Although Stony Brook’s all-time leading scorer’s name wasn’t called, Jameel Warney was still rewarded. He signed with Dallas Mavericks and will play with them in the Pro Summer League in Orlando.
The Mavericks were one of the several teams Warney worked out with before the draft. He also worked out with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
“They talked to my agent throughout the draft,” Warney said. “We thought it was the best. Ideal situation is ‘you go to the Mavericks.’It was unbelievable.”
The Orlando Pro Summer League is held from July 2-8. There will be 25 games played in the seven-day span featuring nine teams. The other teams that are participating are the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have their first game next Saturday against the Thunder. All games will be played the Amway Center, Orlando Magic’s practice facility.
In his senior season leading the Stony Brook Seawolves to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, the 6-8 260 pound forward out of Plainfield, N.J. broke several school records. He became Stony Brook’s all-time in points (2,132), rebounds (1,275), blocks (276) and games played (135). He was a three-time America East player of the Year. His senior season was dominant averaging 19.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 33 games. He recorded a school-record 655 points to conclude the remarkable run to his Stony Brook career.
“[Stony Brook] already got one football player, a lot of baseball guys , they’re missing basketball,” he said. “I feel like I want to be the first one to do that.”
The Mavericks had the 46th pick in the draft and they went with 7-foot 250-pound center A.J. Hammond out of Purdue. He averaged 15 points and 8.2 rebounds in his final season as a Boilermaker. He brings tremendous upside to an aging Dallas frontcourt in Dirk Nowitzki, Zaza Pachulia, Charlie Villanueva, David Lee and Javale McGee. Hammond and Warney could bring some athleticism and youth to the Mavericks Summer League roster and possibly land a spot on the NBA roster.
Nowitzki,38, is the star of the Mavericks and rumors say he’s testing the free agency waters and intends on signing with the Golden State Warriors. He was 18 seasons under his belt, all of them with the Mavericks. If Nowitzki leaves Dallas, it gives Hammond and Warney a huge opportunity to fill in his role.
