They were 31 European players – including 9 French – on the starting line of the Summer League 2021. Some of them will play next season in the NBA, others in the G-League and others in Europe.
The French
Théo Maledon (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 9.8 points to 33.3% on shots, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 balls lost in 29 minutes (5 matches)
Already guaranteed to play in the NBA next year, Theo Maledon took advantage of the Summer League to find the rhythm. More solid physically, he alternated between the good (15 points, 11 assists against the Pistons) and the less good (33.3% on shots).
Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons) – 6.3 points to 31.8% on shots, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.3 balls lost in 27 minutes (3 matches)
By sequences, Killian Hayes proved that he was able to get his hands on the game of the Pistons and to illustrate himself by his versatility. Against New York, the leader notably compiled 7 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 interception and 1 against in 31 minutes.
Sekou Doumbouya (Detroit Pistons) – 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26 minutes (2 matches)
Forced to leave his partners for family reasons, Sekou Doumbouya did not take full advantage of the exposure of the Summer League to raise his rating.
Killian Tillie (Memphis Grizzlies) – 14.5 points at 40% on shots, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 interceptions in 22 minutes (2 matches)
His first 20-point outing against the Nets confirmed he could claim a new contract in the NBA. The leaders of the Grizzlies have decided to offer him a new two-way contract, like last season.
Juhann Begarin (Boston Celtics) – 6.2 points to 39.4% on shots, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.8 balls lost in 24 minutes (5 matches)
Arrived in the final of the Summer League in Las Vegas, the 45th pick of the draft made the show with spectacular dunks and counters. He stood out from the start with an interception that allowed the Celtics to win against Atlanta. Enough to claim a place in the NBA from next season?
Jaylen Hoard (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 6.8 points to 45.2% on shots, 5.6 rebounds in 22 minutes (5 matches)
Jaylen Hoard alternated between good and bad. After a 0/6 against the Warriors, he made up for it with 16 points at 7/9 on shots against Indiana or his 10 rebounds against the Pistons. He can claim a new contract.
Joel Ayayi (Los Angeles Lakers) – 4.8 points to 43.5% on shots, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 21 minutes (5 matches)
Faithful to his style of play, Joel Ayayi never forced himself, putting his talent at the service of the collective. The Lakers two-way-contract remained discreet against the Suns and the Clippers but released their benchmark match against the Knicks: 11 points and 5 assists.
Olivier Sarr (Memphis Grizzlies) – 10.5 points to 69.6% on shots, 7.0 rebounds in 16 minutes (2 matches)
He is one of those who took advantage of the event to increase their rating. Very little used in the first two matches, Olivier Sarr compiled 10 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes against Sacramento. This performance gave him more playing time for the last two matches (15 points and 6 rebounds in 17 minutes against Chicago and 18 points and 13 rebounds in 23 minutes against the Clippers).
Yves Pons (Memphis Grizzlies) – 1.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 against and 0.8 interception in 17 minutes (4 matches)
Yves Pons reassured by his defensive impact but was very discreet offensively. His characteristics as a defender may nevertheless be of interest to some franchises.
The main Europeans
Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) – 14.5 points (43.2% on shots), 10.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.3 interceptions in 25 minutes (4 games)
Without doubt the most prominent European in Las Vegas. The Turkish League MVP amazed Rockets fans who didn’t know him, turning into a double-double twice. The Turk also reassured about his ability to handle the ball, take rebounds and counter.
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) – 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 interceptions in 21 minutes (4 games)
Drafted in the 8th choice by the Magic, the German Franz Wagner showed some weaknesses on his outside shot (2/13 at 3-points, 15.4%) but remains a versatile winger sought after for his defensive profile above all.
Usman Garuba (Houston Rockets) – 4.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.7 against in 18 minutes
Returning from the Tokyo Olympics with boundless energy, Usman Garuba showed excellent things in defense, a little less in attack.
Omer Yurtseven (Miami Heat) – 20.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.3 interceptions in 31 minutes (3 matches).
After a notable stint in the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento, Omer Yurtseven confirmed in Las Vegas, in another summer league. Capable of shooting from a distance as well as from a low post, the Turk is now expected by the opposing defenses.
Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers) – 4.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 17 minutes (4 games)
His first four Summer League outings haven’t convinced Sixers executives. Despite his reputation as a scorer, he only scored 37% of his shots. He bounces back at Anadalu Efes next season before trying his luck again in the NBA.
Rokas Jokubaitis (New York Knicks) – 6.3 points at 70% on shots (including 60% at 3-points), 1.3 rebound, 0.7 passes in 10 minutes (3 matches)
The Lithuanian showed his potential thanks to his skill but also showed that he had to progress physically to win in the NBA. He will return to Spain to FC Barcelona next year.
Giorgios Kalaitzakis (Milwaukee Bucks) – 10,5 points, 5,0 passes, 1,5 interception en 18 minutes (2 matches)
Drafted in 60th position of the draft, the young Greek managed to be seen in the Summer League by compiling good averages over two meetings. To confirm.
Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) – 6.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 22 minutes (4 games)
Not successful on shots (18.6% including 10.0% at 3-points), the Spaniard did little in the Summer League, unlike the French on his team. The 30th draft pick will have to whip to find a place.
Others
Among all the others, few will land a guaranteed contract in the NBA this season. Lithuanian Arnoldas Kulboka has shown off with the Hornets, as have some with other franchises (Sandro Mamukelashivili, Marko Simonovic or Ignas Brazdeikis). Others did not have enough playing time to hope to convince a team: Alex Antetokounmpo, Arnas Velicka, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Deividas Sirvydis, Sehmus Hazer, Anzejs Pasecniks or Janis Timma.
| name | Nationality | Matches | Minutes | Points | % shoot | % 3-points | Rebounds | Passes | Lost bullets | Ints | Cons | +/- |
| Marko Simonovic | Montenegro | 5 | 18,9 | 12,0 | 50,0 | 0,0 | 4,4 | 2,0 | 1,8 | 1,4 | 0,4 | 4 |
| Sandro Mamukelashivili | Georgia | 5 | 26,5 | 11,2 | 42,2 | 25,0 | 8,6 | 2,2 | 2,4 | 1,4 | 0,6 | -5 |
| Ignas Brazdeikis | Lithuania / Australia | 5 | 18,5 | 8,8 | 40,0 | 33,3 | 3,2 | 1,2 | 1,6 | 1,2 | 0,6 | 1 |
| Arnold Kulboka | Lithuania | 4 | 21,0 | 8,3 | 39,3 | 35,0 | 3,0 | 1,3 | 2,0 | 1,8 | 0,3 | 3 |
| Anzejs Pasecniks | Latvia | 5 | 18,8 | 7,2 | 48,5 | 0,0 | 4,8 | 1,6 | 3,2 | 0,2 | 0,6 | 5 |
| Janis Timma | Latvia | 5 | 14,8 | 7,0 | 41,4 | 38,5 | 3,4 | 1,0 | 0,8 | 0,6 | 0,6 | -1 |
| Nehemiah Ketha | Portugal | 5 | 19,7 | 5,0 | 50,0 | 0,0 | 4,6 | 0,8 | 1,4 | 0,6 | 1,0 | 9 |
| Sehmus Hazer | Turkey | 3 | 14,3 | 5,0 | 25,0 | 16,7 | 1,3 | 1,0 | 0,3 | 0,0 | 0,0 | -8 |
| Yam Madar | Israel | 3 | 15,7 | 4,7 | 46,7 | 0,0 | 1,7 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 3 |
| David Sirvydis | Lithuania | 4 | 11,4 | 4,0 | 26,1 | 17,6 | 1,5 | 0,0 | 1,0 | 0,5 | 0,0 | -6 |
| Giorgi Bezhanishvili | Georgia / Austria | 3 | 8,6 | 2,0 | 37,5 | 0,0 | 1,7 | 0,3 | 1,3 | 0,0 | 0,3 | 1 |
| Balsa Koprivica | Serbia / USA | 2 | 7,1 | 1,5 | 50,0 | 0,0 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 1,5 | 0,0 | 0,5 | |
| Arnas Velicka | Lithuania | 4 | 5,9 | 0,8 | 33,3 | 0,0 | 0,5 | 0,8 | 1,3 | 0,0 | 0,0 | -7 |
| Alex Antetokounmpo | Greece | 3 | 3,4 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,7 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,3 | 0,0 | 0 |
Photo : Juhann Begarin
Read also … (and these are NOT ads)
—
–
