Landen Lucas making most of NBA summer league
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball fans get to see many former Jayhawks in action this summer. Landen Lucas is already making a positive impression with the Celtics.
It is great fun to watch Bill Self’s former Kansas basketball stars in summer league action. While I don’t obsess over the NBA, I do want to see how the Jayhawks perform.
Landen Lucas spent 5-years in Lawrence and began the next chapter of his basketball life this week in NBA summer league.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward is playing for the Boston Celtics this summer. They opened play on Monday in the Utah Jazz Summer League with a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. After a day off for Independence Day, San Antonio topped the Celtics Wednesday.
The best news for Kansas basketball fans, Lucas played and played well in both games. Despite some unnecessary fouls Lucas made the most of his opportunities.
He scored one point, grabbed four rebounds, had an assist, a steal and a big blocked shot in 9 minutes of action against the 76ers.
Landen! Lucas! 🖐#UtahJazzSL pic.twitter.com/hoklhABOW6
— Salt Lake City Summer League (@SLCSummerLeague) July 4, 2017
He only shot 33 percent in the two games. Then again, he is not there to score. The NBA reported Lucas is averaging 3.5 rebounds in his limited court time during the two summer contest. While former Kansas basketball star Paul Pierce was a great scorer, he also was recognized as a top rebounder during his time with Boston. Coach Brad Stevens and the Celtics will need some rebounding help off the bench. Lucas could fill that role nicely.
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The Las Vegas summer league runs July 7-17. Lucas and the Celtics will play in that also. Many of the games are on television. Tune in and watch former Kansas basketball stars in action.