NBA Summer League 2012: Undrafted Free Agents Who Have Proven They Belong
Every undrafted free agent playing at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas hopes to leave enough of an impression to earn a spot on an NBA roster.
That's exactly what these three players have done, although only one has officially earned a contract with his team.
Read on to find out who they are.
Josh Akognon
Through three games with the Sacramento Kings, Josh Akognon has impressed everyone as he's become the leading scorer among all undrafted players.
The undersized 5'11" guard did his college time at Cal State Fullerton and put up sensational numbers, but his 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 turnovers per game during the Las Vegas Summer League might be just as spectacular.
Using his attack-first mentality, Akognon has used his outside shot often while complementing it with his ability to drive past defenders and get into the painted area. He's a little too small to finish over the trees of the defense, but he's had no problem shooting 53.3 percent from the field by going around and under their outstretched arms.
Chris Copeland
The New York Knicks are all aboard the Chris Copeland train, as they signed the 28-year-old power forward to their training camp roster after just two games in Las Vegas.
Since then, Copeland continued his run of great play by recording 15 points, seven rebounds, an assist and two steals against the Denver Nuggets, then 17 points, four rebounds and an assist against the Toronto Raptors.
The undersized forward spent the past few years playing for various teams overseas after failing to make the NBA straight out of Colorado. However, with his smooth mid-range shooting, three-point range and ability to drive through the defense and finish at or around the rim, Copeland looks like he could stick around with the Knicks, helping the second unit maintain an offensive presence when Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire need a break.
Scott Machado
When Scott Machado was playing at Iona, he was one of the absolute best point guards in the country, maybe even the No. 1 collegiate player at his position.
Then, he shockingly went undrafted, passed on by all 60 picks. Machado latched onto the Houston Rockets during Summer League and he's averaged more assists than everyone in attendance except Kemba Walker and Eric Bledsoe.
Machado has averaged 8.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game in five appearances, and many of those dimes came in flashy fashion. The dude can pass the ball.
As he got more comfortable playing with his teammates, Machado excelled more and more. His scoring output increased each game and his three best assist totals came in his three final games, highlighted by his 10-assist performance against the Sacramento Kings and his 20-point, six-assist outing in the finale against the Chicago Bulls.
