[NCarmean18Participant]

As an Illinois fan, I have been following the Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League squad very closely, as I am intrigued to see how Demetri McCamey and Brandon Paul play. Even though the T’Wolves have pretty much solidified their roster, I am still pulling for both of these guys to make it into the NBA.

Going in to the Vegas Summer League, I was pretty scared that McCamey wouldn’t be given much opportunity, but I was wrong.

In Minnesota’s first summer league game, Demetri McCamey didn’t play. Paul did, but he scored 4 points on only 2-6 shooting off of the bench. It wasn’t anything spectacular to say the least.

In Minnesota’s second Summer League game, McCamey got to play a solid amount of minutes off of the bench, and he performed pretty well. In 16 minutes off of the bench, Demetri McCamey scored 13 points on 5-7 shooting, and 3-3 from downtown. He also pulled down a rebound, dished and assist, and picked two pockets, for a very solid performance off of the bench for Minnesota.

Brandon Paul hardly played at all, but when he did, he made good usage of his time. He pulled a whopping 4 minutes off of the bench, but he scored 7 points in those 4 minutes on 2-3 shooting, 1-2 from deep, and 2-2 from the line. He also pulled down a rebound and dished an assist in his limited time.

In Minnesota’s most recent game, both players looked pretty solid out there. After McCamey’s stellar performance in game 2, he got the nod to start at point guard for the T’Wolves, and he played very efficient basketball. In almost 23 minutes of work, McCamey dropped 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists (one beautiful one-handed, behind-the-back pass for a flush) on a good 2-4 shooting, and 2-3 from downtown. However, he did play a bit loose however, as he turned the ball over 4 times. (He also recorded a steal and a block).

Brandon Paul had his best outing of the Summer League in this game. In 22 minutes of action, Brandon Paul led the game with 13 points on 4-7 shooting, 3-6 from downtown, and 2-2 from the charity stripe. Paul also had quick hands, swiping away 3 steals. Paul blocked a shot, and ended the game with only 2 turnovers, for a pretty efficient game.

Whenever Demetri McCamey graduated, the questions surrounding his game was his character issues, his inconsistency, and his weight. After watching him play solid minutes for two straight games, I would have to say that he hasn’t been uncoachable, and he seems willing to learn. He has been pretty consistent so far in the summer league, shooting 7-11 from the field and 5-6 from downtown and not turning the ball over as much as he did at Illinois. The final thing and the most noticeable thing is his weight. He is in tremendous shape, and he looks ten times thinner than he did coming out of college. He looks a lot thinner and he plays a lot better defense than he did at Illinois.

Overall, I am much more impressed with Demetri McCamey than I was during his lackluster senior campaign at Illinois.

As for Paul, the biggest question marks surrounding his game was his shot selection and his overall consistency. He’s a great athlete, that has never been questioned. However, his shooting touch and his shot selection were probably the key factors that led to him being undrafted this past June. So far, Paul has looked pretty solid. He’s taking smart shots, not forcing much of anything. Also, he is hitting his three point attempts at a very good rate. He is 4-9 from deep, shooting at a 44.4% clip for the Summer League.

I love both players and will be loyal to both players as they make the journey to achieve their dreams, and I really wish both of them the very best with the rest of the Summer League, and with their futures in basketball.

[BenchWarmerParticipant]

BP3 is an absolutely putrid nickname.

[BenchWarmerParticipant]

BP3 is an absolutely putrid nickname.

[NCarmean18Participant]

I’d have to agree on that, but that is what Illini fans and Illini broadcasters/Big Ten broadcasters have been calling him for years, so it has just kind of stuck with me I guess lol.

[NCarmean18Participant]

I’d have to agree on that, but that is what Illini fans and Illini broadcasters/Big Ten broadcasters have been calling him for years, so it has just kind of stuck with me I guess lol.

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

As a guy who has watched probably 60% of Brandon Paul’s college games, I really don’t recall hearing that nickname. He has got to make a squad. Someone please explain to me how Shabazz is a better prospect right now?

[jjbutler73Participant]

He might not be a better PLAYER right now, but you said prospect.

[jjbutler73Participant]

He might not be a better PLAYER right now, but you said prospect.

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

As a guy who has watched probably 60% of Brandon Paul’s college games, I really don’t recall hearing that nickname. He has got to make a squad. Someone please explain to me how Shabazz is a better prospect right now?

[Warned2820Participant]

Demetri is really playing well in summer league.

[Warned2820Participant]

Demetri is really playing well in summer league.

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