Former Texas Southern men’s basketball star Joirdon Karl Nicholas was recently named a member of the NBA summer basketball team for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6’9″ power forward just finished his first year in the G League for the South Bay Lakers. The former All-SWAC performer started 14 of 26 games for SBL, averaging 7.9 points and 6 rebounds per game.
The Houston native started his career at Stephen F. Austin before finishing a stellar college career at Texas Southern. During his senior season he averaged 10.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for a very balanced Tigers team that won the SWAC Championship. The 2023 team finished with a loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament.
His agency posted the news on social media Friday congratulating their client on his success.
“After a solid rookie season ESM power forward “Joirdon Nicholas” has agreed to his first NBA Summer League with the LA Lakers! We are extremely proud of you and continue to bring the energy,” the post read.
Teaming with Bronny
The summer league appearance will offer a huge spotlight for Joirdon Karl Nicholas to showcase his skills to the world. One of his teammates will undoubtedly be Bronny James, the son of Lebron James, and this year’s second round draft pick for the Lakers.
The NBA released the full Las Vegas Summer League schedule and as usual, they gave the Lakers some of the premiere games. The Lakers will face the Houston Rockets on Friday, July 12 with a potential matchup versus this year’s No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard.
L.A.’s second game will be on Monday, July 15 against the rival Boston Celtics. To close out the Summer League, the Lakers will take on the Atlanta Hawks and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher on Wednesday, July 17 and finally the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, July 18. The top teams after the first four games of summer league play will face off against one another for the championship while the other teams will play one more consolation game.
NBA Las Vegas Summer League Schedule
July 12: vs. Rockets, 4:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
July 15: vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. PT on NBA TV
July 17: vs. Hawks, 6:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
July 18: vs. Cavaliers, 6 p.m. PT on ESPN
July 20 or 21: TBD