New Mexico center Alex Kirk to play on Cavs’ Summer League team

Alex Kirk, a 7-foot center out of New Mexico, will play for the Cavs team in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

Basketball Insider’s Alex Kennedy reported the news earlier on Friday. The junior center averaged 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for the Lobos this past season.

Kirk was ranked No. 87 in the draft class by ESPN Insider’s Chad Ford. In his scouting report, Ford mentioned how Kirk is “strong and deceptively athletic,” but had back issues in college.

Draft Express ranked him as the No. 89 prospect. They noted how his 13.6% body fat was second-worst at the draft combine, but he has a “massive” 7’3.5″ wingspan. You can view their video interview with Kirk below.

The Cavs desperately need more size and defense, so Kirk is a logical fit for a tryout. Last season, undrafted point guard Matthew Dellavedova made the team after playing in Las Vegas, so there is certainly a precedent for some of these players actually making a difference long term.

Last week, it was announced that David Blatt will indeed coach the Cavs’ team in Las Vegas. The squad, likely with Andrew Wiggins, Joe Harris, Anthony Bennett and others, is sure to be one of the most exciting in the league. They begin play on July 11 against the Milwaukee Bucks in a showdown between the top picks in the NBA Draft.

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(AP Photo/David Kohl)