2023 NBA Rookies impress in Summer League: A Promising Start
The summer league is an exciting opportunity for NBA rookies to showcase their skills and make their mark in the league. The 2023 NBA rookies have made their presence felt, demonstrating their potential and leaving fans eager for what’s to come. In this post, we highlight the standout performances and noteworthy moments from some of the highly anticipated rookies.
Victor Wembanyama: Struggles in NBA Debut
Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick, had a rough start in his summer league debut. In his game against the Charlotte Hornets, Wembanyama struggled to find his rhythm offensively. Despite recording 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks, his shooting was out of sync, going 2-for-13 from the field and 1-for-6 from three. However, his defensive presence and advanced skill set for a 19-year-old were evident, showcasing glimpses of his potential to impact the game.
In his second game he left no doubt about his massive potential. He started to get in a groove when he hit a long jumper after a sweet crossover. He finished his second and last game of the summer league with 27 points, 12 rebound and 3 blocks on 9-14 from the field. You can’t blame him for his first game with the whirlwind of these last couple of weeks. During the NBA season he’ll always have a routine and more than 6 mins to warm-up before a game.
Amen Thompson and Scoot Henderson: Productive Starts Marred by Injuries
Amen Thompson and Scoot Henderson, the top two point guards from the draft, showcased their skills before unfortunate injuries cut their summer league participation short. Thompson, drafted by the Houston Rockets, impressed with his well-rounded game, recording 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. He even hit a 3 pointer before he sprained his ankle.
Scoot Henderson, drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, demonstrated explosive athleticism and playmaking abilities, finishing with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists before leaving with a shoulder injury. He missed some shots in the second quarter, but in the first you could see how in control he was. He could get anywhere on the floor he wanted. He has zero fear and even got into it with Jabari Smith Jr in the third quarter. He’s going to be an absolute star.
Although their injuries prevented them from further action, their performances generated incredible excitement.
Anthony Black: Stellar Performance on Both Ends
Anthony Black, donning the Orlando Magic jersey, delivered an impressive summer league debut. Standing at 6-foot-7, Black displayed his versatility as a point guard, utilizing his size and strength to dominate on both ends of the floor. He showcased his ability to get to the rim at will. You could see the passing, elite defense and ability to draw fouls on full display with his explosive 12 point fourth quarter. Black’s potential and room for growth give Orlando one more potential star for this up and coming team.
Cason Wallace: A Star Potential Unleashed
Cason Wallace, the No. 10 pick acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a significant impact in his summer league debut. Known for his incredible defensive, Wallace showcased his shooting, contributing 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. His three point shot (6-for-10), exceeded expectations and highlighted his potential as a dynamic combo guard. Cason Wallace will force Oklahoma to find minutes for him.
Brandon Miller: Rough Start
Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick selected by the Charlotte Hornets, is having a rough start to his Vegas Summer League and wasn’t much better in the California Classic Summer League. In Vegas, through 2 games he’s 9 for 33 from the field and 3 for 17 from distance. He hasn’t developed much game outside of his jump shots yet. If his 3 isn’t falling, he isn’t generating fouls and isn’t a strong finisher on his drives yet.
Ausar Thompson: Quiet Debut with Promising Flashes
Ausar Thompson, drafted by the Detroit Pistons, had a relatively quiet debut due to the team’s deep summer league roster. However, Thompson demonstrated glimpses of his potential as a two-way player. His defensive prowess, showcased through shot-blocking, perimeter defense, and rebounding (9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 steal) has been solid. He would be better off, if he got to play with the ball in his hands more often and could pick his opportunities to attack. Right now, with several NBA starters on his summer league team, he’s definitely forcing it when he gets his rare chance to try and score.
Keyonte George: On Fire!
Keyonte has been the story of the summer league outside of Wemby. He’s been on fire and showing that athleticism he had in high school after losing some of the weight he gained in college. It looks like Utah might already have found their replacement for Donovan Mitchell if this keeps up.
Jarace Walker: Promising Despite Shooting Struggles
Walker demonstrated his defensive prowess, contributing rebounds, steals, and blocks while displaying his athleticism and energy his first game. In his second game against Orlando, he shot better from the field, but still struggled from 3.
Bilal Coulibaly: Slow Start, Great Potential
Bilal Coulibaly, initially selected by the Indiana Pacers but traded to the Washington Wizards, faced off against the Pacers in his first game. He was definitely raw and missed shots, but he showed flashes of his huge potential.
The summer league serves as an early glimpse into the NBA careers of these talented rookies. While their performances in these games are not definitive indicators of their future success, they have shown promising skills, potential, and room for growth. As the rookies continue their development and transition into the NBA, I look forward to seeing how they develop in the NBA.