The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KAI Jones had an immediate impact on the Charlotte Hornets organisation and made the league take notice with a sensational NBA Summer League debut.

Jones finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot and one highlight reel worthy slam dunk that made the crowd erupt last night in his team’s 93-86 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Hornets will follow with games against the Sacramento Kings on August 9 and the San Antonio Spurs on August 12.

Jones was selected No. 19 overall by the New York Knicks but his rights were traded to the Hornets for a future first round pick.

Kings guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield said he admires Jones’ aggressive style and looks forward to seeing the impact he will have in the league. “[The Bahamas] is small but we’re mighty, look at how we play with heart. Just seeing a guy like Kai Jones play with so much passion, you love that. It shows his roots and I like that about him,” Hield said. “He just has to keep on working. We all know that we’re playing to keep our jobs and it’s always another 60 coming in to try to take your spot but it’s a blessing. I’m excited for him and I’m excited for the whole Bahamas.”

Travis Munnings is set to make his debut with the Golden State Warriors at the NBA Summer League.

The Warriors open Summer League play against the Orlando Magic on Monday, August 9.

“I’m going down to Vegas to watch him too. It’s a blessing he’s been working his butt off each and every year and thank God he gets a chance and I always tell him when you go out there play your role,” Hield said.

“He does one thing, when he comes to play he brings a lot of energy, he’s willing to defend and you’ll feel his presence on the court.”

Munnings had previous affiliations with NBA franchises coming out of Louisiana-Monroe but opted to pursue opportunities in Europe instead.

Prior to the 2019 NBA Draft, he was invited to pre-draft workouts with the Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves before eventually going undrafted.

Hield sees both Jones and Munnings as building blocks for the future of the national team programme.

“Chris Demarco has done a wonderful job so far, the way he got that team together.

“Of course they want me to come play but it’s about the younger guys, giving them an opportunity to go out there and win. Give them a chance to play and see where we’re at as a country,” Hield said.

“We have a lot of work to do, hopefully we get guys like Deandre, Travis and Kai involved and we can take off from there. I’m always ready to play.”

Each of the 30 teams participate in the Las Vegas Summer League and play five games each. The two teams with the best records at the end of four games will play the Finals while the rest of the 28 teams play an extra game.

All 75 games of game action over the 10 days will air live on television on ESPN networks or NBA TV while all games will also be available to stream on the ESPN App.