Santiago Vescovi gets roster spot for NBA Summer League
Former Tennessee Basketball redshirt senior guard Santiago Vescovi will play for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Summer League. The Summer League is set for July 12-21 in Las Vegas.
Dalton Knecht was lone pick in the NBA Draft, selected at No. 17 overall in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night. Josiah-Jordan James signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indiana Pacers.
Vescovi started a Tennessee record 144 games (out of 149 career games) over the last five seasons. He averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists with the Vols, shooting 39.2% from the field and 37.2% from the 3-point line.
Golden State Warriors 2024 Summer League Roster: pic.twitter.com/WXDwSYfgei
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He had a career year in 2021-22, averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.2 minutes per game, shooting 41.3% from the field and 40.3% from three. He made 102 3-pointers during his junior season, joining Chris Lofton as the only Tennessee players to make 100 or more threes in a single season. For his career, Vescovi finished with 325 3-pointers.
Vescovi averaged 12.5 points per game in 2022-23, but his numbers dropped to 6.3 points last season, shooting a career-low 36.8% from the field and 32.6% from three.
Josiah-Jordan James signed Exhibit 10 contract with Pacers
James signed an Exhibit 10 contract, giving him the chance to play in the NBA’s Summer League with an opportunity to earn a two-way contract.
James in 144 career games at Tennessee over the last five seasons averaged 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, shooting career-bests 40.2% from the field and 34.1% from the 3-point line. He made 123 starts, averaging 28.2 minutes per game.
Last season James averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.2 minutes, starting all 36 games. He had a career year in 2021-22, averaging 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.0 minutes per game, shooting 48.3% from the field.
James signed with Tennessee as a five-star prospect according to select outlets in the 2019 class. The Charleston, S.C., native, picked the Vols over Duke, Clemson and Michigan State.
Eight players have been drafted during the Rick Barnes era
Knecht on Wednesday became the eighth Tennessee player to be selected in the NBA Draft during the Rick Barnes era, dating back to the 2019 NBA Draft, and the highest pick during that span.
Keon Johnson, selected at No. 21 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA Draft, followed by Jaden Springer at No. 28 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Julian Phillips was selected in the second round, at No. 35 overall, by the Chicago Bulls in last year’s draft. Kennedy Chandler slid to the second round in 2022, taken at No. 38 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tennessee had three players selected in the 2019 NBA Draft. Grant Williams went at No. 22 overall to the Boston Celtics, Admiral Schofield went at No. 42 overall to the Washington Wizards and Jordan Bone was one of the final picks, at No. 57 to the Detroit Pistons.
