After a somewhat disappointing first day of the NBA 2K24 Summer League that saw just two of five potential former Illini touch the floor, there will hopefully feature a much higher hit rate for day two.
Malcolm Hill and Alan Griffin are the lone former Illini on the schedule, and there is a solid chance their respective teams will have no choice but to let them on the floor. Hill, being an NBA-familiar guard, would offer important relief when 2023 first-round pick Anthony Black requires rest, while Griffin’s squad could use his fresh legs for the second part of a back-to-back.
The longest-tenured former Illini at Summer League, Hill spent four seasons with the Illini from 2013-2017 before bouncing around international leagues for a couple years. For stretches of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 NBA seasons, Hill hopped around the NBA system and spent time with the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Windy City Bulls (G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls). As of now, Hill is on the Birmingham Squadron’s roster (G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans) and has yet another chance to showcase his abilities at the NBA level in the Summer League.
Griffin, tied for the second-longest active Illini at Summer League, was mysteriously benched for the entirety of the Milwaukee Bucks’ game one victory over the Denver Nuggets. Although head coach Adrian Griffin’s stance against nepotism is commendable, his son’s absence may change in game two as many of the Bucks’ top players expended heavy minutes 24 hours prior.
Illinois fans can tune into Hill and the Orlando Magic take on the Detroit Pistons at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN before Griffin and the Milwaukee Bucks meet the Phoenix Suns at 8 p.m. CT on NBA TV.
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