Vandy fans should be keeping a close eye on the Vegas Summer League this July - they'll see a few familiar faces. A.J. Ogilvy became the second Vanderbilt alum to play for the Chicago Bulls' exhibition team this summer after agreeing to join the squad after failing to be drafted in last week's draft. He'll likely join last year's Summer League standout Derrick Byars, who made it through what seemed to be final cuts with the team last year before getting the axe the day before the NBA's regular season started in 2009.
Ogilvy will be in line for plenty of playing time as the team's only legitimate center, but he'll be joined by former standout big men Samardo Samuels, Trent Plaisted, and Rob Kurz. Samuels, like Ogilvy, was another high-profile snub from this year's draft. The situation seems like a great one for the Australian, as the Bulls lack a second true center behind Joakim Noah with the eminent departure of Brad Miller. However, Chicago is loaded with cap space and will be looking to add some big men in free agency, which would cloud Ogilvy's chances for a roster spot.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks will be bringing in former SEC Player of the Year Shan Foster to bolster their outside scoring in the Vegas Summer League, and have also offered Byars a spot to try-out if he decides against the Bulls in 2010. Also invited to the Mavs' mini-camp? Dolla Dolla BEAL, y'all. However, Jermaine Beal will have plenty of competition on a team stocked with guards (four players that can handle the point). He'll likely present the biggest Commodore longshot headed into the Summer League this year.
We'll have coverage of the summer leagues - and break down the performances of our beloved ex-Commodores - as the exhibition season progresses. With a possible four 'Dores headed to the NBA with impressive performances, this will be one of the most memorable Summer Leagues that Vandy fans have ever seen.