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Jamison Battle<\/p>\nJamison Battle<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS \u2014 The well-worn tag line around here \u201cWhat happens in Vegas stays in Vegas\u201d certainly doesn\u2019t apply here in regards to the NBA Summer League, which ended its 10-day run last week.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 coaches.<\/p>\n
Three native Minnesotans were among those who competed on teams the last couple of weeks in Las Vegas:\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0James Wade<\/p>\n
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\u20196\u201d small forward told me after a contest that although he\u2019s among seven veterans on the Raptors Summer League squad, he isn\u2019t taking anything for granted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is year two, so I feel, not saying I\u2019m seasoned, but I know what to expect,\u201d Battle stressed. \u201cI worked on my body and changed my body, and I\u2019m trying to defend my ass off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toronto Assistant Coach James Wade, the team\u2019s HC, added. \u201cJamison is doing well. He has worked his way through the mud to be a legitimate NBA player. He\u2019s improving on the things that he doesn\u2019t do well and on the things he does well. He\u2019s the ultimate professional. We like the way he works.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Dawson Garcia<\/p>\n
Garcia and Jones both went undrafted in this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n
The 6\u201911\u201d 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\u2019s learning how to play pro ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy time is going to come and has come,\u201d said Garcia. \u201c[I am] trying to play with a lot of energy and aggressiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Curtis Jones<\/p>\n
\u201cI was 5\u20197\u201d, a little guy at South. I went to Cretin and grew up more. I\u2019m grateful for every place I was,\u201d said the 6\u20195\u201d Jones, one of nine rookies on the Denver summertime team.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI got to improve my handles,\u201d said Jones.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Vegas Summer League isn\u2019t just for NBA hopefuls, but also a training ground for coaches hoping to improve their careers.<\/p>\n
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Chris Jones<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extremely important,\u201d 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. \u201cOne, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wade is a longtime veteran coach \u2014 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have been in a better situation,\u201d concluded the Raptors assistant coach. \u201cI feel we\u2019re building something\u2026 I love being a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n