Plano, Texas — When the Dallas Mavericks take the court Thursday in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, two first-round draft picks will be at the center of the action. The roster announced Friday places ninth overall selection Morez Johnson Jr. and 25th pick Sergio De Larrea at the forefront of the 13-player squad.
Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward from Michigan, signed his rookie deal Thursday. De Larrea, a 6-foot-7 guard from Valladolid, Spain, inked his four-year contract Friday after averaging 9.4 points and 3.5 assists for Valencia Basket. He earned Liga ACB Best Young Player and Spanish Super Cup MVP honors.
Six nations are represented on the summer roster. The Diaz Graham twins join De Larrea from Spain, Lawal comes from England, Ishchenko from Russia, and Nembhard from Canada. Lawal was selected 48th overall and Ishchenko 56th, giving Dallas four draft picks on the squad.
Returning Mavericks include Nembhard, who posted 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game in his rookie year. Poulakidas and Smith, both late-season additions, return after limited action. Four-year NBA veteran Jaden Springer also joins the group.
