Free agent excels for New Orleans

Like the multitude of free agents trying to display their skills at the NBA Summer League, Bobby Brown hopes to make enough of a positive impression that he doesn’t have to spend next year in Europe.

The 6-foot-2-inch guard from Cal State Fullerton would love to serve as Chris Paul’s caddie in New Orleans, and he has played well all week at Cox Pavilion.

Brown is leading the Hornets in scoring with a 15.8 average and assists (6.0), but that might not be enough to get him a spot on the Hornets’ opening-night roster.

New Orleans has contracts pending with veterans Mike James and Jannero Pargo. That might preclude the team from keeping Brown.

“I can’t worry about that,” Brown said after scoring 17 points Thursday in the Hornets’ 80-76 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers. “Hopefully, someone will want me.”

Brown said it was his job to get himself noticed.

“My mind-set was to play with a chip on my shoulder and play hard,” he said.

The Hornets (3-1) wrap up summer league play Sunday at Cox Pavilion against Portland. Brown, who played professionally last year in Germany, said he’s glad he decided to come to Las Vegas.

“It’s been great exposure for me,” he said. “No matter what ultimately happens, it was the right move.”

• LOVE ‘SELECTED’ — Minnesota rookie forward Kevin Love confirmed Thursday that he will join the USA Basketball Select Team that will scrimmage daily against Team USA beginning Monday at Valley High School.

“They talked to me, and I’m going to do it,” Love said.

The former UCLA standout joins a roster that includes rookies O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose. Love is averaging 20.7 points and 15.0 rebounds for the Timberwolves in the summer league.

• LA ROCQUE HONORED — The summer league honored longtime Las Vegas high school basketball coach Al La Rocque on Thursday night. La Rocque retired in 2007 after 34 seasons of coaching in town.

• NBA BRASS ATTENDS — Adam Silver, the NBA’s deputy commissioner, visited the summer league Thursday. Stu Jackson, the NBA’s vice president for basketball operations, was in town Wednesday.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.