Gardner getting summer-league shot

Former Missouri guard Thomas Gardner, who played professionally in Russia and Puerto Rico last season after spending four games with the Chicago Bulls, is hoping an appearance in the Las Vegas Summer League will lead to another chance to stick in the NBA. Gardner, who averaged 19.7 points during his junior season with the Tigers to rank second in the Big 12 in 2005-06, is one of 11 players who'll suit up for the Toronto Raptors summer-league squad, when they open play at 2 p.m. (CDT) Saturday in Las Vegas. Toronto will play five games in the summer league with games at the Thomas & Mack Center and COX Pavilion on the UNLV campus. After playing the Kings, the team will also face Denver (Monday), Philadelphia (Thursday), Los Angeles Lakers (Friday) and Golden State (July 19). The Portland native, who averaged 5.3 points and 1.0... [read full story]