Undrafted players look to summer leagues as route to NBA

Duke's Trevon Duval, UNC's Theo Pinson and Joel Berry, and Wake Forest's Doral Moore and Bryant Crawford are among those hoping to make a positive impression

Former UNC star Theo Pinson is one of many players with state ties scheduled to play in the NBA's summer leagues this month (Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports)

  Duke’s Trevon Duval, UNC’s Theo Pinson and Joel Berry and the Wake Forest duo of Doral Moore and Bryant Crawford were among those players that weren’t selected in the recent NBA draft, forcing them to take the indirect route to the league.

  That difficult journey will begin this week as they look to open some eyes in one of three NBA summer league tournaments.

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  Of the five, Pinson has the most optimistic chance for success after signing a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The two-way deal guarantees him a spot on the Nets’ G-League roster if he isn’t able to make the NBA squad.

  Wake’s Crawford will also suit up for the Nets this summer with hopes of earning an invitation to the team’s preseason training camp while fellow Deacon Doral Moore will play for the Washington Wizards and Duval for the Houston Rockets. Pinson’s former Tar Heel teammate Berry will cast his lot with Los Angeles Lakers

  In addition to the newly minted undrafted free agents, a collection of other veterans looking to earn training camp invites as well as young players already under contract will take part in the action in Salt Lake City, Sacramento and Las Vegas.

  The four-day Utah Jazz Summer League begins Monday with the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and host Jazz participating. The California Classic will also be held from July 2-5 between the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings.

  The more prestigious Vegas Summer League, involving all 30 NBA teams, runs from July 6-17.  Games in all three leagues will be televised by NBA TV and ESPN.

  Here is a list of all players with North Carolina ties set to take part in summer league action:

ATLANTA HAWKS

John Collins, 6-10, F, Wake Forest

BOSTON CELTICS

Pierria Henry, 6-5, G, Charlotte

BROOKLYN NETS

Theo Pinson, 6-6, G, UNC

Bryant Crawford, 6-5, G, Wake Forest

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Gabe Devoe, 6-2, G, Shelby (Clemson)

Terry Henderson, 6-4, G, NC State

Brice Johnson, 6-10, F, UNC

Devonte Graham, 6-2, G, Raleigh (Kansas)

CHICAGO BULLS

Wendell Carter Jr., 6-10, F, Duke

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Dennis Smith Jr., 6-3, G, NC State

DENVER NUGGETS

Kennedy Meeks, 6-10, C, UNC

DETROIT PISTONS

Luke Kennard, 6-5, G, Duke

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

J.P. Tokoto, 6-6, F, UNC

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Trevon Duval, 6-3, G, Duke

LA CLIPPERS

Jerome Robinson, 6-5, G, Raleigh (Boston College)

LA LAKERS

Joel Berry, 6-0, G, UNC

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Frank Jackson, 6-3, G, Duke

NEW YORK KNICKS

Isaiah Hicks, 6-9, F, UNC

ORLANDO MAGIC

Rodney Purvis, 6-4, G, Raleigh (UConn/NC State)

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Gary Trent Jr., 6-6, G, Duke

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Allerick Freeman, 6-3, G, NC State

Harry Giles, 6-11, F, Duke

Justin Jackson, 6-8, F, UNC

Marvin Bagley III, 6-11, F, Duke

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Maverick Rowan, 6-7, G, NC State

TORONTO RAPTORS

Codi Miller-McIntyre, 6-3, G, Wake Forest

UTAH JAZZ

Grayson Allen, 6-5, G, Duke

Peyton Aldridge, 6-8, F, Davidson

Tony Bradley, 6-10, C, UNC

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Doral Moore, 7-1, C, Wake Forest