Landers Nolley II returns to Cincinnati as he awaits NBA training camp with New Orleans
Two days removed from his best game in the NBA Summer League, former Cincinnati Bearcat Landers Nolley II was back in the area and, naturally, back around a basketball court.
After dropping in 22 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the arc for the New Orleans Pelicans in Las Vegas, Nolley was on hand at a Pro Camps event at Spooky Nook Champion Mill in Hamilton Tuesday. That evening he was set to scrimmage at Fifth Third Arena with members of the UC alumni Nasty 'Nati team scheduled to play in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) at Xavier's Cintas Center Friday.
He mentioned because it's at Xavier, he may play, which would pair him with some Mick Cronin-era Bearcats. Sunday, he's set to play in the Smith League at Walnut Hills among other competitive local college-level players. As a New Orleans free agent, training camp awaits him in September.
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In his one year with the Bearcats, he made a tremendous impact, leading the team in scoring at 16.8 points per game and shooting nearly 42% from the three-point line. Tuesday morning, the 23-year-old, 6-foot-7 shotmaker answered a few questions from The Enquirer nearly four months after his last game as a Bearcat. Nolley was briefly a Georgia Bulldog out of high school before de-committing and playing at Virginia Tech. From there he transferred to Memphis to play for Penny Hardaway and was the Most Outstanding Player in the 2021 NIT for the Tigers. Though he spent one year at UC, he played with charisma (his mother's name is Charisma) and calls the year with Coach Wes Miller his best experience.
Do you still have some love for Cincinnati?
"Most definitely. Playing in Cincinnati was the best year of my life on and off the court. Playing for Coach Miller in Fifth Third (Arena) for still the best fans in the nation, it's only going to get better. I feel comfortable. I love being here. That's why I'm back."
Was it difficult making the call to declare for the NBA and not return to the Bearcats?
"I feel like it was the right call. Coach Wes put me in that position with the game plan he had for me throughout the year and our whole program. The guys coming in next year are on the same program. I expect the same results we had, even better. I hope they make the (NCAA) tournament."
What's your biggest takeaway from your time at UC?
"Everything. That was the best year I had in my collegiate career. I made relationships off the court that I'll still talk to, academics, financial. That's why I'm at where I'm at from my relationships off the court. I learned just to meet as many people as you can because you never know what they can do for you in the long run, what you can do for them."
Did Coach Miller come to watch you in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas?
"He was definitely there. Him and Coach Chad (associate head coach Dollar). We actually left together basically on the same flight. They were there until Sunday. We both basically made it back at 5 a.m. I went to the gym the next day and worked out. Coach Wes is still hands-on. I'm going to have lunch with him while I'm here and talk to him about the summer league."
What kind of feedback did you get from playing with the New Orleans summer league team?
"A lot of people realize I'm a hooper. I just hoop. I love playing basketball; I play the right way. I just enjoy the game. I put a lot into the game so I feel I get a lot back. I've just got a great opportunity and that's why I am where I am."
Any idea what the Pelicans may do with you?
"I'm going to stay. I'm going to training camp for sure. I got invited to training camp. Hopefully, a two-way (contract for G-League and NBA) for sure."
How is it being around the New Orleans roster?
"Good company. You know you're going to get better walking in. When you leave, you're going to feel like you got better."
What about the temptation of good food in New Orleans?
"That's the one thing I've got to stay away from. I've got to stay away from the tables for sure. I can't get out of shape!"
Might you play in the upcoming TBT games for UC's alumni team?
"I can play! I might. I might play Friday. They play Friday so I might play Friday. It's at Xavier, so you know how I feel about that (laughing). I might play with my guys for sure."
Who should UC fans look for among next year's Bearcats?
"I say look at the team. They're going to have one of the biggest backcourts in the country. I say this might be one of the best teams UC's had in a long time, honestly."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Landers Nolley II awaits New Orleans Pelicans training camp
