Joel Bolomboy

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LAS VEGAS – The Denver Nuggets used a strong third quarter blitz to defeat the Utah Jazz, 80 – 60, Thursday night in the Las Vegas Summer League tournament.

Jamal Murray and Jimmer Fredette got off to a hot start, scoring 15 of the first 37 points for the Nuggets. Murray finished with 20 points while Fredette added 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

“I’m just getting better as the days go on,” Murray said. “I’m just trying to help the team win.”

Denver also used a balanced attack, with 11 players scoring at least a bucket.

Both the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz came into the game with plenty of energy. But there were still some typical Summer League miscues, such as sloppy passing and unforced turnovers.

At the end of it all, the Nuggets stepped up when it mattered most.

Denver outscored the Jazz by 15 points in the third period and carried that momentum into the final period.

Aaron Craft, Shaquielle McKissic, and Dionte Christmas scored 10 points apiece for the Jazz. Joel Bolomboy had six points and eight rebounds.

The Nuggets will play the Phoenix Suns in a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday at 4 p.m. MST at Thomas and Mack Center.

The Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 80-60 during their fourth 2016 Summer League game held at the Thomas And Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV.

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Game 4: Nuggets In-Tune Against the Jazz

The Denver Nuggets will face off against the Utah Jazz in their first Las Vegas Summer League tournament game at Cox Pavilion on Monday night. Tournament play started on Wednesday, but the Nuggets finished with a top five record in preliminary play and received a first round bye.

Denver is coming off a loss to the Miami Heat where rookie Jamal Murray played his best game of Summer League, scoring 29 points. Murray is averaging 16.3 points per game, leading the Nuggets in scoring amongst players who have played at least two games.

Seven Nuggets have played every game in Summer League so far – Ondrej Balvin, Petr Cornelie, Jimmer Fredette, Juan Hernangomez, Jamal Murray, JaKarr Sampson, and Axel Toupane. Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris played in the first game but have been resting due to their upcoming participation with the USA Basketball Select team.

The Utah Jazz won their opening round matchup against the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday.

Trey Lyles, the leading scorer of the Las Vegas Summer League at 29.0 points per game, rested against Portland but may see action tonight. The Nuggets’ backcourt have their hands full with Lyles, Aaron Craft, and Spencer Butterfield all capable of scoring in bunches.

Up front, Hernangomez and Cornelie will be dealing with Tibor Pleiss and Joel Bolomboy. Both Pleiss and Bolomboy had solid games against Portland, combining for 34 points and 17 rebounds. The Nuggets will also have to defend the three-point line against a Jazz team that has shot 38.9% from deep in the Las Vegas Summer League.

The game starts at 6 p.m. MST and will be televised on NBA TV.

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Summer League: Nuggets vs Jazz Preview

How has this process been going so far?
It’s been going good. After this week, I only have two workouts left with Toronto and Charlotte and then I’m done until the draft. I will just go home and workout.

What’s your main focus coming into these workouts?
Just to show everybody I’m a competitor. I can guard multiple positions, I’m consistent, high energy. I have a great motor, I never stop. I’m a great rebounder.

If drafted by the Nuggets, how do you see yourself fitting into the current roster?
I see myself fitting in perfectly. Just y energy and my motor. I’m a consistent guy. I show up every single day, every single practice and every single game. I’m able to do so much out there on the court. I can guard multiple positions. I can hit open shots whether it’s mid-range or three. I have a pretty good handle to my game and I can attack and create offense for my teammates.

If there was one thing you’d want the Nuggets organization and Denver fans to know, what would it be?
One interesting thing is that my dad is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. My mom’s from Russia and I was born in Ukraine. I can speak French and Russian.

Who do you compare your game to in the NBA?
I’m a huge Dennis Rodman fan. Just the way he played and the stuff he did on the court. Just the nastiness and the energy, the way he rebounded. He had so many games where he had like 48 points and 20 rebounds. Also one of my favorite players I like to model is Kenneth Faried. I also compare to Tristan Thompson and a little bit of Blake Griffin.

What does the rest of your summer look like?
Things are winding down. Time’s going by quick. I only have two workouts left and that’s it for the summer.

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Prospect Q&A: Joel Bolomboy

The Denver Nuggets will conduct another pre-draft workout with six players on Thursday, June 10. This will be the seventh workout that has been held at Pepsi Center for draft hopefuls.

DeAndre Bembry, a 6’6” junior forward from St. John’s, was named the 2015-16 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as well as the Big 5 Player of the Year. He was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team. Bembry finished his career with 1,590 points, good for 15th on the school’s all-time list. He also finished 25th in career rebounds with 672. Bembry played three years at St. John’s and helped lead the Hawks to two Atlantic 10 titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Joel Bolomboy, a 6’9” senior forward/center from Weber State, finished as one of the best players in the school’s history. He finished his career as both WSU’s and the Big Sky’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,312). Bolomboy also finished his career as the all-time leader in blocked shots with 179 and is also the school’s seventh leading scorer with 1,484 points.

Taurean Prince, a 6’8” senior forward from Baylor, led the Bears to a 95-48 record in his four years there. This includes three NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2013 NIT championship. Prince finished his career ranked 13th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,321 points. He also picked up two All-Big 12 selections in 2016 as well as the 2015 national Sixth Man of the Year award.

Cheick Diallo, a 6’9” forward from Kansas, played one season and averaged 3.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and shot 56.7% from the field in 7.5 minutes per game. Diallo had some solid showings, including a 13 point, six rebound performance against Loyola (MD) and another against Holy Cross where he put up 12 points and four rebounds.

Antwan Scott, a 6’2” redshirt senior guard from CSU, earned an All-Mountain West selection after averaging a team-high 16.4 points per game along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Scott was a solid shooter as well, ranking in the top 40 in three pointers made (96) in Division I play. 96 three pointers also set a new school single-season record.

Wes Washpun, a 6’1” redshirt senior guard from Northern Iowa, averaged 14.2 points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in the 2015-16 season. He led UNI in assists per game and is currently fourth overall on the all-time list. Washpun was also named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2016 MVC Tournament, averaging 16.3 points and 51.4% shooting from the field.

The Nuggets currently hold five selections in the 2016 NBA Draft, including the seventh, 15th and 19th overall picks.

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Pre-Draft Workout: June 10

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