The NBA's Las Vegas Summer League is winding down, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future stars who might soon dominate the hardwood. Among these, the 2024 draft class, peppered with second-year players and aspirant talents, took to the court with aspirations of securing their places in the highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA season.
Standout Performances and Notable Struggles
Houston Rockets' guard Reed Sheppard, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, showcased his impressive skills by averaging 20 points per game, alongside 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds over four games, reaffirming why he was a top pick.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Washington Wizards' No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, experienced a challenging stint. Sarr had a particularly tough game where he shot a disappointing 0 of 15 from the floor. Over the summer league, he averaged just 5.5 points per game, leaving much room for growth as he adapts to the professional level.
The Atlanta Hawks placed their faith in Zaccharie Risacher, the top overall pick, who played only two games but managed to go 11 of 27 from the field. His performance hinted at his potential but left fans wanting more. Meanwhile, Ron Holland, the Detroit Pistons' No. 5 pick, struggled with his shooting, finishing 4 of 17 in three-point attempts.
Supporting Cast and Defensive Standouts
The Charlotte Hornets' No. 6 pick, Tidjane Salaun, also found the transition to the summer league challenging, going 1 of 10 from beyond the arc across three games while averaging 9.0 points per game. In contrast, Portland Trail Blazers' No. 7 pick, Donovan Clingan, excelled defensively, averaging 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in just under 26 minutes per game. Clingan also demonstrated his versatility with three successful three-point shots.
Rob Dillingham, the Minnesota Timberwolves' No. 8 pick, made a significant impact with a stellar performance against the Orlando Magic, posting a team-high 25 points and 12 assists. Matas Buzelis, the Chicago Bulls' No. 11 pick, played in five games and had notable moments, including a standout performance against the Warriors where he scored 28 points, grabbed five rebounds, and made two steals.
Challenges and Injuries
Zach Edey, picked at No. 9 by the Memphis Grizzlies, had his summer league cut short by an ankle injury against the Pelicans. Despite this setback, he recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks during the Salt Lake City Summer League, showcasing his potential when healthy.
Injury woes continued with Oklahoma City Thunder's Nikola Topić missing out due to a torn ACL, and Devin Carter of the Sacramento Kings sidelined following shoulder surgery. Their absences were felt as their teams navigated the summer league.
Carlton Carrington, who turned 19 recently, was selected at No. 14 by the Washington Wizards and responded with a versatile performance against the Bucks, recording 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, indicating a promising future.
Consistency and Efficiency
Utah Jazz's No. 10 pick, Cody Williams, proved to be a model of consistency, playing in seven games between the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. Williams was highly efficient, shooting 73.9% on shots in the paint.
Stephon Castle showed flashes of brilliance in his limited appearances, playing one game during the Las Vegas Summer League and three in the California Classic. In his solo Las Vegas outing, Castle tallied an impressive 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two three-pointers, underscoring his potential impact in the NBA.
As the summer league wraps up, these young talents have laid the groundwork for their future careers. While there were standout performances and growing pains, each player's journey toward NBA stardom remains a story to watch in the coming season.