Providence's Bryce Cotton, left, goes up for a shot as North Carolina's Brice Johnson, right, defends during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament March 21, 2014, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

 David J. Phillip

Palo Verde High gradΒ Bryce CottonΒ begins his NBA career Monday when the San Antonio Spurs open practice for 2014-15. Cotton, an All-Big East standout at Providence, is one of 19 players on the Spurs’ roster; 15 will make it to opening day. Fifteen players have fully guaranteed contracts; Cotton does not. He is likely to open his pro career with the NBA D-League’s Austin Toros.

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