Mavericks announce 2017 Las Vegas Summer League roster

The Dallas Mavericks have announce their roster for the 2017 MGM Grand Las Vegas Summer League and it’s loaded with NBA-proven talent. Take a look:

Players like Yogi Ferrell and Dorian Finney-Smith started a combined 64 games last season for Dallas with each playing more than 1,000 minutes. Nicolas Brussino started another two games and appeared in 54 games. While A.J. Hammons spent most of the season between the Mavs and the Texas Legends, the team’s D-League affiliate, he appeared in 22 games and totaled 163 minutes.

With these four players alone, the Mavs have to be one of the favorites to compete for the Summer League championship. Add in first round draft pick Dennis Smith, Jr. and this team could probably compete in the Eastern Conference this season.

Beyond those familiar names are a few other recognizable ones. Jonathan Motley, who the Mavs recently signed as a two-way player will be in Vegas following his stint with the team at the Orlando Pro Summer League. His teammate from Orlando, Ding Yanyuhang, the current Chinese Basketball Association MVP, will also make the trip to Sin City.

Josh Adams played college ball at Wyoming. He was named the Mountain West Player of the Year in his final season with the Cowboys. He played with the Denver Nuggets in 2016 during Summer League before heading to Russia to join Avtodor Saratov.

Beyond basketball, Adams’ story is one of recovery. In August of last year, he was severely injured in a car crash that left him with a broken neck and dislocated sternum. Since then, he’s been recovering, working to get back on the court. If you’re looking for a feel-good story, look no further than Adams.

Corey Webster has spent almost his entire professional career playing in New Zealand. He’s won three championships there with the New Zealand Breakers. In 2015, he played for the New Orleans Pelicans during preseason.

Torian Graham went undrafted in this year’s draft out of Arizona State University. In his one season of eligibility there, he led the team in scoring with an average of 18.6 points per game including 108 made 3-pointers on the season. The Mavericks signed him the day after the draft.

Carrick Felix is also out of ASU. He was drafted 33rd overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 draft. He was later traded to the Jazz before being waived. Since that time he has played in the D-League for the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Long Island Nets. He’s appeared in a total of seven NBA games.

Steven Spieth is the hometown hero. Spieth, who is from Dallas and attended Jesuit College Prep for high school, played for Brown University in college. In his senior season with the Bears, Spieth averaged 17.3 points on 48.7 percent shooting. He also connected on 40.7 of his 3-point attempts. He also pulled down six rebounds and dished 3.3 assists. Oh, and if his last name looks familiar, it’s because his brother is PGA golfer Jordan Spieth.

You gotta love how Mark Cuban pulls off these PR moves.

Each of the Mavs’ first three games will be broadcast locally in Dallas on TXA 21 and nationally on NBA TV. Mavs Moneyball will also be live in Vegas for some of the action, so look forward to some behind the scenes scoop!