Selby, Markieff Morris Leading Former Jayhawks in NBA Las Vegas Summer League

July 18, 2012

Selby vs. Washington Highlights (NBA.com)
Markieff Morris vs. Cleveland Highlights (NBA.com)

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Josh Selby and Markieff Morris are making strong cases to earn some major playing time once the upcoming NBA season rolls around. The two former Jayhawks have turned some heads in the Las Vegas Summer League this year and both players are coming off their strongest games of the summer.

Selby has led all scorers in both games the Memphis Grizzlies have played, saving his best performance for Tuesday night. The Baltimore, Md., native exploded for a summer league-high 35 points on 12-for-21 shooting and went 7-for-8 from behind the three point line. He also added seven steals. Through his first two games, Selby is averaging a summer league-high 27.5 points, while also contributing 4.0 steals, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

“My teammates told me they were going to look for me, they wanted me to make open shots,” said Selby in an interview with NBA.com. “I was just trying to score whenever I could. I’m disappointed that we lost and I didn’t do enough to get the win. If I would have made that lay-up or if we would have rebounded more, we would have won, so that’s what I’m disappointed about. I don’t really care about the 35 points I scored.”

Morris isn’t shying away from the competition either as he is tied for the summer league lead in rebounds at 13.0 per game for the Phoenix Suns. The Philadelphia, Pa., native finished his second game of the summer with 24 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks. Through two games, Morris is averaging 22.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 1.5 assists per game.

Selby and Morris each have three games left with their respective teams this summer. The two former Jayhawks will square off against each other Saturday, July 21 at 9 p.m. CT., a game available by subscribing to NBA Summer League Broadband at NBA.com.

Five other former Jayhawks are also competing in the Las Vegas Summer League. Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and Darnell Jackson, member of the 2008 National Championship team, are both with the Sacramento Kings. Through three games, Robinson is averaging 29.0 minutes, 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with one double-double. Jackson is averaging 13.3 minutes, 3.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

The Kings have two games remaining on the summer league schedule with a game Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. CT and their final game Thursday, also at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Marcus Morris, a member of the Houston Rockets, is averaging 21.7 minutes, 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds through three games. Morris and the Rockets play their final game Wednesday night at 5 p.m. CT.

Through two games with the New Orleans Hornets, Xavier Henry is averaging 25.0 minutes, 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Henry and the Hornets have three games remaining on the summer league schedule with a game tonight at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Finally, 2005 KU grad Aaron Miles played 18 minutes and scored two points with three assists and two rebounds in his first game (7/16) with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks play four games in the next five days to round out the 2012 summer league.

Former KU players Tyshawn Taylor (Brooklyn Nets) and Cole Aldrich (Oklahoma City Thunder) completed their respective summer league stints in Orlando last week.