By P.J. Wright, news staff
A pair of former Northeastern University Huskies have signed summer deals in the NBA and earned spots on Summer League rosters. After going undrafted in April, David Walker and Quincy Ford will have the opportunity to prove to coaches and scouts that they’re worth regular season roster spots.
After receiving an invitation from the Miami Heat, Walker took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League from July 2-8 and is participating in the Las Vegas Summer League until July 18.
Following June’s NBA Draft, Ford accepted a three-year partially guaranteed contract with the Utah Jazz as an undrafted free agent. He played in the Utah Summer League from July 4-7 and is currently playing summer ball in Sin City.
Walker and Ford became the first Northeastern teammates to play for NBA teams since Reggie Lewis, Andre LaFleur and Gerry Corcoran did in 1987.
The duo also received All-CAA recognition – Walker was named First Team and Ford earned Second Team honors.
Both Walker and Ford finished their Northeastern careers in the top 10 in scoring at eighth and ninth respectively in school history. Walker’s 17.9 points per game this season was good for first in the CAA.
Walker averaged 38.3 minutes per game with the Huskies in his senior season, the highest in the nation among Division 1 basketball players. He played 1,263 total minutes for Northeastern – the all-time school record.
Ford’s 36 points in a triple overtime game against James Madison in Matthews Arena on Feb. 18 marked the highest single-game scoring total for the Huskies since J.J. Barea put up 41 points against Stony Brook on March 5, 2005.
Although the Huskies failed to make it back to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, Walker and Ford played integral roles on the 2015 Northeastern team that went 23-12 and won the CAA before falling just short to the No. 3 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish 69-65.
Thus far, Walker has averaged 8.5 points per game for Miami, and Ford has averaged 5.5 points while pulling down 7.5 boards per contest.
Walker has started all four games for his squad, while Ford has started three of five, and is averaging just over 20 minutes per game.
Walker and Ford were unavailable for comment due to their Summer League schedules. More coverage will follow after the conclusion of exhibition play July 18.
Photo courtesy GoNU.com.
