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Former FSU Basketball stars shine during NBA Summer League action

By Jason Parker

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Dwayne Bacon #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots in front of Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Dwayne Bacon #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots in front of Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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A half dozen FSU basketball alumni spent the past two weeks in Las Vegas talking part in the annual event showcasing some of the best young talent.

For the better part of July, the NBA has spent some of their young players – along with a few veterans – out to the state of Utah and city of Sacramento, California before meeting in Las Vegas for the annual event known as the Summer League. This season, all 30 teams took part in one city with a half dozen former FSU basketball players joining the party.

Representing a total of five teams in the process – including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers to name a few – these Seminoles didn’t just go through the motions during their time in Sin City. Nope, these men who one donned the garnet and gold put in work to make sure they are on a pro roster next season.

For several of the former FSU basketball players, that even meant playing for a shot at being crowned the first champions of the 2018-19 NBA season. Let us take a look at how these six former Seminoles did.

Dwayne Bacon, Charlotte Hornets

The second year player spent another summer taking part in the action, going for over 18 points a game to go along with just over four rebounds and two assists in each contest in leading the Hornets into the playoff portion, losing on Saturday to the Toronto Raptors.

Okaro White, Cleveland Cavaliers

Playing on his third team in the last four months – after being traded from the Miami Heat to the Atlanta Hawks and later released – this former FSU basketball player averaged six points a game and over seven rebounds each contest in leading the Cavs to the semifinals of the summer league.

Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets

The former first round pick from the Seminoles went for over 16 points a contest and added just over rebounds each game in helping the men from the Mile High city to a 3-2 record while in Las Vegas.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Los Angeles Lakers

Another nomadic former FSU basketball player – who went from the New York Knicks’ G-League team to the Memphis Grizzlies and back to the Knicks before signing with the Lakers – XRM was the one who lasted the longest in averaging nine points, four assists and two rebounds in helping to lead the Lakers to the finals of the Summer League.

Jonathan Isaac and Braian Angola Rodas, Orlando Magic

The sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft was in Las Vegas for the summer solidifying a spot on next year’s roster, going for over 14 points and seven rebounds each game as the Magic finished with a 2-3 record.

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Angola Rodas, who was undrafted after last year’s elite eight run for FSU basketball, may have just averaged five points and less than two assists in Vegas, but did a lot more when he signed a deal that virtually guarantees him a spot with the team’s G-League franchise in Lakeland and opens up the chance of him seeing action with the big club up the road.

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