Let’s take a quick look at a few (rookie) performances from the 1st day of 2023 (Las Vegas) Summer League:
1st Pick • Victor Wembanyama (SAS) - 9, 8 boards, 5 blocks & 3 dimes
-Tough first outing for Wemby on offense, though he showcased incredible readiness as a multi-dimensional rim protector (swatted away jumpers & shots at the basket) & playmaker (notably, off the dribble)
2nd Pick • Brandon Miller (CHA) - 16, 11 boards & 3 steals
-Miller’s shot is slowly coming around: was very aggressive with his approach, a welcome sight for Hornets fans; crashed the glass well an was active defensively
3rd Pick • Scoot Henderson (POR) - 15, 6 & 5 boards
-Plays like he’s “been here before” - just a mature, calculated approach from Scoot: even when shots weren’t falling, it didn’t feel like he was rushing/forcing anything; left game w/ a shoulder injury
#4 Pick • Amen Thompson (HOU) - 16, 5 dimes, 4 boards, 4 blocks & 3 steals
-Impressive debut: looked comfortable in transition, court vision was on point & made a TON of plays on the defensive end
13th Pick • Gradey Dick (TOR) - 10, 4 boards & 3 steals
-Struggled a little from the outside but got into a nice rhythm as the game went along
14th Pick • Jordan Hawkins (NOP) - 16 & 5 dimes
-Jumper wasn’t falling but still looked in a nice flow; underrated playmaker who also got some nice buckets inside
19th Pick • Brandin Podziemski (GSW): 9, 11 boards & 2 dimes
-Podz is such an instinctive passer who really has a nose for the ball
20th Pick • Cam Whitmore (HOU) - 14, 11, 2 dimes & 2 steals
-Will quickly turn into a fan favorite in Houston; great energy & effort, gets out and finishes on the break
23rd Pick • Kris Murray (POR) - 10 pts
-Will progressively get better as Summer League rolls along, similar to his career at Iowa
29th Pick • Julian Strawther (DEN) - 15 & 2 steals
-Ideal swingman for Denver to cultivate off the bench; Strawther defends & can knock down the open shot
32nd Pick • Jalen Pickett (DEN) - 12, 6 boards, 5 dimes & 3 steals
-Did/does a bit of everything: Pickett could eventually bring some of what Bruce Brown Jr. brought to Denver
33rd Pick • Leonard Miller (MIN) - 16, 11, boards 2 dimes, 2 steals
-Great pickup by Minny: not sure how much playing time Miller will get as a rook but his versatility as a screener/finisher/defender/rebounder is noteworthy
34th Pick • Colby Jones (SAC) - 12, 3 & 2 steals
-Tough defender who’s still finding his shot from deep; future “Swiss-Army knife” in SacTown?
37th Pick • Hunter Tyson (DEN) - 21 & 5 boards (off bench)
-Tyson scored very well w/ his jumper & mixed it up by attacking the rim as well; on the path to minutes in Coach Mike Malone’s deep rotation?
39th Pick • Mouhamed Gueye (ATL) - 10, 5 & 3 dimes
-Gueye could really push for minutes next season: talented, two-way big (in the making)
49th Pick • Emoni Bates (CLE) - 16 & 6 boards
-Bates wasn’t efficient but ironically showcased some of the scoring prowess that makes him an intriguing prospect/fit in Cleveland
51st Pick • Jalen Wilson (BKN) - 17 & 5 boards
-Very productive 1st performance from Wilson: the next upperclassman, draft steal?
Undrafted ROOKS
Jazian Gortman (MIL) - 13 pts (12 min. off bench)
Markquis Nowell (TOR) - 17, 5 dimes, 4 boards & 3 steals
Matt Lewis (BKN) - 14 pts (off bench)
Brady Manek (ATL) - 17 pts (off bench)
Kendric Davis (GSW) - 12, 8 & 4 boards