Bryce Cotton got a chance from the Hawks.
In fact, it was his only chance.
Cotton will try to make the most of an opportunity as part of the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League. The well-traveled guard does have 23 games of NBA experience in stints with three teams over the past two seasons.
“Believe it or not, it was the only opportunity so I was just grateful they took a chance on me,” Cotton said Friday. “I wanted to come in, work hard and do whatever they need.”
Cotton scored 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, in the Hawks’ tournament-opening 83-78 victory over the Rockets on Friday. He also added seven rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes off the bench.
Cotton, who is more than generously listed as 6-foot-1, has played with the Jazz, Suns and Grizzlies since coming out of Providence as a two-time All-Big East player. He played three games for the Suns and five games for the Grizzlies last season. He also played for the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League and the Xinjian Flyer Tigers in China. He was named All-D-League Second Team with Austin in 2015.
There is an outside chance for Cotton to remain with the Hawks. The roster is still in need of a third point guard, and there will competition for a possible spot.
“I’m not the tallest guy in the world,” Cotton said Friday. “I have to use my speed and quickness to my advantage. Just be a little hound on defense and make my open shots. That’s pretty much your way anywhere in the league. If you don’t play defense, you get a one-way ticket out pretty quick.”
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