5 Players Impressing Early on in NBA Summer League
By Ryan Flores
The NBA Summer League has always been a place where we get to witness several under-the-radar players enjoy incredible performances. This year has been no different, with a plethora of players putting up completely dominant showings so far. Here are five players who have made the most noise so far.
5. Tacko Fall, Boston Celtics
Fall is proving to be exactly what the Celtics are looking for. In 21 minutes, the 7-foot-7 center has produced 18 points, six rebounds, and two blocks to go with a great plus/minus of +27. He's most certainly pushing for a roster spot come opening night of the NBA season.
4. Ignas Brazdeikis, New York Knicks
Many were expecting the Knicks top draft pick RJ Barrett to be the first one to produce a breakout performance in the summer league, but that has yet to happen. However, their second-round pick in Brazdeikis played incredibly well in his first game, posting a game-high 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the floor, with 8 rebounds and 2 assists. He's most certainly earned his rookie contract so far.
3. Chris Clemons, Houston Rockets
Clemons has been a walking bucket in the summer league so far. He was the nation's third-leading scorer at Campbell last season, and is continue to score as such playing professional basketball. Clemons dropped 25 points in his summer league debut with a whopping seven three-pointers in the third quarter, then put up 22 points in his second game. He's looking like an undrafted steal for the Rockets so far.
2. Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans
With Zion Williamson sitting out for the rest of the Summer League with a knee injury, The 6-foot-11 Hayes has opened eyes, dropping 28 points with 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in 20 minutes during his debut. He also put up an absolutely monstrous dunk that will go down as one of the best in summer league history.
1. Lonnie Walker IV, San Antonio Spurs
Walker is delivering on some of that hype that he had when he was drafted 18th overall by the Spurs last year. The 6-foot-5 guard has been on a complete tear, dropping averages of 30 points with 4 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and a block. He's most certainly been everything the Spurs have wished for him to be so far. Hopefully he can carry some of that success with him into the regular season.