Everyone knew it would happen at some point, but it just so happened to be during their first game of the NBA Summer League – Vol on Vol crime between former freshmen phenoms Kennedy Chandler and Jaden Springer. While the two never crossed paths on the court in Knoxville despite playing in back-to-back years, the two certainly met on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.
Advantage… Chandler. For the moment.
During the Memphis Grizzlies vs Philadelphia 76ers summer league game on Tuesday, Springer was on the offensive end of the court with Chandler guarding him at the top of the key. Springer drove to the right side of the court, but before even reaching the paint, Chandler’s quick feet and even quicker hands were able to get in the way. Chandler knocked the ball away from Springer for a crisp steal on his own almost-former teammate.
Kennedy Chandler LOCKS UP to seal the game and Ja is hype 🔥 @KChandler_1 @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/LhMCAq30D3
— Overtime (@overtime) July 6, 2022
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With as many Tennessee players that are in the league, there’s going to be more and more “Vol on Vol crime” on the court moving forward. Especially considering that Tennessee doesn’t just have players in the league now, but has soon-to-be playmakers in the league as well. In fact, excluding the matchup between Springer and Chandler last night, there will still be three more games featuring opposing former Tennessee players in July alone during the summer league.
Chandler ended his debut NBA Summer League game with eight points in 23 minutes and 13 seconds of action on the court. The recent Vol also added in four rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks to make for an all-around impressive game. Scouts routinely pointed to Chandler’s height as a disadvantage in the NBA, but the rookie looked to use his size to his advantage on the court Tuesday.
oh okay @KChandler_1 👀 pic.twitter.com/HWqsT5q8E1
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 6, 2022
While Chandler got the best of him during the play mentioned previously, former Vol guard Jaden Springer gets the advantage as far as the higher scorer among the two in the game. NBA sophomore Jaden Springer ended the game with 15 points in 28 minutes and eight seconds of play. Springer also added in three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one highlight block to his efforts.
All in all, two productive games from a couple of young NBA hopefuls.
🐰🐰🐰 https://t.co/ctsCMV16TQ pic.twitter.com/DQhyVfQn3s
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 6, 2022
Jaden 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/PjbVn4fDmY
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 6, 2022
The Grizzlies ended up winning the game by a score of 103-99.
Wednesday night will feature both Chandler and Springer back on the court. Kennedy Chandler’s Grizzlies will take on Oklahoma City at 7:00 p.m. ET before Springer’s 76ers take on the Utah Jazz following the first contest. Starting on Wednesday, former Tennessee players will be playing in the summer league for the next 10 straight days.
The seven former Tennessee players that will be competing in the NBA Summer League this July are as follows:
- Kennedy Chandler – Memphis Grizzlies
- Keon Johnson – Portland Trail Blazers
- Jaden Springer – Philadelphia 76ers
- Admiral Schofield – Orlando Magic
- Yves Pons – Brooklyn Nets
- Jordan Bone – Boston Celtics
- Kyle Alexander – Portland Trail Blazers
