The LA Clippers are continuing to pursue young talent, and have reportedly added Syracuse forward Oshae Brissett to their Summer League team.
The NBA Draft may be over, but the LA Clippers are reportedly still scouring the market for undrafted free agents to continue building their team. According to reporter Adam Zagoria, one of those players is 6’8″ Syracuse standout Oshae Brissett, who will join the Clippers for Summer League.
Brissett, who turned 21 on Thursday, likely would have been drafted had he not taken a significant step back during his sophomore season with the Orange. After averaging 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds in his successful freshman campaign, he recorded just 12.4 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season, albeit in roughly five minutes less per game. His percentages from three-point range and the free throw line also decreased as a sophomore, though his percentage from the field jumped from 35.4 percent to 39.3, almost four full points.
Outside of his jump shot, though, Brissett appears to be a solid, all-around player. He’s got great size at 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan, and his rebounding numbers are impressive for a wing. He’s been noted as a solid defender as well, though considering he played zone at Syracuse, he may not be as ready to play man defense. He’s certainly quick enough and big enough though, and with a chip on his shoulder, he could become a Summer League standout.
Brissett will join Mfiondu Kabengele and Terance Mann on LA’s Summer League team, both of whom the Clippers took in Thursday night’s draft.
The Clippers traded up to the No. 27 pick in order to select Kabengele, a 6’10” big from Florida State and the nephew of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. Both he and Brissett are natives of Canada, and both are familiar with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
After sending away the No. 56 pick in a package to the Brooklyn Nets, the Clippers used their last remaining pick, No. 48, to select Mann. Also from Florida State, Mann is a versatile defender with plenty of two-way potential.
Jerome Robinson will also be joining the trio of Brissett, Kabengele and Mann on the Clippers’ Summer League team, while Landry Shamet and Gilgeous-Alexander are not expected to play.
The LA Clippers might not be done looking at undrafted free agents, but if they are, their rookie class is certainly better than some would have expected it to look. Kabengele, Mann and Brissett should all show out in Summer League, and the latter two could end up with the Clippers’ G League team depending on their performances.
Keep an eye out as NBA teams continue to sign undrafted players to two-way contracts and Summer League deals. As for the LA Clippers, look forward to seeing their new players take the floor in early July.