Wright, two draft picks headline Hornets roster
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
New Orleans will open its game participation in NBA Summer League on Sunday, July 12 in Las Vegas, facing San Antonio at 3 p.m. Central time. Heres a look at each member of the Hornets roster:HORNETS VETERANSJulian WrightThe 6-foot-8 wing player is playing in Las Vegas for the third straight year. With as much NBA game experience (111 career games, including 20 starts) as virtually anyone wholl be suiting up in Vegas this summer, its reasonable to hope that he quickly asserts himself as one of the leagues top players.Anthony TolliverHe was on the Hornets roster in January after a slew of injuries hit and he was signed to a 10-day contract, but did not end up appearing in a game. The 6-foot-9 power forward played in 19 games for the Spurs early in the 2008-09 season, averaging 11.0 minutes for a San Antonio club that was also significantly depleted by injuries.2009 DRAFT PICKSDarren CollisonThe 6-foot point guard from UCLA was expected to be given the video playbook by the Hornets coaching staff to study. Byron Scott said by learning as much of the offensive scheme as possible now, it should make for a smoother transition for the rookie, a la Chris Paul in 2005. By the way, Collison is wearing uniform No. 2, like he did for the Bruins.Marcus ThorntonThe Louisiana State shooting guard will wear the same No. 5 jersey for the Hornets that he sported with the Tigers in college. He was the 43rd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by Miami, but New Orleans dealt two future second-round choices to the Heat to obtain the Baton Rouge native.NBA EXPERIENCE ON OTHER TEAMSEarl BarronA 7-foot center, the University of Memphis product played three seasons for the Miami Heat, totaling 82 games from 2005-06 through 2007-08. He was not in the NBA last season. Barron started 15 games for an 07-08 Heat club that was decimated by injuries and had virtually every prominent player sidelined at some point.HORNETS SUMMER LEAGUE EXPERIENCELarry OwensIf you watched summer league last year, you may remember Owens for scoring a game-winning putback at the buzzer to beat Cleveland. This 6-foot-7 forward played for Oral Roberts in college and has spent the past three seasons in the Belgium and France pro leagues.NO NBA EXPERIENCELuke NevillThe 7-foot-2 Australian center and University of Utah alum was invited to work out by the Hornets last month. He capped his four-year career with the Utes by averaging 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, all team highs.Terry MartinThe 6-foot-6 forward from LSU worked out for the Hornets on June 16. Like his college teammate Thornton, Martin is a Louisiana native, hailing from Monroe. Martin averaged 4.5 points and started three times for LSU last season.Marc SalyersAn eight-year pro basketball veteran, all in overseas leagues. A Chicago native, the 30-year-old forward played college ball at Samford. His pro career highlight may be a 40-point game he had in Euroleague competition in 2007.Earl CallowayA 6-3 point guard from the University of Indiana, his two-year pro career has included an excellent D-League stint in which he averaged 19 points per game. He also was named an all-league second-teamer at the 2008 Orlando NBA summer league. He was joined on that quintet by Mario Chalmers and Marcin Gortat, as well as...Jaycee Carroll... Carroll also was tabbed as a second-team choice in Orlando last July. He played for New Jerseys entry in Orlando, but also suited up for Toronto at the 2008 NBA Summer League in Vegas. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is Utah States all-time leading scorer.Brian CusworthA 7-foot center who graduated from Harvard in 2007 and has said he will pursue a medical degree. He played in the Spanish pro league last season and was on Golden States summer roster in 2008.