Quincy Olivari on whether he will play in summer league

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4 hours ago

In just a couple of weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers will begin their summer league schedule. It is expected that Bronny James will take part in summer league play, and many people will undoubtedly attend games and tune in on television to watch him start his second year of pro basketball.
Another incoming second-year Lakers player who will appear in summer league play this year is Quincy Olivari. After going undrafted last year, he looked promising in summer league and preseason play, which earned him a two-way contract just after the end of the exhibition season.
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He had a number of strong games in the G League, and he confirmed during an exclusive interview with Lakers Nation that he will take part in summer league play this year.
'I will definitely be in Summer League,' Olivari said. 'Talking with my agent, still kind of working through our options, analyzing different situations. Obviously I love the Lakers franchise but I gotta figure out what's best for me. I've done a couple free agent minicamps and I've gone to some teams and got some great feedback, which is also giving me a lot of confidence about what I've been doing this summer has been working. But I will definitely be in Summer League, for sure.'
He also talked about how he's been putting in work and his mindset as far as improving.
'My college coach is now the head coach at Texas, Coach Miller, and so I brought my strength coach from Atlanta and I've been working with Zach Urbanus, who's out here in Austin and we've been at it every day except Sunday. Monday morning, 7:30 I lift and then I come back home and eat, and I go shoot again and then I go do some conditioning. It's almost like a 12-hour day every day. My mantra for next year is to be undeniable.
'It's no question that this kid belongs, that this kid can play. He's gonna make mistakes, but he's got it and we're willing to work with him so once he gets it, we'll see it. I've been kind of like talking to Kurt Rambis on and off throughout this summer and kind of like checking in on him, he's been asking me what I've been working on, like my reads off the ball screen and being able to drive left comfortably and finish around the basket, other ways to kind of find my shot after a pick-and-roll or just like working on catch-and-shoot 3s in the corner.
'Just simple things that will help my game and it will really help. I'm just excited. Next season I want to be undeniable, that's the biggest thing I'm taking into it. I know I'm gonna make mistakes, I know at times I'm gonna make the wrong decision on the court, I'm not gonna play a whole Summer League season or a whole NBA season with zero turnovers, but just making those reads and being more effective around the basket and just continuing to have fun and spread positive light. This game is beautiful when it's played the right way and I'm just so locked in on being undeniable. There's days I don't want to work out, days I don't want to do extra reps and I just close my eyes and I'm like 'This is going to be worth it.' You gotta be undeniable if you want to be one of the best.'
Olivari may or may not end up becoming a full-time rotation player in the NBA. But he did endear himself to Lakers fans with his infectious and positive attitude.
The team does need more serviceable guard depth, and therefore, keeping him around and developing him would be a prudent decision.
The Lakers will start summer league play on Saturday, July 5, against the Golden State Warriors.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Quincy Olivari on whether he will play in summer league