As the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League reaches its closing stages, a mix of first-year prospects and sophomore players have shown off their skills, vying to establish themselves ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Among them, several high-profile draft picks made notable impacts—or struggled to find consistency—offering a glimpse of their potential and areas for growth.
Top Picks in Focus
Topping the 2024 NBA Draft, Atlanta Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher made a brief appearance in the Summer League. Despite playing only two games, Risacher managed to shoot 11 of 27 from the field. This limited action left fans and analysts wanting more, though it was sufficient to display his potential as a top pick.
Meanwhile, Alex Sarr, selected second overall by the Washington Wizards, had a challenging game where he failed to hit the target, shooting 0 of 15 from the floor. Despite this off night, Sarr wrapped up the league with an average of 5.5 points per game, a statistic he'll undoubtedly look to improve upon as the regular season approaches.
Houston's Rising Star
The Houston Rockets' guard, Reed Sheppard, picked third overall, showcased his scoring prowess by averaging 20 points per game, along with 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds over four games. His performance solidified his reputation as a versatile and reliable player, ready to take the next step into the NBA spotlight.
Mixed Results for Other High Picks
Ron Holland, the Detroit Pistons' fifth pick, had a difficult time finding his range from beyond the arc, hitting only 4 of 17 three-point attempts. The Charlotte Hornets' No. 6 pick, Tidjane Salaun, faced similar struggles, going 1 of 10 from three-point range across three games but still managing to average 9.0 points per game.
Portland Trail Blazers' seventh pick Donovan Clingan proved his defensive mettle, averaging an impressive 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game in under 26 minutes of action. Clingan also demonstrated his perimeter shooting ability, making three three-pointers during the league.
Rob Dillingham, selected eighth by the Minnesota Timberwolves, delivered a standout performance with a team-high 25 points and 12 assists in a game against the Orlando Magic. This showing underscores his playmaking and scoring abilities, earmarking him as a player to watch.
Health Concerns and Impressive Performances
The Memphis Grizzlies' ninth pick, Zach Edey, faced a setback with an ankle injury sustained against the Pelicans. Before the injury, Edey had a solid outing in the Salt Lake City Summer League, recording 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. This unfortunate incident paused what could have been a promising Summer League campaign.
Cody Williams, picked tenth by the Utah Jazz, participated in seven games across both the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. He stood out for his inside scoring efficiency, converting 73.9% of his attempts in the paint.
Emerging Talents
Despite their lower draft spots, several other players made their marks. Carlton Carrington, the Washington Wizards' fourteenth pick, displayed his all-around game with a notable performance against the Bucks, tallying 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Carrington, who recently turned 19, is swiftly establishing himself as a formidable presence.
Chicago Bulls' eleventh pick, Matas Buzelis, participated in five games, with a standout performance against the Golden State Warriors. Buzelis posted 28 points, five rebounds, and two steals, showcasing his scoring ability and defensive prowess.
At the same time, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Nikola Topić and Sacramento Kings' Devin Carter faced unfortunate injuries. Topić missed the Summer League due to a torn ACL, while Carter was sidelined following shoulder surgery, delaying their opportunity to impress until they can return to full fitness.
One interesting case was Stephon Castle, whose performance spanned multiple leagues. He played one game in Las Vegas, where he tallied 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two three-pointers, and participated in three games during the California Classic. Castle's versatility and scoring capability were on full display, offering a promising outlook for his future in the league.
As these aspiring players return to their respective teams to prepare for the upcoming NBA season, the Summer League has provided a taste of what fans might expect. With standout performances, moments of struggle, and the ever-present risk of injury, the journey to regular-season play is paved with challenges and opportunities for growth.