Backcourt problems solved? Bulls sign Summer League standout

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Try telling Antonio Blakeney that Summer League doesn't matter. 

The guard's strong play in Las Vegas over the last week earned him a Two-Way contract with the Bulls, meaning he can play for both the G League's Windy City Bulls and in the NBA.

Blakeney, 20, has appeared in four Summer League games, averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds and just under one steal per contest. It's pretty safe to say that he's been one of the squad's few bright spots in Sin City. While fellow guard Denzel Valentine has struggled to find his shooting rhythm, connecting on under 30 percent from the field this summer, Blakeney has shot 43.8 percent. 

He didn't come out of nowhere, though. Blakeney had tons of hype out of Oak Ridge High School in Florida and was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game before taking his talents to LSU, where joining forced with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons. That experiment didn't quite work out for Blakeney, who failed to reach the NCAA Tournament in both seasons and went undrafted in 2017. 

For the Bulls, it's a chance to take a flyer on a young, athletic guard who proved he can shoot in college. 

It also gives fans more chances to catch his absolutely nasty dunks, whether it's in Hoffman Estates or at the United Center. 

That's just ridiculous. 

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