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UCLA Basketball in the NBA: Thomas Welsh to play in the Summer League

By Mike Regalado

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Thomas Welsh #40 of the UCLA Bruins dunks in the first ahlf against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Thomas Welsh #40 of the UCLA Bruins dunks in the first ahlf against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Former UCLA basketball player Thomas Welsh will begin his professional career playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Summer League.

It was just over a week ago that former UCLA basketball player Thomas Welsh was unexpectedly selected 57th overall in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. Now he is getting ready to represent his new team and prepare for the rigors of pro career.

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Denver has recently released their 16-man 2018 Summer League roster, which includes the 7’0, 255 lbs. former center from UCLA. Welsh will also be wearing the #45. At UCLA he wore #40.

https://twitter.com/UCLAMBB/status/1012834006335778816

Welsh is also one of the biggest players on the team, though he could get bigger. One thing that would benefit him is tacking on some mass, if only to survive in the trenches. With his size and length, added weight could help him survive down low and stay consistent with rebounding.

But that is something he needs to develop. What he already possesses is a consistent outside shot. Since his sophomore year at UCLA, Welsh has developed his shooting form which began with baseline jumpers and moved as far back as the 3-point line last season.

As a senior, Welsh shot .485 from the field and .402 (45/112) from downtown. You can’t average a double-double for the season (12.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg) by missing a ton of shots and Welsh has proven that he can shoot. He has a nice stroke and is very confident in his shooting and that makes him dangerous for a 7-footer.

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The Denver Nuggets will begin their mini-camp on Sunday, July 1 and go through Thursday, July 5. The Summer League begins the following day on Friday, July 6 against Minnesota. All games will take place at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.