5 Players Who Earned Roster Spots During Summer League

Mar 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan McRae (52) reaches for the ball against Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) in the second half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 Summer League will always be known as the first time that Philly fans got a glimpse at Nerlens Noel’s lanky arms in a 76ers jersey.

Fed up with the insufferable dross that is now baseball in Philadelphia and still months away from meaningful football, the casual Philly sports fans joined the basketball junkies in watching every Noel performance. He became must-see TV for a city that was starving for something positive from their sports teams.

Noel stole the show in Orlando, the first leg of the Summer League tour, right out of the gate when he dunked his first possession and swatted everything in his path. Still raw and with plenty of work ahead of him, he at least gave the Philly hopeful something. That something was enough for the patient 76ers fan.

Then other guys started to step up and contribute. Whether it was a Ronald Roberts dunk or a Jordan McRae offensive explosion, players who were afterthoughts became serious contenders for contracts. That’s the beauty of Summer League — guys have a chance to compete and prove they can play amongst the heralded draft picks even if they’re an undrafted free agent. It’s a meritocracy: if you do well in Summer League, you can find your way on to a NBA roster.

Here are five guys who should be on the 76ers roster when the season starts.