The Sixer Sense
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Sixers’ Summer League littered with former NCAA tournament stars

By Peter Manfre

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: on July 14, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: on July 14, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers‘ Summer League team had a roster loaded with NCAA Tournament big shots.

Sure, Markelle Fultz is stealing the show this summer, but the Philadelphia 76ers’ Summer League team is loaded with familiar faces. Faces that have defined the month of March over the last three years.

Names such as Aaron Harrison, Alex Poythress, and Melo Trimble have shown up in key games in March that have led them here. Surprisingly, all three have gone undrafted.

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While making an NBA roster is a long shot for these three, their experience as NCAA Tournament stars should aid them. Not in the sense of living in the past, but as taking that experience and putting it to play.

They understand the importance of a big game. They have elevated their games in the month of March before, and they have what it takes to impact a game. Perhaps the Sixers’ D-League squad can now learn from those three and feed off of their winning experience.

Now, let’s look at these three March stars.

Aaron Harrison: the shooter

The former Kentucky Wildcat hit some of the biggest shots in the school’s history in March, 2014. You know the shots I am talking about. These shots:

The twin of Andrew Harrison, Aaron has had a hard time sticking to an NBA roster. After a short stint with the Charlotte Hornets where he played a whopping 91 minutes his rookie season.

Last season he played seventeen minutes before moving to the Hornets minor league affiliate– the Greensboro Swarm. Shortly after he was traded to the Delaware 87ers, the Sixers minor league affiliate.

The problem with Harrison is he is just a three-point specialist. Despite the NBA moving to a three-point heavy league, teams are still looking for players who do more. With the lack of depth available on the Sixers roster, Harrison will have a tough time cracking the NBA team.

With that being said, the Sixers still lack three-point shooters. They added J.J. Reddick through free agency but that is only a one year deal. If Harrison can improve his all around game, he could see himself getting a shot with the NBA team too.

Related Story: 5 Summer Leaguers who could make the Sixers' roster

If he gets a shot, bet on him making it– as he often does when time is winding down.

Alex Poythress: the energetic role player

Another member of that loaded Kentucky Wildcat’s team, Poythress spent four season with coach Calipari’s squad. He did so mainly as a role player, a role he excelled in.

After becoming a D-League All Star for the Indiana Pacers affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants, he was given a 10-day contract by the Sixers on Apr. 1, 2017. In his lone NBA start, he scored 18 points with six rebounds in 24 minutes.

He left Brett Brown impressed:

"“I loved him. He had a bounce, he had a toughness — when you talk about those three cornerstones of the program: can you run, can you shoot threes, can you guard? I think he checks boxes.”"

Poythress is an undersized power forward but can use his energy and toughness as a poor-man’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, another former Wildcat.

Related Story: Alex Poythress and his role with the Philadelphia 76ers

Since trading Nerlens Noel (last former Kentucky player I reference, I swear), the Sixers have been looking for someone who fills his energetic defensive play on both sides of the ball. Poythress gives them that.

If he continues to show those strengths he will have a real chance of making the team’s NBA roster as the 15th man come October.

Melo Trimble: the one who should have left early

Trimble, the former Maryland standout who as a freshman was in the top ten of various categories in the Big Ten. Such as free throws made, 207, and free throw percentage at 86.3 percent. He finished inside the fifth in total points at 568.

Those stats culminated to Maryland making the tournament for the first time in five years. Trimble was a big deal, and seen by many as a lottery selection.

Then he went back to school.

Related Story: Breaking down Sixers signee Melo Trimble

Going back to Maryland dropped his draft stock mainly due to his decrease in scoring in efficiency. Which wa highlighted by his lack of free throw attempts and a decrease in free throw percentage that fell from 86.3 to roughly 79 percent.

Now to summer league.

Trimble has struggled to find playing times in the Sixers summer league but recently had a breakout game. In thirteen minutes on Jul. 11 against the Boston Celtics. He recorded thirteen points on five of eight shooting highlighted by three for five behind the arc.

The Sixers summer league assistant coach Lloyd Pierce referenced Trimble as “our best player tonight” in an interview after the game.

Hopefully, Trimble can earn more playing time and in turn, force his way onto the roster.

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Between the three former March Madness stars, there is really only one NBA roster spot possibly available. They will have to ball out to earn a spot in Philadelphia, but their experience against premier college talent and in big moments may aid to them accomplishing that goal.