New Taipan McCall strikes: NBLxNBA Summer League Day Five Recap

New Cairns Taipans import Tahjere McCall gave NBL fans a glimpse of what he will provide in NBL22 with a strong performance in today’s NBA Summer League action.

McCall posted 12 points, while hitting all three of his three-point attempts, as his Orlando Magic fell to the Boston Celtics 108-71.

The 26-year-old won the 2021 NBA G-League Championship with the Lakeland Magic and has previously had an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks and a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tahjere&#39;s 12 points were a game-high for the Magic and included a perfect 3 from 3 from 3 ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/xgbhmqPbMf">pic.twitter.com/xgbhmqPbMf</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1426055563171950595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former NBL Next Star RJ Hampton struggled for the Magic as he finished with three points and three rebounds.

Fresh off inking a deal with the Indiana Pacers, former South East Melbourne Phoenix import Keifer Sykes had his best day at the Summer League on Friday.

Sykes brought his usual energy to the court and also added nine points and four rebounds. Former Brisbane Bullet BJ Johnson also made a positive contribution to Indiana’s win with 11 points and six rebounds.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>Keifer Sykes (<a href="https://twitter.com/ksykesyb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ksykesyb</a>) got his first start with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pacers</a> today and finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in their win over the Blazers ?<br><br>Catch NBA Summer League action from Vegas on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/810fVhR06t">pic.twitter.com/810fVhR06t</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1426022932652777479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former NBL Next Star Brian Bowen Jr scored nine points and pulled down five rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their 78-59 win over the Damian Cotter led Chicago Bulls.  

NBL21 Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon had two points, five rebounds, three blocks and two assists for the Phoenix Suns in their win over the Denver Nuggets.

South East Melbourne big man Zach Hankins recorded a DNP for the Suns.