday in Sin City. There, all 30 teams will take the floor and compete for 10 days, a chance to see Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Antonio Reeves and Oscar Tshiebwe all suit up, along with Edwards, Mitchell and Knox.

Sixers honor Tyrese Maxey’s ‘historic impact’ following max contract

Got any tissues handy? Make sure you snag a couple and see what the 76ers did for their franchise guard who also happens to be a fan-favorite during his time as a Wildcat.

Tyrese Maxey just earned a five-year, $204 million maximum extension from Philadelphia — well-deserved after exploding into superstardom following James Harden’s ugly departure to keep the franchise’s contention hopes alive. The contract is the ultimate thank-you, but the Sixers also wanted to make their appreciation clear by surprising the former Kentucky star with a special celebration.

Joined by his family, friends, teammates and legends, the team took Maxey on a walk down memory lane, highlighting all of his accomplishments in basketball dating back to his childhood. They put together his old jerseys and accolades while sharing messages from John Calipari, Dawn Staley, Joel Embiid, his parents and grandmother, leading to tears from the 23-year-old entering his fifth season in the NBA.

“I worked really hard, man. Y’all sacrificed a lot,” a choked-up Maxey said. “I just feel like I was prepared to step into a situation and try to help a team win, and I really do appreciate y’all for taking a chance on me and allowing me to be a part of this.”

I promise the video is worth your time. Take a look: