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GO WEST YOUNG MEN
Posted By: Josh Feinberg-NJNets.com Staff
July 18, 2008

Continuing on our summer school tour, the next stop will bring the young Nets cross country to Salt Lake City. The Nets will look to continue their winning ways from Orlando with their rookie trio.

The Nets will head out West to the state of Utah for the Rocky Mountain Revue at the SLCC Redwood Campus, July 21-29. Joining the Nets will be the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, the NBA D-League’s Ambassadors, and the Iranian National team.

Marcus Williams, now in his third year with the Nets, will be leading the pack. The summer league veteran played in the previous two Orlando Summer Leagues in 2006 and 2007. Williams had been selected to the Orlando Pro All-Tournament First Team in 2007 and Second Team in 2006. In addition, current Nets Sean Williams and Maurice Ager will be in attendance.

When speaking of the Nets’ rookie trio; so far so good. The seven foot big man, Brook Lopez, was the main attraction this past week in Orlando. The Stanford standout came home with a selection to the Orlando Pro All-Tournament First Team. There was actually a great deal of buzz coming out of Orlando that Lopez was the best player there. This was quite a feat considering that the summer league included Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and Jeff Green.

Lopez had a superb week in Orlando. Coming into the NBA, he knows he still has much to learn.

"I thought it went well. It's really been a learning experience for me. Offensively, to take my time, slow down and let the plays come to me. Defensively like I said the whole week was just to adjust to the tempo of the game," Lopez remarked.

Fellow draft picks Ryan Anderson and Chris Douglas-Roberts will continue show of their talents in the transition from college to the NBA. In addition to the Nets’ three draft picks is Jaycee Carrol. The undrafted guard had a very impressive week in Orlando, capturing a spot on the Orlando Pro All-Tournament Second Team. With hopes of making the Nets opening day roster, Carrol will be looking to return to Utah where he starred for Utah State for four years and show that he belongs in the NBA.

This summer has been one for the ages. With the re-arrangement of the Nets roster, a memorable draft and a successful week in Orlando, the Nets hope to continue their winning ways in Utah. Nets fans can follow the Nets summer league team at Summer League Central at njnets.com.