While Oregon State alum Gary Payton II and Jared Cunningham both couldn’t help their team to victories on Friday, the duo of former Beavers did have another day of strong individual performances to keep their solid showings in the 2017 Las Vegas NBA Summer League going.
Payton II pitched in 12 points on 5-8 shooting from the field, as well as 4 rebounds and 3 steals in the Milwaukee Bucks 97-76 loss to the Utah Jazz. As for Cunningham, he added a speedy 9 points in just 11 minutes of action, including a 4-4 day from the free-throw stripe, in the Washington Wizards 80-73 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As has been the story for most of the Summer League, Payton II has looked to play himself into the conversation to become a legitimate, defensive-emphasis bench player for the Bucks, who can log valuable minutes for the team next season. Cunningham on the other hand, has shown flashes of his brilliant scoring abilities (and his knack for getting to the free-throw line) but he currently hasn’t been offered a deal by either the Wizards or another NBA franchise.
Payton II and Cunningham are currently the only two Oregon State alums who are participating in the 2017 Las Vegas NBA Summer League. Earlier this summer, former Beaver Eric Moreland earned a contract with the Detroit Pistons, after his impressive play during the team at the 2017 Orlando NBA Summer League.