By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. In the educational world, Summer School is viewed as a time for "slacking" students to catch up to their peers. Whether they're trying to pass on to the next level, or even attending summer courses to gain an edge in the upcoming semester many things can be taught and learned during this time period. In the sports world, the NBA has its version of Summer School, many draft picks, undrafted players, and young veterans, meet in cities such as Vegas, and Orlando to convene in their version of summer school. Some of the participants are using this time to gain an edge in the upcoming season, some are looking to get up to speed, while others are just trying to make the grade. Below is Thoughtful Thursday's version of a Progress Report, pay attention class is now in session! NBA Summer League News & Notes: o Las Vegas: For many players participating in the Vegas summer camp, they hope what goes on in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. Randy Foye, T-Wolves, is averaging 26 points/ game, and to many is favored to be R.O.Y. (Rookie of the Year)....but B-ROY (Brandon Roy), Blazers, is averaging 15 points (18 pts. Last game) and 4 assists shooting 66% (4 games). He's displaying an all-around game backing opponents down, crossing both ways, with step-back and fade-away jumpers however his teammate, LaMarcus Aldridge, isn't doing so well, averaging 10.5 points 6 rebs. (shooting 42%) settling for outside shots...Cavs' rookie Shannon Brown is proving to be a great pick-up for Cleveland posting 16 pts. 5 assts. at PG and 19 pts. at SG. When asked about how he feels playing alongside LeBron James he reminded reporters that he's excited since they've known one another since they were 16 through AAU Basketball... o Orlando: For the second year in a row a talented point guard was passed over in the draft, and it seems as if for a second year he's making them pay! Marcus Williams, Nets, debuted with a 24 point 12 asst. (4-5 3pt.) outing. It seems as if J. Kidd has finally found someone to pass the torch to... Sean May, Bobcats, seems to be 100% healthy after suffering a season ending knee injury. He posted 22 pts. 7 rebs. 6 stls. Including a shot from long-distance "I'm just trying to extend my game and show that I'm not just a back-to-the-basket player"....May's newest teammate Adam Morrison got off to a rocky start with a 3-14 (12 points) performance "There were some jitters.." said Morrison, but he did add 5 asst. 4 rebs and 1 blk. The man with a 'stache proved why the 'cats selected him at #3, by coming out in his second game draining his first 5 shots (15 of the 'Cats first 21 points) Scoring 25 points in the first half (finishing with 29) against the Bulls....Speaking of which Chicago got to see their top pick Tyrus Thomas display his talents. As he auditioned at SF he shot 3-9 but he bounced back against the Bobcats scoring 17 points 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, that may have been impressive to many but the eye-catcher in Chicago is Swedish import, Thabo Sefolosha, No BULL! Sefolosha has connected on 11 of 16 shots (avg. 16 pts.) and at 6'5 215 he's proving that he is a solid defender matching up with the likes of Adam Morrison...When there's Morrison there's Redick, but not in the case of summer league. J.J. Redick is sitting out of summer league play due to a herniated disk. "Because I haven't been able to play ball, it's made me grouchy, at least that's what all my friends say." Let's hope J.J. can play soon, the last time he was grouchy he was cited for a DUI. Free-Agency o Upon Further Review: Yes! The city of Cleveland can exhale LeBron James has agreed to terms for a contract extension. But wait he turned down the 5 yr. $80 million offer, and instead agreed to a 3 yr. $60 million deal with an option year...translation the 'Cavs must win now....As a result of LBJ's deal Carmelo Anthony, was offered the same five-year extension and originally agreed before rethinking the deal. But he quickly came back down to earth, agreeing to terms to receive a GUARANTEED $80 million. The third party from the '03 class, Dwyane Wade, thought long and in my eyes thought wrong. He too was offered the max 5-year deal, and verbally agreed to terms before stating that he will agree to a 3-year deal like James'. To me it was smart for LeBron because he has over $100 million NIKE dollars to play with, while D-Wade who is injury prone is not so fortunate. Memo to D-Wade take the guaranteed money, you already have a ring! o Bonzi Wells, has reportedly been testing the market, but it seems as if he'll eventually be crowned by the Kings to rejoin Artest & Co. o Al Harrington, it seems will join a new team via sign and trade. The front-runners are the Golden State Warriors, but Indiana is trying to keep pace in the hunt for Al....stay tuned. o Mike James, Who! Mike James (I always wanted to do that!) has been acting as his own agent during the off-season meeting with owners and coaches during the Las Vegas summer league. His front-runners are the Mavericks, due to his long-term relationship with Avery Johnson, followed by the Rockets and Wolves. His #1 priority is to win a Championship, and a chance to start. Its safe to say that the Mavs, would land him but with the likes of Devin Harris and Jason Terry would James fit in...Rockets should launch for James since they have two stars in McGrady and Ming. SPORTS VENTZ o USA Basketball Set-back! Kirk Hinrich, dynamic guard of the Chicago Bulls was added to the USA Basketball roster Wednesday after J.J. Redick announced he will not participate in try-outs due to his back injury. To many it may be a set-back but to me it was an upgrade! o Who Cares? Apparently 14.4 million viewers in regards to the MLB All-Star game. I must admit I myself did not care to watch this year's festivities, but was surprised to learn that ratings for the Home Run Derby (Fox) went up 10% from last year's competition, and the game itself went up 15% from last year. If you CARE to know Phillies' stand-out Ryan Howard was victorious in the long ball classic launching 23 balls to the bleachers...As for the game itself, the AL won 3-2, during the ninth inning off a 2-out, 2-run triple, thanks to Rangers shortstop Michael Young. Only once in history had a team been losing an All-Star Game with two outs in the ninth to eventually come out with a W, that was 1941 off the bat of a guy named Ted Williams, great company for Young. o Stop Snitching! Yeah I said it! What ever happened to loyalty, friendship, honor, crew tight, friends to the end! Well, one of Barry Bonds' longtime friends, Steve Hoskins a memorabilia salesmen, is a key witness against Bonds as the federal government ponders perjury or tax-evasion charges against the Giants slugger. The two sold Bonds' sports equipment through Hoskins' company. All the clich