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For many college players, last Thursday night was the culmination of 18-22 years of hard work and perseverance when their names were called by the NBA Commissioner (or Deputy Commissioner in the second round). However, this draft was so deep that there were some quality players that went undrafted. Here's a look at five players who could make an impact for your favorite NBA, or D-League, team next season.
Patric Young (University of Florida - Senior)
Young played four seasons under Billy Donovan down in Gainesville, FL and during his senior year he averaged 11.0 points and 6.2 rebounds for a team that went 36-3. Not eye-popping numbers by any means, however, Young was the heart and soul of this team over the last two seasons and proved his worth with unending heart and hustle. Young left the SEC as their all-time leader in offensive rebounds with 345, so there's no doubt that even at a "small" 6'9, he will find a niche as a defensive stalwart and rebounder.
Young is playing for the New Orleans Pelicans' NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.
DeAndre Kane (Iowa State University - Senior)
Kane is another four-year starter from the NCAA ranks. He played his first three seasons with Marshall University before transferring to Iowa State University and really blossoming under coach Fred Hoiberg. Kane averaged 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the upstart Cyclones, who finished 28-8 and won two games in the NCAA tournament before losing to the eventual Champion Connecticut Huskies. Kane is older than most seniors as he's already 25 years old, but as a 6'4 point guard he provides a lot of versatility and decent shooting. His shooting splits last season were .483/.398/.635.
Kane will be playing with the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team in Las Vegas.
Melvin Ejim (Iowa State University - Senior)
Ejim was the aforementioned Kane's college teammate last season, however Ejim played all four seasons with Iowa State University. In his senior year (like Kane), the young gun really took off and hit the spotlight as the prospect of playing in the NBA became a real thing. Ejim is 6'6 and played small forward for the Cyclones. He averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting efficiently at .505/.346/.761.
Melvin is reportedly playing for two teams this summer -- Philadelphia 76ers in Orlando and the San Antonio Spurs -- in Las Vegas.
Sean Kilpatrick (University of Cincinnati - Senior)
Kilpatrick is an explosive scorer who earned Consensus Second Team All-American after his senior year for the Bearcats. Sean finished with averages of 20.6 points and 4.3 rebounds his senior year but at only 6'4 might have to make the transition to point guard in the NBA ranks. He wasn't asked to distribute in college, so his 2.5 assists aren't exactly a damning statistic, but he hasn't yet proven he can play the lead guard position either.
Kilpatrick is also playing with the Philadelphia 76ers and is reportedly playing for them in Orlando and Las Vegas.
C.J. Fair (Syracuse University - Senior)
Fair might be the most versatile of these five players. At 6'8", he can post-up, drive to the basket and can also hit the outside jumper as well. Teams should jump at the chance for his services once he proves his worth in Summer League. Fair finished his senior year averaging 16.5 points and 6.4 rebounds while leading the Cuse to a 28-6 record. He was also a Consensus Second Team All-American and finished 116-27 over his four year career.
C.J. is playing with the Dallas Mavericks' Summer League team in Las Vegas.
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