Three Nevada stars in NBA Summer League

NBA Summer League represented by three Nevada players

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Staff Writer

The University of Nevada will be well represented at this year's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which kicks off this weekend.

As expected, Nick Fazekas (No. 34) and Ramon Sessions (No. 56), both of whom were drafted in the second round of last week's annual NBA Draft, will be in action with their new teams.

Not since 1979 when Edgar Jones and Johnny High were drafted, had two Nevada players been selected in the same draft.

Fazekas, the Mavericks' top draft choice, is expected to back up superstar Dirk Nowitzki at power forward this year. The Mavericks even tried to move up in the first round to get Fazekas and they love his offensive game.

Sessions may have landed in a great situation in Milwaukee. Earl Boykins is exploring free agency, while Mo Williams, who just finished his third season, could opt out of his contract. The Bucks apparently want Williams more than the 5-foot-5 Boykins.

Kevinn Pinkney, another former Wolf Pack star, is also reportedly slated to play in Las Vegas again this summer, with the Washington Wizards. Pinkney was cut by the Wizards in training camp this past summer.

NMSU HIRES MENZIES

New Mexico State has once again hired a Louisville assistant coach to lead its men's basketball program.

Marvin Menzies, an assistant to Rick Pittino, was hired on June 29 to replace Reggie Theus, who left to become head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Menzies has 14 years of experience at the college level.

"Every coach dreams of being a head coach, but when the dream becomes a reality and it's a perfect fit as well, based on a whole host of issues, it really makes it special, " Menzies said in a press release posted on the Western Athletic Conference Web site. "To come into a situation where the foundation is laid and solid like the one at New Mexico State University just makes this exciting."

Menzies is the 24th head coach in NMSU history.

BRONCOS GET NOMINATED

The Boise State University football program were nominated last week for two ESPY Awards.

The annual awards show, which is being co-hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and LeBron James, is July 11 and will be shown on July 15 on ESPN starting at 4 p.m.

In the category of best game, the team was nominated for its 43-42 overtime upset of Oklahoma in last season's Fiesta Bowl.

The Broncos were one of five nominations for the Best Play Award. The Broncos ran a Statue of Liberty play, and Ian Johnson ran untouched into the end zone, and then promptly proposed to his cheerleader/girlfriend. Johnson is expected to get married sometime in July.

Fans can vote in all contested categories until July 7 by going to www.espys.tv.

And, while we're on the subject of Boise State football, work has started on the expansion of Bronco Stadium, including the four-story press box and sky suites.

All the work is expected to be completed by the start of the 2008 season.

HAWAI'I, FSU STARS REPRESENT COUNTRY

University of Hawai'i basketball player Tanya Smith and Fresno State star Chantella Perera will represent their native Australia at the upcoming University Games, Aug. 8-18 in Thailand.

Smith averaged 14.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in conference games. Smith helped the Rainbow Wahine to a 15-14 record.

Perera was a consistent double-figure scorer for the Bulldogs and arguably the best guard in the conference.

Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281.