Trevon Hughes did not hear his name called in Thursday’s NBA Draft. However the former Badgers point guard will get a chance to earn a spot on an NBA roster like ex-teammate Marcus Landry did last summer.
By: David Kay
Since I began covering Trevon Hughes during his freshman season at Wisconsin, I have been riddled by the thought of him having NBA potential. At times, he seemed to have all tools necessary to be in the association and even made a brief appearance in my 2010 NBA Mock Draft. But he also drove Bo Ryan bonkers on the sidelines with some of his decisions and shot choices decreasing the likelihood of him being in the league.
Now, the riddle will be answered as Hughes will participate in the Houston Rockets up-coming mini-camp with a chance to earn a spot on the team’s Summer League roster which begins play July 9th in Las Vegas. If the Rockets like what they see, they can then invite the ex-Badger to training camp in the Fall giving him a chance to make the final 15-man roster.
The Rockets already have the reigning NBA Most Improved Player, Aaron Brooks running the show, but back-up Kyle Lowry is the only other point guard on the roster and is a restricted free agent. So Houston could be looking to land another option at the point in case Lowry leaves. Hughes will be joined at the mini-camp by undrafted point guard Ishmael Smith of Wake Forest who seemingly has better NBA potential than Hughes due to his lightning quickness with the basketball.
Hughes will now hope to follow in the footsteps of ex-teammate Landry who had to go through a similar process with the Knicks last summer, even paying his own way out to New York for a try-out. Landry ended up making the team’s final roster before getting traded to the Celtics as part of the Nate Robinson deal. So while it is a long shot, Landry proved it can happen. Heck, look at what former Marquette star Wesley Matthews did this past season in Utah after being in the exact same position a year ago.
Hughes could see several of his former teammates if he plays for the Rockets in Las Vegas. Late last season, Brian Butch and Greg Steimsma signed with the Nuggets and Timberwolves respectively and both will suit up in Sin City. For the second straight summer, Joe Krabbenhoft will play for the Blazers. Krabbenhoft spent last season with Sioux Falls of the NBDL. Ex-Badger and free agent swingman Alando Tucker will suit up for the Bucks.