Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Anthony Marshall’s road to making an NBA roster will need to resemble that of another former UNLV basketball player.

Marshall, who capped his four-year UNLV career in March by becoming the first Rebel in two decades to play in the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons, was signed Friday by the Miami Heat after not being selected in Thursday’s NBA draft. Miami, which didn’t have any picks in draft's first round, will give the 6-foot-3 point guard a chance — albeit a long-shot — to prove himself July 12 to 22 during the NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center.

“Thankful & Blessed for the opportunity,” Marshall posted on Twitter.

He’s not the first ex-Rebel the Heat have taken a chance on.

Joel Anthony faced similar long odds in 2007 when he was signed by Miami after not being selected, but the center has been part of two NBA championship teams in six years with the Heat.

Marshall averaged 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game with a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season with UNLV in being named a second-team All-Mountain West selection.

If he doesn’t stick with the Heat, there will be plenty of opportunities overseas. The summer league is packed with scouts from foreign teams looking to fill their rosters.

Miami also signed former Findlay Prep player Myck Kabongo of the University of Texas, also a point guard. Kabongo, a former McDonald’s All-American, was a potential first-round pick heading into last season before being suspended 23 games for accepting impermissible benefits.

Elijah Johnson, a Cheyenne High graduate, was picked up Friday by the Los Angeles Clippers and will be on their summer league roster in Las Vegas. Johnson, a combo guard, played four seasons at Kansas.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.