Milwaukee Bucks add Jequan Lewis, Reggie Upshaw, Tim Kempton for Summer League
By Adam McGee
Following Thursday night’s draft, the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly agreed to deals with three players to play for their Summer League team in Las Vegas.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Summer League roster continues to take shape after a busy few hours of negotiations for the team’s front office.
While the team’s draft selections of D.J. Wilson and Sterling Brown grabbed the headlines, along with the news of a free agent deal for former Wisconsin Badger Bronson Koenig, the Bucks were also busy adding to Achille Polonara with Summer League players.
According to various reports, VCU’s JeQuan Lewis, Lehigh’s Tim Kempton, and Middle Tennessee State’s Reggie Upshaw will all suit up for the Bucks in Las Vegas next month.
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News of Lewis’ agreement came from Tim Pearrell of the Richmond Times Dispatch, who also explained that the 21-year-old’s deal will see him play a bigger part in the Bucks’ future than just Summer League.
"“Lewis, who was not picked in Thursday’s NBA draft, said the deal includes an invitation to the Bucks’ training camp and, if he doesn’t make the roster, a spot with their Wisconsin Herd team in the rebranded NBA G League.”"
According to Pearrell, Lewis will report to Milwaukee on Monday, and he quoted the guard as saying:
"“I’m lost for words,” Lewis said in a text message. “I put myself in a great position, and I won’t let it slip.”"
Lewis previously visited Milwaukee for a workout on May 4. That was the Bucks’ very first group workout of this year’s process, and another player who attended that day will also be joining up with Lewis at Summer League.
Lehigh’s Tim Kempton must also have made an impression, as Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo reported his place on the Bucks’ Las Vegas squad.
Lehigh big man Tim Kempton will play summer league with the Milwaukee Bucks, his agent @ronniezeidel tells me.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 23, 2017
Kempton is the son of former NBA player Tim Kempton, and was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016.
It’s also worth noting that Kempton signed a deal with Spain’s Athletic Bilbao last week. It’s not uncommon for players to sign deals in Europe and gain permission to try their luck in Summer League in search of NBA opportunity.
Jeremy Woo also reported that Middle Tennessee State’s Reggie Upshaw will join the Vegas Bucks.
Middle Tennessee State’s Reggie Upshaw will join the Milwaukee Bucks for Summer League, agent @ronniezeidel informs me.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 23, 2017
Upshaw worked out for Milwaukee on May 5, and completed his senior season with averages of 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
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With Milwaukee’s young players and draft picks likely headed to Summer League too, the Bucks’ roster for the tournament is quickly filling up. Expect further announcements in the next week or so.