Halifax Rainmen point guard Eric Gilchrese could get a chance to strut his stuff at Las Vegas’ annual NBA Summer League.
Manchester Millrats assistant coach David Jernigan said he has received approval to take a team of professional all-stars to the July 9-18 event and that he will consider Gilchrese among the “two or three” players he takes from the Premier Basketball League.
The six-foot Gilchrese split this season between Manchester and Halifax. His numbers took a hit when he joined the Rainmen in a backup role at mid-season, but he averaged 13.9 points and 2.9 assists in 19 games overall.
“I like Eric, I like him a lot,” said Jernigan, who coached Gilchrese for 11 games in Manchester. “He carries himself well, he plays hard, he competes hard, his heart’s in the game and his attitude is right.”
Jernigan said he will pick a maximum of 12 players. He wants to give minor-leaguers a chance to make an impression on scouts and help them move on to a higher level.
Last summer, 21 NBA teams had entries in Las Vegas in addition to a squad of NBA D-League all-stars.
“I want to get them a chance to get looked at by some NBA scouts and some international scouts,” said Jernigan, a former pro player who attended NBA training camps with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. “It gives the young guys an opportunity to get looked at.”
Gilchrese was also named an injury replacement for teammate Tony Bennett for the PBL all-star game, which will be held this coming Sunday at the Metro Centre.
