Markel Brown’s Encouraging Summer Hit With Injury Setback

Markel Brown has had quite an eventful summer. After spending last season playing for Khimki of the VTB League in Russia, the former Oklahoma State guard was back in the states to take part in two of the NBA’s Summer Leagues.

“I just want to go out there and show that I’m a consistent defender on the defensive end, a consistent, lockdown 3-and-D guy,” Brown told Basketball Insiders at the Orlando Summer League. “And show my toughness, go out there and play hard – I know I’m labeled as an undersized 2, but I want to go out there and show that my athletic ability can make up for everything.”

With the Oklahoma City Thunder in Orlando, Brown impressed early with nine points, five rebounds and three steals in his first game against Detroit. He followed that up with a 20-point explosion and two steals while going 3-of-4 from deep.

According to Synergy Sports Tech, Brown was the most efficient offensive player to take part in the Orlando this summer.

Here's a final look at the most efficient offensive players at the Orlando #NBASummer League. pic.twitter.com/gDFWJzySnJ

— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) July 7, 2017

Those two games apparently drew the attention of the Portland Trail Blazers who were about to start their own Summer League slate in Las Vegas. Brown left the Thunder and was off to Vegas to try to earn a roster spot behind the likes of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Brown scored seven points in each of his two games with Portland but had to leave the game on Sunday after just seven minutes. While trying to get around a screen, Brown collided with another player and went down with a right shoulder injury.

Markel Brown out for the game with a right shoulder injury per Blazers. He was down for a couple minutes in the first half.

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) July 10, 2017

The Trail Blazers held Brown out for the rest of the game but his status moving forward is unclear. Brown did not dress for Portland’s game against San Antonio on Tuesday. No official word on if he will participate in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

In his four Summer League games, Brown has averaged 10.8 points, 3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 17.5 minutes per game. He shot 74 percent from the field and shot 6 of 9 (67 percent) from 3.

For Brown’s sake, let’s hope the Blazers are just erring on the side of caution. It would be a shame if this setback kept him from earning a roster spot for this coming season.