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With so many former Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA, it can be easy to forget those still trying to find their way. Three former Cats found out on Friday that have been invited to showcase their skills at the NBA’s G-League Elite Mini Camp in Chicago before the Draft Combine.
Derek Willis of the Grand Rapids Drive, James Young from the Delaware Blue Coats, and Archie Goodwin of the North Arizona Suns will represent Kentucky at the Mini Camp, which will take place on May 14th and 15th. This camp will allow NBA scouts who are in town for the Combine to take a look at some of the talent in the G-League.
The goal for these guys would be to earn an invitation to participate in a summer league or potentially even a camp invite leading up to next season.
Young and Goodwin have each spent parts of four different seasons in the NBA, but Goodwin was in the G-League for the entirety of 2017-18 and Young only played in 6 NBA games in addition to his G-League activity. They are both desperate to find their way back on an NBA roster.
Derek Willis was waived by the Detroit Pistons prior to the 2017-2018 season and has yet to see his first NBA action. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 43 appearances in the G-League while shooting nearly 38% from behind the three point line.
This is a huge opportunity for all three guys, as only 39 players were invited to the Mini Camp.
Which of these three former Cats do you think has the best chance of getting a shot with an NBA team?