Although the 2010 National Basketball Association draft on June 24 concluded with Palo Alto High School (’06) and Harvard University (’10) graduate Jeremy Lin undrafted, Lin’s dream of playing in the NBA is far from over. Lin will have another chance to show off his basketball skills in front of NBA scouts by playing on Dallas Mavericks summer league team from July 9 to July 18.
“I was disappointed because I thought there were some potential opportunities for me to get drafted, but fortunately, getting drafted isn’t the only way to make the NBA.” Lin said. “I get to play in the NBA summer league and try to impress some of the teams.”
The alternate pathway to the NBA presented itself right away, according to Lin’s high school basketball coach Peter Diepenbrock, who was with Lin on draft day.
“I was watching it [NBA draft] with him and I thought it was very cool that right when the last pick was made, his phone rang and it was the Mavericks’ general manager asking him to play on their summer league team,” Diepenbrock said.
Of the 22 NBA teams participating in the 2010 NBA Summer League, Lin will join the Mavericks team along with other undrafted players looking for another chance to get signed.
“I’m playing on the Mavericks summer league team from July 9 to July 18, and then that determines what the rest of my summer will look like,” Lin said.
Lin has already begun playing at his first mini camp with the Dallas Mavericks.
“Mini camp just started, but it’s been a great experience,” Lin said. “It’s been really fun to finally play in a five-on-five setting again, but it’s definitely hard work, and you have to learn very, very quickly otherwise you’ll get left behind.”
Coming from an Ivy League school is a huge jump in skill level to the NBA, and that difference will make it very difficult for Lin to crack the roster of an NBA team this year, according to Diepenbrock. However, Diepenbrock expressed that Lin’s work ethic and basketball intelligence combined with his natural ability could get him into the NBA if the right team gives him an opportunity.
“One thing I have learned about Jeremy over the years is he loves a challenge,” Diepenbrock said. “And every basketball challenge he has faced in his career he has passed with flying colors. So I would not be shocked to see him in the NBA one day.”