As younger players, Josh Scott, Josh Adams and Antwan Scott all suited up in their respective high school uniforms at the Pepsi Center and faced one another in a basketball showcase. Four years later, they were back in the gym for a Monday morning workout, only this time they were all wearing the same, baby-blue practice jersey.
“Itap kind of ironic that we’re back here four years later,” said Josh Scott, who starred for the University of Colorado. “Itap been fun. All of us Colorado guys are relishing in this opportunity. Itap fun to play in your home state.”
The two Scotts and Adams were named to the Nuggets’ Las Vegas Summer League roster last week along with draft picks Jamal Murray, Petr Cornelie, Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez. Former Brigham Young standout shooter Jimmer Fredette is also on the team, along with current Nuggets guards Gary Harris and Emmanuel Mudiay. Antwan Scott, who faced both Josh Scott and Wyoming’s Adams for Colorado State last season, said that itap great to have local guys who have the same end goal.
“We are all after one dream. We are all competitive. And they beat me twice this year,” Antwan Scott joked. “So, if I can’t beat ‘em, I team up with them.”
All three players worked out for the Nuggets before the draft, and all three went undrafted June 23. Adams, while disappointed, said that he received a call about joining Denver’s Summer League team almost immediately after the draft.
“I was pretty excited, and I was thinking I had a good chance (to get drafted),” Adams said. “And when that didn’t happen it was definitely crushing because you see everything you worked so hard for — your dream — is just not happening. But you have to get over it and keep moving, and I’m excited the Nuggets are giving me another chance.”
The Nuggets have selected a guard-heavy roster for Vegas. With 10 of the 16 players listed as a guard, Adams said that there is pressure to prove himself and set his talents apart, and Antwan Scott said having so many guards has been a valuable learning experience. He feels that Mudiay especially has pushed him to be better.
Even as a center, the guard talent caught Josh Scottap attention as well — especially the Nuggets’ first draft pick, from Kentucky.
“I mean, Jamal (Murray) can play,” Scott said. “Everybody can play, but he’s impressive to me.”
All three players described being able to play for their local team as “a blessing.” The team has three more practices scheduled in the Pepsi Center before they play their first game Friday in Las Vegas.
