The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada  is upon us as the 21 teams will arrive in the Sin City this weekend.  For many players it will be the first time they will put a NBA jersey on, for some it will be a chance to improve there game.

There will be no lack of stars at the Cox Pavillion and the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV. Minnesota Timberwolves will showcase second year players Corey Brewer and Chris Richard. Big man Kevin Love will show the nation why he was a top five selection in the NBA draft.

Other big name players include O J Mayo and Mike Conley from Memphis,  Danillo Gallinari (New York Knicks), Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers), Joe Alexander (Milwaukee), D J Augustine (Charlotte), Brandon Wright and Anthony Randolph (Golden State Warriors), and a host of  former great college players.

In the Timberwolves first game on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks instead of playing against the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jason Kidd. The young Minnesota squad will be playing against Shan Foster the Mavericks only draft selection in the 2008 draft.  Aaron Miles, Keith McLeod, James Singleton, Charles Rhodes, JaJuan Smith and Gerald Green.

It gives the teams a chance to look at there younger players on their roster against the other teams younger talent. But more importantly it's a chance for these guys to step out on a NBA court with NBA rules and refs.

"Its really important for the guys coming out of college because your playing NBA style of basketball and the 24 second shot clock," Timberwolves Summer League Coach Jerry Sichting said.  "Plus the referees will call the game like an NBA game."

Last summer rookie sensation Kevin Durant turned some eyes at the NBA summer league. That momentum carried on throughout his rookie campaign for the Seattle Sonics as he went on to win rookie of the year.

Dallas Mavericks Summer League Roster

33 Shan Foster Vanderbilt

24  Richie Frahm Gonzaga

8 Gerald Green Gulf Shores Academy

43 Yaroslav Korolev Russia

20  Keith McLeod Bowling Green

21  Pops Mensah-Bonsu George Washington

18  Ronnie Seibutis Lithuania

51 James Singleton Murray State

3  JaJuan Smith Tennessee 

9  Pape Sow Cal State Fullerton