ProToppers: Former Toppers appear on ESPN’s NBA Rank

It’s October, and if you’re a sports fan you know that means that basketball season is right around the corner. With the NBA preseason getting underway, ESPN is ranking the Association’s top 500 players in its annual NBA Rank, and two of our ProToppers made the cut.

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Courtney Lee

was ranked 183rd in the countdown. The Grizzlies’ starting shooting guard enters his sixth season in the league, and after being traded from team to team early in his career, hopes to have found a long-term home in Memphis. Lee averaged 9.6 points per game last season, but saw a spike in production and usage after the Celtics traded him midseason to the Grizzlies. After not starting once for Boston through 30 games, Lee went on to start 47 out of 49 games in Memphis, where he averaged 11.0 points per game and saw his minutes almost double. He’ll intend to build on that success this season, as the Grizzles look to compete in a loaded Western Conference.

Jeremy Evans was ranked 328th in the countdown. The 2012 slam dunk champion has been used sparingly at times by the Jazz, but saw a career-high in minutes per game (18.3) and games played (66) last season. The forward averaged 6.1 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game for Utah last season, and was a crowd favorite with his highlight-reel dunks. Evans is part of a crowded Jazz front court entering this upcoming season, so it will be interesting to see how the team utilizes his athleticism moving forward.

What do you think about where the former Hilltoppers were ranked? Do you think they were too high or too low? Join in on the conversation by leaving your comments below, or by using the hashtag #NBArank on Twitter and tweeting us at @WaveTheRedTowel.