Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon McCoy’s Summer League opportunity

By Adam McGee | Jul 5, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 17: Brandon McCoy #44 of the UNLV Rebels stands on the court before his team's game against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 17, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Having gone undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Brandon McCoy will be a player worth watching very closely for the Milwaukee Bucks in Summer League.

Rashad Vaughn‘s presence on Summer League rosters over the past few years had ensured a reason for hometown support for the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas, and although Vaughn is now elsewhere, there’s good reason why the Bucks may still get more than their share of Runnin’ Rebel support this year.

The best known former UNLV player on the Bucks’ roster for the event is undoubtedly Christian Wood, who continues his fight to earn a place in the NBA, but it’s a player who has suited up at the Thomas and Mack Center much more recently who may hold the greatest intrigue for Milwaukee’s fans.

Having gambled and entered the NBA Draft following his freshman season under Marvin Menzies’ guidance, Brandon McCoy faced the disappointment of not hearing his name called out among the first 60 picks on draft night.

More from Bucks News

As consolation for McCoy, he was quickly snapped up by the Bucks as a free agent, and considering his age, ability, physical profile and Milwaukee’s positions of need, it’s safe to say he’s landed in a spot which could open up NBA opportunities in the future.

A McDonald’s All-American in 2017, McCoy averaged a double-double in his only year in college, and possesses the kind of frame that leaves no reason as to why he couldn’t carve out a successful career for himself in the NBA as a pro.

McCoy just turned 20 years old on June 11, and standing just over 7’0″ tall with a 9’0″ standing reach, he certainly has the potential to become an impactful center in the years to come, making him just the kind of player worth gambling on at this time of the year.

If McCoy can produce anything close to the 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks he averaged at UNLV during his time in Summer League, it would be hard to argue against him deserving a more meaningful, long-term look from the Bucks.

Coming out of a draft where the Bucks didn’t have the luxury of adding a young prospect in the second round, McCoy could act as a second round caliber prospect if he can do enough to convince Jon Horst and his front office colleagues to take an extended look at his game either via the Bucks or the Wisconsin Herd.

Speaking to Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal following McCoy’s signing with the Bucks, his trainer Shaun Manning expressed his confidence in McCoy’s ability to show what’s he capable of in Summer League.

"“He’s definitely going to show what he can do. I think the advantage that he has after this year is he can sign with any team for any amount. He got it put in perspective that where he is isn’t where he knows he is as a player but where the league puts him.”"

McCoy’s ability to protect the rim and score in the post have been proven from his days in college, but if he could show any further evidence of defensive mobility or shooting ability away from the basket, that would likely be enough to put the Bucks and other teams around the league on high alert.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Meeting the 2018 NBA Summer League roster

On a roster packed with young talent, McCoy stands out as a player with obvious potential to develop meaningfully in the coming years. While the focus of many will be on the more familiar names on Milwaukee’s Summer League roster, McCoy is certainly worth keeping an eye on too.

Home/Bucks News