No local players were selected in this year’s edition of the NBA Draft, but Thursday night still brought good news to a fortunate few with area ties.
Portsmouth native Cole Swider agreed to a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and Providence College wing Justin Minaya accepted a Summer League invitation from the Charlotte Hornets. The Athletic and the New York Daily News, respectively, were first to report those two developments.
Laying the groundwork: Will Portsmouth's Cole Swider land in the NBA? Recent workouts suggest there's a chance.
Swider worked out with more than 10 NBA franchises leading into the draft, and the Lakers were one of three who called him back for a second session.