The Las Vegas Summer League is drawing to a close, marking the end of an important showcase for the 2024 draft class alongside second-year players and hopeful talents aspiring to carve out spots in the 2024-25 NBA season. This year's summer league has offered basketball fans a glimpse of emerging stars and potential future leaders of the league.
Top Draft Picks Showcase Their Skills
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, lived up to his billing with consistent performances. Sheppard averaged an impressive 20 points per game, supported by 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds over four games. His on-court presence and ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game have earmarked him as a player to watch in the upcoming season.
Washington Wizards' No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, faced a challenging stint, highlighted by a game in which he missed all 15 of his field-goal attempts. Despite the rough outing, Sarr managed to average 5.5 points per game. The top overall pick, Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher, participated in only two games but managed a notable 11 of 27 from the field.
Mid-First Round Talents
Ron Holland, selected fifth by the Detroit Pistons, showed some struggles from long range, finishing just 4 of 17 in three-point shooting. Charlotte Hornets’ No. 6 pick, Tidjane Salaun, also had difficulties from beyond the arc, hitting only 1 of 10 over three games while averaging 9.0 points per game.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 pick, demonstrated his prowess in rebounding and shot-blocking, averaging 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in just under 26 minutes per game. Notably, Clingan also managed to make three three-pointers during the league, showcasing a versatile skill set.
Minnesota Timberwolves' No. 8 pick, Rob Dillingham, turned heads with a standout performance against the Magic, where he posted a team-high 25 points and 12 assists. Meanwhile, Zach Edey, picked ninth by the Memphis Grizzlies, suffered an ankle injury during a game against the Pelicans but had previously recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Late Lottery Selections in Action
The Utah Jazz’s Cody Williams, their No. 10 pick, participated in seven games between the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas events, showing an impressive 73.9% shooting accuracy on shots in the paint. The Chicago Bulls’ No. 11 pick, Matas Buzelis, played in five games, delivering a standout 28-point performance against the Warriors that included five rebounds and two steals.
While Nikola Topić of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings' Devin Carter were unable to participate due to injuries—a torn ACL and shoulder surgery respectively—other players seized their opportunities. Carlton Carrington, the No. 14 pick by the Washington Wizards, had a notable game against the Bucks recording 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Interestingly, Carrington recently turned 19, adding a layer of intrigue to his performance and future potential.
Other Notable Performances
Stephon Castle played a limited schedule, featuring in one Las Vegas Summer League game and three in the California Classic. In his solo Las Vegas outing, Castle tallied 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and drained two three-pointers, making a strong impression in a condensed timeframe.
As the Las Vegas Summer League concludes, the NBA community has much to ponder and anticipate. The performances seen during this period have not only highlighted individual talents but also set the stage for an exciting 2024-25 NBA season.