Last monday NBA Summer League concluded, a pre-season tournament that brings together rookies and players with less than three years in the league. The champion ended up being the Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated the Houston Rockets with a score of 99-78.
The rookie who will have the eyes of the whole world on him participated in this Summer League, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. However, there were other players who stood out in this competition for rookies.
Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
The Rockets forward was one of the most outstanding in the championship, helped his team reach the final and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. He averaged 19.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Whitmore was chosen in the 20th pick of the NBA draft, although he was expected to be in the top 10.
Houston Rockets player Cam Whitmore / Getty Images
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
George was one of the most explosive players in the championship. He averaged 21.7 points and 6.3 assists per game. In addition to a 44% triple percentage, the best percentage among those selected in the 2023 draft, of which George was the 16th pick.
Hunter Tyson, Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets selected Tyson in the second round, however he left a performance in this Summer League as a true first pick. With an overwhelming rhythm Tyson averaged 20.8 points and 3.6 triples per game, with a 40% success rate on three-pointers.
Hunter Tyson / Getty Images
Patience with Victor Wembanyama
The number one pick in the NBA draft had a rather weak debut in the Summer League, only 9 points with 2 of 13 from the field. However, the pressure was already taken off and in the second preseason game he was able to stand out with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
Wemby, as he is often nicknamed, is destined to be one of the best rookies in recent years in the NBA, but the Frenchman will have to be very patient, as he has the ability to stand out in the league as long as he can take the pressure off game by game.
Didn’t give what was expected
Although it is too soon to label disappointment, the name of Kobe Bufkin looked set to give more in this Summer League. The performance of 4 out of 29 from the field (13%) is not usual for him, much less added to the 4.6 turnovers per game he had in the tournament.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Bufkin in the first round with the 15th pick, thanks to his average of 14 points, 3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in US college basketball.
On October 24, 2023, the new NBA season will begin, where surely several of these rookies will dazzle with their respective teams and will seek to earn a place in the starting five.
Keep reading:
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· Ja Morant admitted to having assaulted a minor
2023-07-19 20:04:15
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