By The Numbers: Summer League Wrap

Friday, July 21, 2023

All the numbers from a huge week and a half at the NBA's Summer League.

The dust is now settling on what was an incredibly hectic NBA Summer League - for all involved.

There was plenty of past and present NBL talent on display at the showcase event in Las Vegas, as well as Boomers hopefuls and Australian internationals.

Now the tournament is done and dusted - and Luke Travers is back in Australia with a Summer League medal in his pocket - NBL Media summarises the performances of every NBL-affiliated name to have appeared at the tournament.

Luke Travers – Cleveland Cavaliers
6 games | 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.2 blocks per game

Dean Vickerman may have revealed Cleveland wants Travers to continue to elevate his game in the NBL this season, but his performances at Summer League showed he certainly has the potential to play for Cleveland’s NBA side one day.

The rangy forward saved his best performance for the semi-final overtime win over Brooklyn, where he registered 11 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a stellar all-around performance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Check in with Aussie <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> after his successful <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2KSummerLeague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2KSummerLeague</a> with the <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cavs</a> <a href="https://t.co/5vhKQ1lTmr">pic.twitter.com/5vhKQ1lTmr</a></p>— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA_AU/status/1681842625551167488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Xavier Cooks - Washington Wizards
2 games | 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 assists

The reigning NBL MVP took his talents to Summer League following a handful of NBA appearances last season, and quickly showed his NBA-level skillset and physicality.

Cooks participated in Washington's first two games of the tournament and, after shaking off some off-season cobwebs, was put on ice for the rest of the week to save himself for the season proper with the Wizards.

Jaylin Galloway – Minnesota Timberwolves
2 games | 1 point, 1 assist per game

The Sydney young gun experienced incredibly limited court-time in his first ever Summer League, but the 20-year-old NBL champion will be better for the experience, and is expected to compete for a starting position on the current Kings roster.

DJ Hogg – Toronto Raptors
4 games | 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game

The former Taipan turned King linked up with Toronto and scored the Raptors’ first points of the tournament with a corner three.

His top performance came against eventual semi-finalists Brooklyn, where he registered 13 points and four assists.

Keanu Pinder – Phoenix Suns
DNP

The NBL’s reigning back-to-back Most Improved Player unfortunately did not feature during the Summer League, due to a niggling back injury picked up in the Suns’ training camp.

Sam Waardenburg – Minnesota Timberwolves
1 game | 2 points, 1 rebound per game

The NBL’s inaugural Next Generation Award winner saw his Summer League restricted by a lingering knee issue, although the Kiwi big did make one appearance and hit a pair of free throws against the Sacramento Kings.

Justin Robinson – Charlotte Hornets
4 games | 6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game

Robinson headed to the California Classic with Charlotte prior to the Vegas portion of Summer League, in what represented his first games back in full action since injuring his knee in Round 1 of NBL23.

At 25 he was one of the older faces in the Hornets group, and previously mentioned he was excited to pass some of his knowledge onto the team’s newest draftees.

Hyunjung Lee – Philadelphia 76ers
1 game | 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist per game

The South Korean sharpshooter officially signed for Illawarra mid-way through the Summer League – and just in time for his sole appearance in the tournament.

Lee is one of the most efficient shooters in the history of Davidson college – where Steph Curry also attended – and showcased his long-range prowess Philadelphia’s clash with New Orleans

Brian Bowen II – Minnesota Timberwolves
5 games | 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game

The Sydney Kings’ first ever Next Star linked up with current King Jaylin Galloway at the Timberwolves, and appeared in all five of the team’s games. The 24-year-old most recently represented Minnesota’s NBA G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.

Rayan Rupert – Portland Trail Blazers
5 games | 3.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game

New Zealand’s NBL23 Next Star suited up alongside number three draft pick Scoot Henderson for Portland, and impressed with his length and defensive versatility in his first appearances in a Trail Blazers jersey – skills Breakers fans have become well-accustomed to.

His top performance came against the Orlando Magic, where he pulled down 12 rebounds in a dominant win.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From France to the Association!<br><br>?? Rayan Rupert<br>?? Victor Wembanyama<br>?? Bilal Coulibaly <a href="https://t.co/uOnt7SB42j">pic.twitter.com/uOnt7SB42j</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1679544984230567936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kai Sotto – Orlando Magic
2 games | 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks per game

The Filipino hero appeared in Orlando’s final two games of the competition, and demonstrated his rim-protecting abilities against Duop Reath and the Portland Trail Blazers, where he finished with three blocks in just 13 minutes of action.

Ousmane Dieng – Oklahoma City Thunder
4 games | 15 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5 assists per game

The NBL22 Next Star looked a class above most of his opposition in both Las Vegas and the California Classic, and his experiences from his rookie year in the NBA shone through as he contributed strongly to an intimidating Oklahoma City side.

Dieng looks to have added more offensive punch to his impressive arsenal of defensive abilities, and if his Summer League showings are anything to go by, he looms as one to watch in the upcoming season.

Dejan Vasiljevic – Washington Wizards
3 games | 7.3 points, 2 rebounds, 0.7 assists per game

Two-time NBL champion DJ Vasiljevic was made to wait for his Summer League opportunity, and when it came he grabbed it with both hands.

He didn’t touch the floor in either of the Wizards’ first two games, but exploded to score 14 points in just 11 minutes against Oklahoma City.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Dejan Vasiljevic is up to 14 points ? <a href="https://t.co/dkRiqTYB1T">pic.twitter.com/dkRiqTYB1T</a></p>— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1679976544566136832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Duop Reath – Portland Trail Blazers
5 games | 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks per game

The former Illawarra Hawk may have played himself into an NBA contract with his performances for Portland. Despite NBL fans’ knowledge of his abilities, Duop Reath was one of the pleasant surprises of this year’s Summer League.

His ability to dominate the competition in Las Vegas has also only added to Brian Goorjian’s selection headache for the upcoming World Cup, as Reath contends with a loaded frontcourt as he looks to add another major medal to his collection.

Mojave King – Indiana Pacers
5 games | 4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1 assist per game

The two-year NBL Next Star was something of a bolter at the recent NBA Draft, and earned his first minutes in an NBA uniform, as part of the Indiana Pacers.

The young slasher looks likely to head away from America in order to work on his game before returning to Indiana – could an NBL return be on the cards?

Makur Maker – Philadelphia 76ers
3 games | 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds per game

Makur Maker spent last season with the Washington Wizards G-League affiliate, Capital City, and the maturity and extra year in the pros has added to his game at Summer League was obvious.

The former King's best performance came when he added six points and six rebounds in just 11 minutes against the Clippers.

Barry Brown Jr – Phoenix Suns
4 games | 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game

NBL23’s Sixth Man of the Year showcased his scoring prowess as a veteran member of the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns struggled to just two wins from their five games, but Brown Jr started and top scored with 14 points in their victory over Miami.

Dyson Daniels – New Orleans Pelicans
5 games | 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks per game

The Boomers representative starred for New Orleans in the Summer League, and looks primed to expand on his role within the Pelicans’ system from his rookie year.

Daniels’ defensive weapons were on full show as he finished the tournament with at least three blocks and/or steals in four of his five games.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dyson Daniels follow-up putback dunk ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2KSummerLeague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2KSummerLeague</a> on NBA TV<br>? <a href="https://t.co/1vi3UqGwwk">https://t.co/1vi3UqGwwk</a> <a href="https://t.co/6gDsExqXZm">pic.twitter.com/6gDsExqXZm</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1680671742551785472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hugo Besson – Milwaukee Bucks
DNP

The former Breakers import didn’t hit the court after being drafted by Milwaukee with the final pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Brady Manek – Atlanta Hawks
4 games | 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists

Brady Manek started the Summer League with a bang while playing for Atlanta, with the NBL23 Wildcat hitting five threes in his first appearance of the tournament.

He might not have hit the dizzying heights of his opening performance for the rest of the tournament, but Manek’s full range of offensive talents were on display for each of his four appearances for the Hawks.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brady Manek with his 5th triple of the night! ? <a href="https://t.co/pGMabfxSns">pic.twitter.com/pGMabfxSns</a></p>— NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1677533921528127490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Craig Randall II – Milwaukee Bucks
5 games | 8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game

The former Adelaide scoring threat suiting up for Milwaukee after spending the second half of last season for G-League side Iowa.

He appeared in each of the Bucks’ five games for the tournament, but received limited burn and opportunity.

Keifer Sykes – Detroit Pistons
4 games | 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game

The NBL21 Phoenix import has played 32 NBA games since departing the NBL and provided a veteran presence on a Detroit side featuring young guns Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.