Experienced Magic summer league players assist draft picks Anthony Black, Jett Howard
While most of the attention for the Magic at Las Vegas summer league will be on first-round draft picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard, Orlando will have two members of last year’s team participating as well.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley will see the No. 32 pick in last year’s draft, Caleb Houstan, and two-way guard Kevon Harris at summer league again with his rookies. Play at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion runs Friday-July 17. The Magic open Saturday vs. the Detroit Pistons at 5:30.
“Kevon and Caleb have done a great job of grabbing those guys, pulling them to the side and talking to them,” Mosley said. “DJ Wilson, who’s also played in the league, understands what these guys are going to see and the way the game is played in summer league.
“It’s great for them to learn from these guys and they’re all willing teachers.”
Although the two missed each other by one year at Michigan, Howard and Houstan are familiar. Wilson is a former Wolverine, too.
“It’s going to be awesome to play with Caleb,” Howard, the son of Michigan coach Juwan Howard, said. “I was up in Ann Arbor with him so many times during his freshman year at Michigan and I’ve spent a lot of time with DJ this offseason as well.”
The 6-8 guard-forward explained the advantage it is to have Houstan, Harris and Wilson around.
“Those guys are well-rounded and good players,” Howard said. “I feel like they’re teaching us just like the coaches. When a player is telling you the same thing as a coach, it kind of resonates even more with you.”
Other Magic players, such as Jalen Suggs, are working on their own at the AdventHealth Training Center this summer.
“Jalen’s been in the gym and he’s done a great job of getting with Anthony as well as Jett,” Mosley said. “They’ve worked out a little bit together. That’s the environment these guys have created.
“They embrace each other and are willing to compete with each other. It’s a great environment for them to continue to grow and help each other get better.”
In a short time, Howard has picked up a lot from training with Suggs and his future teammates. With this being the offseason, those players can voluntarily organize workouts among themselves.
“They show up everyday,” Howard said. “The professionalism that they show and their dedication [stands out.]”
Added Black: “We’ve got a good group of people. Everybody is super cordial. Everyone is open to coming in and getting work together. It just seems like a good atmosphere.”
Upside to Banchero on Team USA
With Magic star Paolo Banchero committed to play for Team USA’s national team at the FIBA World Cup, Mosley called the move a great experience for the league’s rookie of the year.
Although USA Basketball has not made any announcements about its roster, Banchero is joining Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Cam Johnson, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the 12-man national team who have reportedly committed to the event.
“To be around that high level of players and to see where you are, to learn from some other great players throughout the league, it allows him to raise his level and his ability to lead and speak and use his voice for the leadership in our locker room,” Mosley said.
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
