Former Virginia player Sylven Landesberg continues to fight his way into the NBA. Last week, he practiced with the Sacramento Kings (the same Kings who had previously drafted former Wahoo Sean Singletary) during their summer mini camp. Landesberg is one of only three undrafted rookies invited to play with the Kings in the NBA summer league.
Landesberg, who was heavily criticized when he left Virginia to pursue his professional career (this coming shortly after he was suspended for the remainder of the season on account of his failure to attend art class), and who was heavily criticized again when Virginia fans saw him go undrafted, made his professional debut last night (coincidentally, the same way Sean Singletary did -- Kings' summer team).
"I would say my playmaking ability," Landesberg responded when asked during mini-camp how he could help the Kings out the most. "I think my offense is definitely my strong suit. Being able to create for myselffor my teammates. I'm a big guard, too, so I'm able to crash the glass and push the ball in transition. So things like that, I think I can help out."
He sat on the bench throughout most of the game, but was put in in the final few minutes. Over 4:15 minutes, Landesberg put up 6 points, going 3-for-4 from the field. The Kings summer team crushed the Pistons, 98-67.
As far as invites to fall training camp, Landesberg is not restricted just to the Kings. He is one of eight players competing for an invite from any team this fall.
The Kings will play the Lakers in the summer league tonight. Here is a video of Landesberg following Day 2 of mini camp last week.