Upside From Upshaw

Summer League in Las Vegas is around the corner, and more so than any past Lakers roster, young talent is everywhere.

For starters, you’ll hear the names D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson quite often.

That’s two highly touted lottery picks that expect to be stars in the NBA, plus the steal of the 2014 Draft.

Then there’s Tarik Black, who started games at center for the Rockets and Lakers as a rookie and has put his potential on game tape. Or Jabari Brown, the D-League’s leading scorer last season for the D-Fenders, who played well in his call up to the Lakers.

What about rookies Larry Nance, Jr. or Anthony Brown? Both are eager to prove why the Lakers spent the No. 27 and 34 draft picks on them a few weeks ago.

But there’s another player on the Lakers’ Summer League roster that’s just as intriguing in his own right.

His name is Robert Upshaw: a 7-foot center with a 7-foot-5 wing span who averaged a ridiculous 4.5 blocks per game in 24.9 minutes* per contest for the University of Washington last year.

*That’s 7.2 blocks per 40 minutes, compared to the 4.3 for Karl Anthony Towns or 1.9 for Jahlil Okafor..

He added 10.9 points and 8.2 boards to his totals, but there was some bad news, too: He got kicked off the team after 19 games for violating team rules.

And it wasn’t the first time: During his freshman season at Fresno State, Upshaw was booted from that team for repeated but unspecified violations.

Thanks in part to some time in Houston at John Lucas’ treatment facility, Upshaw rebounded and was accepted at Washington, leading the Huskies to a 14-5 record while swatting 85 shots as the nation’s best shot blocker. After his dismissal, Washington went into free fall, going 2-10 to close the season without him.

“All the (issues) for me have come off the court,” said Upshaw after the Lakers’ Tuesday Summer League practice. "Just proving that I can mature myself, because I know the basketball game is there. I just have to put both together and everything will work out for itself.”

What was the issue for Upshaw?

“I was immature,” he acknowledged. "I wasn’t doing the right things, and I was let go from both of my universities for not following the rules. I learned from it, took some time off to really take care of myself and get back together, and I’m here.

“Learned things about life, authority, how to listen and not talk and how to not have excuses or always try to have the answer. I learned that and I learned it quick. This time seems real. It seems like, if I don’t make this, I’m done.”

For now, Lakers assistant coach Mark Madsen – who will coach the Summer League squad – is focusing on his game.

“Robert is a defensive presence who has surprising touch in terms of the mid-range,” Mad Dog said. “He’s got a nice jump hook over his left shoulder. He has the ability to duck into the paint and score with either hand. Robert could impact and change a game without even taking a shot, (thanks to) his defensive prowess. I think Robert’s timing and attention to detail in terms of defensive rotations allow him to do that.”

One challenge for Upshaw will be getting himself into better shape.

"I’m not in any good shape at all conditioning-wise,” he admitted. "Since I left the University of Washington (in February), I’ve probably played basketball eight times. The process right now is getting my conditioning up, and I know I can play ball, I know I can fill a spot.”

He’ll need it to handle Randle in practice before the team leaves for Sin City on Thursday.

“Julius Randle is an ox,” Upshaw allowed. "Full head of steam, the guy can finish in the air with contact. He’s crazy.”

Crazy, like Upshaw’s shot-blocking ability. But is the aforementioned threat of being “done” with basketball if he messes up again enough to keep him on the path he’d like to follow? 

We’ll see.