Marqus Blakely, Los Angeles Clippers Agree To Two-Year, Partially-Guaranteed Contract

Marqus Blakely, a rookie forward out of Vermont, has signed a partially-guaranteed two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers according to Draft Express.

Blakely played with the Clippers' Summer League team, averaging 7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting an uber-efficient 65% from the field over four games in Vegas.

The 6-foot-5 do-it-all (formerly power/kind-of-combo, but will almost assuredly have to play exclusively at the three) forward averaged 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.9 blocks as a senior for the Catamounts, but probably didn't end up on too many NBA radars until his successful performance at the Portsmouth Invitational following leading Vermont to the NCAA Tournament and winning the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest.

Blakely's best Summer League performance came against the Portland Trail Blazers when he scored 14 points, grabbed six boards - four of which were on the offensive end - and contributed two steals and a block for good measure all while shooting 6-of-9 from the field.

After watching, and then tonight rewatching, Blakely's performance in Summer League, I can tell you what you already know about him (if you know anything about him, I guess): He's aggressive, active on defense, raw on offense and will hustle his ass off.

With the Clippers' Summer League entry, Blakely was at his best when cutting to the basket and finishing the easy bucket in transition.  His offensive rebounding was very good, but he was often unable to get the putback to go in because he had trouble getting the ball over the taller defender - even if that defender was Trent Plaisted.

I have to assume his "partially guaranteed" contract is not much more than a training camp invite with a bit of additional cash added, but if Blakely's able to develop - put the ball on the floor and become more comfortable on the arc - this will be a medium-reward, low-risk signing for the Clippers.