Former Virginia Tech Basketball Players Getting Looks in the NBA
By Ty Hodges
Today, two former Virginia Tech basketball players went head to head (kind 0f) in the NBA Summer League. Yesterday we reported that Malcolm Delaney would be playing for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League, and today the Pistons played the Utah Jazz in Summer League action. As fate would have it, another former Virginia Tech basketball player would be playing against Delaney’s Pistons – former teammate Deron Washington.
Because he was such a late addition to the Pistons roster, Delaney didn’t see the court today. That didn’t stop Deron Washington from putting on a show, however.
After being outscored 32-11 in the 3rd quarter, Utah put Deron Washington into the game and that’s when he proceeded to take over the show. Washington, who earned the nickname “Crash” from the commentators, saw just under nine minutes of play but led the Jazz in scoring.
In just 8:56 of floor time, Washington put up a team-high 13 points. Washington was 4-5 shooting and 3-3 from behind the 3-point line. His other made shot from the floor was on the receiving end of an alley-oop. Washington was fouled late in the fourth quarter while taking a 3-pointer and was sent to the free-throw line with an opportunity to make the game close, but he missed all three free-throws. Washington finished 2-7 from the free-throw line today.
Despite his poor free-throw shooting, Washington made a good impression on everyone in attendance, especially the commentators, late in the game. We’ll see how Deron progresses as the Summer League moves forward. Delaney, on the other hand, is prepared to play when he is called upon.
Outside of Washington and Delaney, Terrell Bell tweeted today that he was going to be playing in the NBA D-League this upcoming season. Bell did state that he didn’t know with which team he would be playing for though.
Whatever the case may be, it’s going to be exciting to see how these former Virginia Tech basketball players handle themselves within the NBA’s structure (D-Leauge or otherwise).
The last Virginia Tech basketball player to play in the NBA was Zabian Dowdell during the 2010-11 season for the Phoenix Suns. It would be exciting to see another Hokie playing in the NBA, and hopefully one of these players can make a splash this summer.