Hornets Basketball Communications Manager Dennis Rogers recently returned from Las Vegas, where he spent 14 days at the Toshiba Vegas Summer League. In addition to his role with the Hornets, Rogers is the Director of Public Relations for the Toshiba Vegas Summer League (a role he has had since the inception of the league three years ago). After watching 40 games in a span of nine days, Rogers gives us his take on the best and most surprising players of the league.

Rogers’ MVP
Randy Foye, Minnesota Timberwolves
Foye was an absolute stud in each of the T-Wolves’ five games, averaging 24.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 32.8 minutes of play. … Foye displayed great quickness in getting to the basket and used his powerful frame to initiate contact and draw fouls. … he was able to run the point and get his teammates involved, but also play the two-guard position and score… he scored 20+ points in four of the five games, including a 30-point effort against the Suns… Foye is the clear favorite for 2006-07 Rookie of the Year.

Rogers’ TVSL First-Team
Randy Foye, Minnesota Timberwolves (see above)

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Appeared in three games for the Suns, averaging 20.7 points and 6.0 rebounds… Stoudemire dominated the competition and looked in tip-top shape in the process.

Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings
Martin flashed his speed and distance shooting ability en route to 22.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest… next year should be a breakout year for the young King.

John Lucas Jr., Houston Rockets
“Wow” is the word used by many in the gym when Lucas was on the floor… after bouncing around the NBA and NBDL last season, Lucas scorched opponents for 23.4 points. 7.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds… if there could be a second MVP trophy, he would have earned it… there will be a feeding frenzy to sign this guy to an NBA roster.

Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
It took a little while for Roy to get comfortable, but when he did, he showed flashes of a star… Roy is steady, in control and, with his NBA-ready body (6-6, 215), able to score… he poured in a TVSL-high 35 points against the Suns… will compete with Foye for the Rookie of the Year award.

James Singleton, Los Angeles Clippers
The most athletic player in summer league, Singleton was a beast on the boards averaging a league-high 13.2 rebounds, in addition to 15.4 points a game…Singleton should be a major contributor to the Clippers’ rotation next season.

Rogers’ TVSL Second-Team
Sebastian Telfair, Boston Celtics
The recently traded Telfair was a blur on the court, racking up 14.3 points and 5.3 assists per game… Telfair showed his trademark toughness, speed and competitiveness that will make him a Celtics favorite in the coming season.

Ryan Gomes, Boston Celtics
The former second-round pick showed that he belongs in the NBA… Gomes averaged 19.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in four games… in a few years, Gomes may be the steal of the 2005 draft.

Shannon Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers
“Explosive” is the word that best describes Brown…he averaged 14 points and 2.4 assists per game… he is a freakish athlete who will be on the tail end of many Cavs highlights next season… if he were five inches taller, he would have been a top-three pick… he will win the dunk contest next year.

Hilton Armstrong, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Armstrong wasn’t the man at UConn and he won’t be the man next year for the Hornets… however, he is always steady and that will go a long way for next year’s Hornets team…Armstrong looked comfortable, intelligent and ready in Byron Scott’s offense, averaging 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in the process.

Casey Jacobsen, Denver Nuggets
The former NBA player spent last season overseas… that shouldn’t be the case this year due to his performance in summer league… Jacobsen was the star of the Nuggets team, averaging 16.4 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Alex Acker, Detroit Pistons
It’s tough to break into the Pistons’ star-filled rotation, but Acker may do just that next season… the athletic guard, poured in 18.4 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Pistons.

Rogers’ Most Surprising Players
Cheik Samb, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons must have known what they were doing when they traded Maurice Evans to the Lakers for Samb… the thin-framed Samb was mobile, intelligent and explosive on the court for the Pistons as he scored 7.2 points, grabbed 4.8 rebounds and blocked 1.8 shots per game… in a couple of years, watch out.

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
The only thing Rondo lacks is an outside shot... Rondo averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds, as he was smooth and always in control leading the Celtics offense, even flashing a few highlight-reel drives.

Rawle Marshall, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks may have something special in the relatively unknown Marshall… the thin-framed, lengthy swingman averaged 16.4 points… the slashing style of Marshall contributed to an amazing 10.2 free throw attempts a game.

Louis Amundson, Sacramento Kings
Easily the crowd favorite of the tournament… the former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel averaged 10.4 points and 7.8 rebounds, including two double-doubles… his performance may have solidified a roster spot in Sacramento.

Renaldo Balkman, New York Knicks
Knicks fans weren’t exactly thrilled when they heard Balkman’s name on draft night, but when they see him in action they will be thrilled… Balkman averaged 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds, but more importantly, is athletic, plays hard and will be a fan favorite.