Despite not being selected in the NBA draft June 26, LSU starters Collis Temple III and Ronald Dupree are getting another shot at the big leagues.
Both players are listed on the Detroit Pistons’ summer roster and already have seen action during summer league competition.
“The draft was pretty disappointing for me,” Dupree said.
Dupree, a forward, said although he has not signed a contract, several teams, including Detroit, have expressed interest in him following the draft. He said being asked to join Detroit’s summer league gives NBA coaches another chance to see what he can do on the court.
In a July 8 game against Minnesota, Dupree had 15 points in 27 minutes of play.
“I had a good game,” Dupree said. “I think my chances [of making an NBA roster] are real good. I can’t get my hopes up, though. I have to concentrate on playing well.”
In 14 minutes of play, Temple, a guard, scored 7 points with 2 three -pointers.
Dupree said he enjoys still getting to play with Temple.
“We’re having fun,” he said.
Four NBA summer professional leagues exist: Southern California, Reebok, Reebok Rocky Mountain and the Pepsi Pro League.
The Detroit Pistons’ summer team is part of the six-team Pepsi Pro League in Orlando, Fla.
Dupree said he hopes to play next in the Rocky Mountain League set for July 18 to 26 in Salt Lake City.
Temple and Dupree will play four more games this week against Orlando, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Miami.
Dupree said because he is playing to impress coaches and join an NBA team, and doing little things on the court is more important.
“The NBA is very different than college,” Dupree said. “It’s a more one-on-one game.”