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UNC Basketball: Ghost from Tar Heels past joins NBA Summer League

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 27: (L-R) Desmond Hubert #14, J.P. Tokoto #13, Marcus Paige #5, Justin Jackson #44, Nate Britt #0 and Kennedy Meeks #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels cheer on the reserves during the final minute of a win over the UAB Blazers during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 27, 2014 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 89-58. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 27: (L-R) Desmond Hubert #14, J.P. Tokoto #13, Marcus Paige #5, Justin Jackson #44, Nate Britt #0 and Kennedy Meeks #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels cheer on the reserves during the final minute of a win over the UAB Blazers during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 27, 2014 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 89-58. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Former Tar Heel will play with Warriors in NBA Summer League

The 2018 NBA Summer League begins in less than a week, and among this year’s participants is a former North Carolina standout that’s hoping to make an NBA roster and see playing time for the first time in his career.

J.P. Tokoto, a member of the Tar Heels from 2012 to 2015, has accepted an invitation to play with the Golden State Warriors during summer league play, as reported by Mark Medina of The San Jose Mercury News.

Tokoto left the University of North Carolina in 2015 upon completion of his junior year, and announced his eligibility for the NBA Draft. He was selected 58th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, and signed a one-year non-guaranteed contract with the team. After appearing in just five preseason games, Tokoto was waived by the 76ers and played the remainder of his rookie season in the NBA D-League.

Tokoto began the 2016 season as a member of the New York Knicks, but was waived after just three preseason appearances. He spent the rest of the 2016-17 season playing in the D-League for the Oklahoma City Blue and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Last year, Tokoto played for the Utah Jazz during summer league play, but that’s where the dream ended on that occasion. He signed with the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League on September 2nd and played in all 30 games. He performed admirably for the Wildcats, averaging 15.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and was subsequently named All-NBL second team.

Now Tokoto will get another shot at making an NBA roster when he suits up with the Warriors’ summer league squad that will begin play on July 2nd against the Miami Heat. He’ll likely play opposite a number of other former Tar Heels this summer including Joel Berry II, Theo Pinson, Kennedy Meeks, Brice Johnson, Marcus Paige and Isaiah Hicks.

Next: Sports Illustrated high on UNC freshman Nassir Little

Stick with Keeping It Heel for complete coverage of UNC alumni in the 2018 NBA Summer League.

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