{{short description|Professional basketball developmental league}} {{Infobox sports league | title = Reebok Pro Summer League | logo = Reebok prosummer logo.png | logo_size = 250 | caption = | formerly = Shaw's Pro Summer League | sport = basketball | founded = 1999 | folded = {{end date and age|2004}} | replaced = [[NBA Summer League|Las Vegas Summer League]] | owner = [[Boston Celtics]] | teams = | singles = | country = [[United States]] | venue = Clark Athletic Center ([[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]) | champion = | champ_season = | most_champs = | tv = [[ESPN 2]] (2000)<br />[[NBA TV]] (2003) | sponsor = [[Shaw's]] (1999–2002)<br />[[Reebok]] (2003–04) }} The '''[[Reebok]] Pro Summer League''', known originally as the '''[[Shaw's]] Pro Summer League''', was a [[professional basketball]] [[minor league|developmental league]] hosted by the [[Boston Celtics]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) during the league's off-season at Clark Athletic Center on the campus of the [[University of Massachusetts Boston]]. Founded in 1999, the league planned a 2004 season, but was forced to fold due to the [[2004 Democratic National Convention]], which was being held in [[Boston]]. From 1999 to 2002, the league was sponsored by [[grocery store]] chain Shaw's. In 2003, [[footwear]] and [[apparel]] company Reebok became the title sponsor of the league.
==History== The [[Shaw's]] Pro Summer League was announced in 1999 as an off-season development league hosted by the [[Boston Celtics]] at Clark Athletic Center on the campus of the [[University of Massachusetts Boston]]. Along with the Celtics, the league featured the [[Indiana Pacers]], [[New Jersey Nets]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Philadelphia 76ers]], [[Washington Wizards]] and [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. There was also a select team of members of the 1999 [[Germany national basketball team|German men's national basketball team]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Michael |title=NBA FINALS; NBA squads to hit Hub |work=The Boston Herald |date=June 22, 1999 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=76}}</ref> Tickets for the league were $8, which was good for two games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cofman |first1=Mark |title=Pervis on tap for C's |work=The Boston Herald |date=July 25, 1999 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=B08}}</ref> Shaw's, a [[grocery store]] chain, gave away 11,000 tickets in conjunction with the [[United Way]] of Massachusetts Bay.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gatlin |first1=Greg |title=Celtics team up with Shaw's |work=The Boston Herald |date=July 26, 1999 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=26}}</ref>
[[File:UMass Boston campus.jpg|thumb|left|The Reebok Pro Summer League, formerly the Shaw's Pro Summer League, was held on the campus of the [[University of Massachusetts Boston]] ''(pictured)'' from 1999 to 2003.]] In March 2000, the Boston Celtics announced the Shaw's Pro Summer League would return to the University of Massachusetts Boston campus from July 17 to July 24.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bulpett |first1=Steve |title=C's can't corral Carter - Star hits trey at the buzzer |work=The Boston Herald |date=March 2, 2000 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=88}}</ref> Between July 18 and July 20 three games were broadcast on [[ESPN2]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Costas pitches for Pedro |work=The Boston Herald |date=July 9, 2000 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=B13}}</ref> During the 2000 season, Shaw's sponsored the Shaw's Cup, which was an award given to the [[most valuable player]] in the league. The inaugural award was given to [[Desmond Mason]] of the Seattle SuperSonics. He was also named to the 2000 Shaw's Pro Summer League All-Tournament team, along with [[Shammond Williams]], [[Michael Redd]], [[Jumaine Jones]] and [[Jeff Foster (basketball)|Jeff Foster]].<ref name="shawcup">{{cite web |title=Mason Wins Shaw's Cup |url=http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws_cup_000723.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815083639/http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws_cup_000723.html |archive-date=15 August 2000 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=23 July 2000}}</ref> Williams, who also played for Seattle, led the league in scoring with 20.5 points per game, followed by Mason who averaged 18.2 points per game. The two led the SuperSonics to a 5–1 record, which was tied for first place with the Milwaukee Bucks.<ref name="2000summer">{{cite web |title=Shaw's Pro Summer League: Leaders and Standings |url=http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws2000_leaders_standings.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815083644/http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws2000_leaders_standings.html |archive-date=15 August 2000}}</ref>
Philadelphia 76ers player [[Raja Bell]] won the 2001 Shaw's Cup, which was given to the league's most valuable player. He averaged 21.4 points per game and shot 61.5 percent from the field. Bell was also named to the Shaw's Pro Summer League All-League team along with teammate [[Jumaine Jones]], [[Dion Glover]] of the Atlanta Hawks, [[Kwame Brown]] of the Washington Wizards and [[Joe Johnson (basketball)|Joe Johnson]] of the Boston Celtics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sixers' Bell Wins Shaw's Cup |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/shaws_cup_010722.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204120548/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/shaws_cup_010722.html |archive-date=4 February 2002 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=22 July 2001}}</ref> The New Jersey Nets defeated the 76ers, 93–89 for the 2001 league title. The Nets had a 5–1 record.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nets claim best record in Boston summer league |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2001-07-22-summer.htm |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 2001}}</ref>
[[File:2002 Shaw's Pro Summer League logo.gif|thumb|250px|The league's logo in 2002 when the title sponsor was [[Shaw's]] grocery store.]] In 2002, the league featured ten teams—the host Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Wizards. The 2002 Shaws Cup, which was awarded to the league's most valuable player, was won by [[Dion Glover]] of the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 17.8 points per game in six games played.<ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta's Glover Wins Shaw's Cup |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/Shawscup_2002.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020809020015/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/Shawscup_2002.html |archive-date=9 August 2002 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=21 July 2002}}</ref> The Hawks had a perfect 6–0 record and were crowned league champions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shaw's Pro Summer League Index |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sl02indexhtml |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref>
[[Reebok]] became the league's title sponsor in 2003. That season, the league went from July 14 to July 20 and was again held at Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium at the University of Massachusetts Boston.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Celtics Announce Dates And Teams For Newly Named Reebok Pro Summer League |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/03summerleagueannouncedhtml |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |location=Boston, Massachusetts}}</ref> [[NBA TV]] broadcast nine games from the Reebok Pro Summer League, starting with a July 16 game between the Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. [[Matt Devlin (sportscaster)|Matt Devlin]] and [[Spero Dedes]] served as the [[play-by-play]] announcer and [[Bill Raftery]] and [[Sam Vincent]] were the [[color commentator]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA TV to Broadcast Reebok Pro Summer League Games |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/nbatv_summer_030701.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=1 July 2003}}</ref> The league had unique rules that differed from regular season NBA rules. Quarters were limited from 12 to 10 minutes with three minute [[Overtime (sports)|overtime]] periods if necessary, no mandatory [[Time-out (sport)|timeout]]s (unless the game is broadcast on television), and the foul penalty was seven. No player was eligible to be [[foul out (basketball)|fouled out]], but after a player's sixth foul any subsequent fouls by that player would result in a single [[technical foul]] shot.<ref>{{cite web |title=2003 Reebok Pro Summer League Rules |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_Rules.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040220095322/https://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_Rules.html |archive-date=20 February 2004}}</ref> Ten teams competed that year, with the San Antonio Spurs winning the league title with a 6–0 record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reebok Pro Summer League |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/03SL_index.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040402145238/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/03SL_index.html |archive-date=2 April 2004}}</ref>
[[File:DNCconventionLINK.gif|thumb|left|180px|The [[2004 Democratic National Convention]] caused a scarcity of lodging in Boston, so the Reebok Pro Summer League scrapped its season and folded into the [[Las Vegas Summer League]].]] In 2003, [[John Salmons]] of the Philadelphia 76ers was named the league's Most Outstanding Player with an average of 19.6 points and 5.8 assists per game. Salmons was also named to the Reebok Pro Summer League First Team with [[Kedrick Brown]] and [[Brandon Hunter]] of the Boston Celtics, [[Devin Brown]] of the San Antonio Spurs and [[Donny Marshall]] of the New Jersey Nets. The second team consisted of [[Juan Dixon]] of the Washington Wizards, [[T. J. Ford]] of the Milwaukee Bucks, [[Marcus Banks]] of the Boston Celtics, [[Brian Scalabrine]] of the New Jersey Nets and [[Carlos Boozer]] of the Cleveland Cavaliers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia's John Salmons Wins Most Outstanding Player of the Reebok Pro Summer League |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_MOP.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404072908/http://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_MOP.html |archive-date=4 April 2004 |location=Boston, Massachusetts}}</ref>
The league planned to continue in 2004, but [[2004 Democratic National Convention|that year's Democratic National Convention]] was being held in [[Boston]], and as a result [[hotel]] rooms were scarce. Warren LeGarie invited the Reebok Pro Summer League teams—the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards—to play in his upstart league, the [[Las Vegas Summer League]]. The league is now owned and run by the National Basketball Association.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Christovich |first1=Amanda |title=How NBA's inaugural Vegas Summer League was kick-started by the Democratic National Convention |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/teams/2018/07/19/democratic-national-convention-start-nba-vegas-summer-league/799966002/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=USA Today |date=July 19, 2018}}</ref>
===Notable players=== {{div col|colwidth=18em}} *[[Rafer Alston]] (2000)<ref name="2000summer" /> *[[Chucky Atkins]] (1999)<ref name="99summer">{{cite web |title=Shaw Pro League Rosters |url=http://www.nba.com/news/shaw_rosters.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |ref=1999summer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001120182900/http://www.nba.com/news/shaw_rosters.html |archive-date=20 November 2000}}</ref> *[[Tony Battie]] (1999–2000)<ref name=99summer/><ref name=2000summer/> *[[Raja Bell]] (2001)<ref name="01summer">{{cite web |title=Team Rosters |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/summerleague_rosters.html?nav=ArticleList |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-date= 4 February 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204224002/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/summerleague_rosters.html?nav=ArticleList}}</ref> *[[Steve Blake]] (2003)<ref name="03summer">{{cite web |title=Reebok Pro Summer League Team Rosters |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_TeamRosters.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923064358/http://www.nba.com/celtics/summerleague/03SL_TeamRosters.html |archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> *[[Mark Blount]] (2000)<ref name=2000summer/> *[[Carlos Boozer]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Kwame Brown]] (2001–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Rick Brunson]] (1999–2001)<ref name=99summer/><ref name=2000summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Speedy Claxton]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Jason Collins]] (2002)<ref name="02summer">{{cite news |title=Celtics host Shaw's Pro Summer League |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nba/s/2002/0716/1406550.html |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |date=18 July 2002}}</ref> *[[Samuel Dalembert]] (2001, 2003)<ref name=03summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Boris Diaw]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Dan Dickau]] (2002–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/> *[[Juan Dixon]] (2002–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/> *[[Pervis Ellison]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Maurice Evans (basketball)|Maurice Evans]] (2002)<ref name=02summer/> *[[T. J. Ford]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Jeff Foster (basketball)|Jeff Foster]] (1999–2000)<ref name=99summer/><ref name=2000summer/> *[[Eddie Gill]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Dion Glover]] (2000–02)<ref name=2000summer/> *[[Al Harrington]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Udonis Haslem]] (2002–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/> *[[Brendan Haywood]] (2002)<ref name=02summer/> *[[Larry Hughes]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Stephen Jackson]] (2002)<ref name=02summer/> *[[LeBron James]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Richard Jefferson]] (2001–02)<ref name=02summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Joe Johnson (basketball)|Joe Johnson]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Kerry Kittles]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Kyle Korver]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Rashard Lewis]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Felipe López (basketball)|Felipe López]] (2002)<ref name=02summer/> *[[Sean Marks]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Desmond Mason]] (2000–01)<ref name=2000summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Darius Miles]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Nazr Mohammed]] (1999–2000)<ref name=99summer/><ref name=2000summer/> *[[Jamario Moon]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Gheorghe Muresan]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Kevin Ollie]] (1999–2000)<ref name=99summer/><ref name=2000summer/> *[[Smush Parker]] (2002)<ref name=02summer/> *[[Tony Parker]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Ruben Patterson]] (1999)<ref name=99summer/> *[[Kendrick Perkins]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Joel Przybilla]] (2000–02)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=2000summer/> *[[Vladimir Radmanović]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Michael Redd]] (2000–01)<ref name=2000summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[John Salmons]] (2003)<ref name=03summer/> *[[Brian Scalabrine]] (2001–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/><ref name="01summer"/> *[[Etan Thomas]] (2002–03)<ref name=02summer/><ref name=03summer/> *[[Earl Watson]] (2001)<ref name="01summer"/> *[[Lorenzen Wright]] (2000)<ref name=2000summer/> {{div col end}}
==See also== *[[NBA G League]] *[[Summer Pro League]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{external media | float = | width = | image1 = [https://twitter.com/si_vault/status/1016547060961693696 LeBron James at the 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League] via [[Sports Illustrated]] | image2 = [https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/shaws-pro-summer-league?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=shaw%27s%20pro%20summer%20league Shaw's Pro Summer League] via [[Getty Images]] | image3 = | audio1 = | audio2 = | audio3 = | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNJ-GFScOPA LeBron James highlights from a July 18, 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks] via [[YouTube]] | video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGL7j47tcrk Lenny Cooke 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League highlights] via YouTube | video3 = | model1 = | model2 = | model3 = }} *[http://www.insidehoops.com/summer_leagues_shaw.shtml 2002 Shaw's Summer Pro League] via [[Inside Hoops]] *[https://www.nba.com/media/celtics/SummerLeagueMediaGuide0721.pdf Boston Celtics 2003 Reebok Pro Summer League Media Guide] via [[NBA.com]] *{{cite web |title=Celtics Set Roster for Summer League |url=http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws_roster_000710.html |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817161229/http://www.nba.com/Celtics/shaws_roster_000710.html |archive-date=17 August 2000 |date=2000}} *{{cite news |last1=Broussard |first1=Chris |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks and Nets Look Down the Bench at Summer League |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/26/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-and-nets-look-down-the-bench-at-summer-league.html?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=830C467A4F62444030DA7880BCA3BD04&gwt=pay |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=July 26, 1999}} *{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Ken |title=Heat is on in the summer league |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-07-16-0207160988-story.html |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=The Hartford Courant |date=July 16, 2002 |location=Hartford, Connecticut}} *{{cite news |last1=D’Olimpio |first1=Matthew |title=Cook, Postell fight for jobs at Shaw's summer league |url=https://qns.com/story/2002/07/28/cook-postell-fight-for-jobs-at-shaws-summer-league/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=TimesLedger |date=July 28, 2002 |location=Queens, New York}} *{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Chad |title=An oral history of LeBron James and the 2003 UMass-Boston Summer League |url=https://apps.bostonglobe.com/sports/graphics/2018/07/lebron-james/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 27, 2018 |location=Boston, Massachusetts}}
{{Boston Celtics}} {{Reebok}}
[[Category:1999 establishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:2004 disestablishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Boston Celtics]] [[Category:NBA Summer League]] [[Category:Reebok]] [[Category:Basketball competitions in Boston]]