The NBA Last Vegas Summer League is many things: a fan convention for die-hard fans, an extended tryout for promising players, and a great basketball oasis during the hot offseason. But above all else, the NBA Summer League is the debut grounds for the league’s rookies and an opportunity to make a first impression.
Summer League performances, regardless of their quality, should not be trusted too much. We’ve seen players who struggle in Summer League go on to have great careers. There are plenty of examples of players who flourished in Las Vegas but failed to make a real mark in the NBA. It’s not because Alex Sarr had a terrible offensive performance in Summer League that his career is doomed. Matt Morgan Josh Christopher is not destined to be an All-NBA player.
The 2024 NBA Draft class was never the most exciting, but it was still fun to watch these rookies play in a new environment with a new team. Let’s rank the most impressive rookies from this year’s summer league. This list prioritizes younger rookies playing against older competition (sorry Isaiah Stevens, who had a great time with the Heat). It also doesn’t include Zachary Lizacher or Zach Eddy due to lack of playing time.
10. Rob Dillingham, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
Dillingham struggled to score efficiently in Las Vegas, but he still displayed the scoring and playmaking that made him such an attractive player for the Timberwolves. The diminutive 19-year-old guard is a constant threat to opposing defenses with his shooting ability, both with and without the ball. He made a very difficult pull-up three. Playing for Las Vegas, he has a great feel for moving off the ball behind the 3-point line. With opposing defenses having to focus on Dillingham’s shot, it opens up a lot of avenues for his playmaking. He has great vision as a lead guard, Skip to corner, Lob the ball to an athletic forwardDillingham’s true shooting percentage of 42.6 percent in Summer League was very disappointing, but considering most of Las Vegas’ rookies struggled with efficiency (Dalton Knecht was just a 48.6 percent true shooter as a 23-year-old), Dillingham’s flashes of brilliance were enough to earn him a spot on the list.
9. Ron Holland, F, Detroit Pistons
Ron Holland put up numbers in Las Vegas, but he didn’t put them up efficiently. That’s been the story of his young career so far. The No. 5 overall pick averaged 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, over one steal and over one block per game, but he did so on just a 47% true shooting percentage. It’s clear that Holland is still a long way from being a finished product, but the fact that he can still make a big impact, despite so much of his skill set being so easily accessible, is an encouraging sign. Holland is a relentless offensive and agile playmaker on the defensive end, and a breathtaking athlete in the open court. He’s still figuring out how to pick his spot, but as one of the youngest players in this year’s summer league (he turned 19 in July), his production is undeniably impressive.
8. Jaylon Tyson, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Tyson was expected to come into the summer league as a 21-year-old coming off three productive college seasons, but he still exceeded expectations. The 6’6″ wing averaged 15.4 points, 7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting a stellar 68.4% from the field, above the 50/40/90 mark.
Tyson may not be the biggest wing or the most explosive athlete, but his combination of skill, feel and poise make him primetime ready the minute he steps foot in the NBA. Tyson’s tight ball handling allows him to probe defenses, and his three-level scoring ability makes him a threat anywhere on the court. He also does a great job of keeping his head up and knowing where his open teammates are and making plays. A veteran college player with such a well-rounded skill set would be a great addition to a Cavs roster that is uncertain long term.
7. Bub Carrington, G, Washington Wizards
While he’s still far from his theoretical ceiling, it’s easy to see the potential for Carrington to be a star. The 6’5″ guard has flashed some star potential despite being one of the youngest players in this draft class after turning 19 midway through Summer League. Carrington is at his best when firing off a barrage of pull-up jump shots, and he has great range and skill at mastering his shooting mechanics. He’s still figuring out his floor game, but he also shows good passing vision when he’s patient enough to let the play unfold. Carrington’s ability to allow Alex Sarr to score with ease in Washington will be the best test of his long-term development, but for now, it’s his flashiness when it comes to making shots and his ability to play at pace that will keep Wizards fans intrigued.
6. Stephen Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs
Castle only played three games in the summer league between the California Classic and Las Vegas, but he still showed why the Spurs had no qualms about selecting him fourth overall. The 19-year-old Castle is a sturdy guard at 6’6, 215 pounds, and his large size allows him to play physical on both ends of the ball. Castle is a very inconsistent shooter at the moment, making just 4-of-16 three-pointers in the summer league, but he has a lot of other upsides. He’s a well-rounded defender, has improved downhill drives, and is the type of player who can win contested rebounds and 50/50 balls. Fixing his jump shot is still a big challenge, but once he does, Castle has the makings to be a great addition to Victor Wembanyama’s team.
5. Donovan Clingan, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Donovan Clingan showed off a great two-way sequence to close out the first half, first defending perfectly in a one-on-two situation to field a lob pass, then racing down the court to intercept the ball-handler and smash the lob pass himself into the basket. Here’s what he said at the end of the first half:
11 points (5-9)
8 rebounds
5 blocks
1 stl pic.twitter.com/TzZSWm7NEf— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) July 20, 2024
Clingan’s defense was as great as advertised in Las Vegas, leading all eligible rookies with 4.25 blocks and 12.3 rebounds per game. He was great to watch. Block a Bub Carrington 3-point shot on the Islandand Alex Sarr gets up on a roll to the rimClingan’s offense is unrefined, but it’s good to see him push the boundaries of his skills in a summer league-like environment. Clingan struggled at times to finish around the basket — how does a guy that big finish with a 40.3% shooting percentage? But he also showed a new willingness to spread the floor. After attempting just nine 3-pointers in 74 games at Connecticut, Clingan took 13 3-pointers (three of which were made) in four games in Las Vegas, and it’s clear that Clingan is a big player. If you can secure the runway, you can attack the rim with force.He’ll need to do that with more consistency over the long term to become a complete player, but his defense already looks good.
4. Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls
Buzelis was a lottery pick due to his 6-foot-10 height and potential to play on the perimeter offensively, but he has also proven in Summer League that he can make an impact with his energy and drive while his skill set is developing. The Bulls’ No. 11 pick attacked the rim at every opportunity in Las Vegas, slamming down multiple big dunks every game. He’s a good ball-handler for his size, and if he has the physical strength to play through contact, he’ll be more effective attacking off the dribble. In addition to developing physical strength, Buzelis’ other big swing skill is his jump shot. He showed he still has a long way to go, as he made just 6 of 28 three-point attempts in Las Vegas, but his willingness to shoot from long distance is encouraging. While Buzelis’ offensive prowess has always been his biggest draw, his defense has already been impressive as well. He averaged two blocks and two steals per game in five Summer League games, showing he is very capable of recovering and forcing takeaways. The 19-year-old will likely struggle with his scoring efficiency as a rookie, but his high-caliber motor should allow him to thrive even as his size and shooting stroke develop.
3. Tristan da Silva, forward, Orlando Magic
Da Silva should have been Summer League ready as a 23-year-old rookie, but he played well in three games in Las Vegas. The 18th overall pick averaged 17.6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting an astounding 82.9% from the field. He scored 53 points on just 28 field goal attempts. The 6-foot-8 forward has a combination of skill and feel rarely found in someone his size. Da Silva could easily be repurposed as a floor spacer with a plus 3-point shot, but there’s more to his game than that. He’s a skilled inside scorer, a good passer and a rebounder. Da Silva’s athleticism is somewhat limited, but his shooting ability will be a great asset in Orlando’s tight half-court attack.
2. Kelel Ware, C, Miami Heat
A center with Kelel Ware’s size (7’1”) and athleticism shouldn’t slip out of the lottery in a good draft. Somehow, the Indiana sophomore fell to 15th in a weak 2024 class, but that will ultimately be great for his development. If there’s any franchise that can jumpstart Ware’s shaky engine, it’s Miami. Ware can sometimes look more passive on the court than his coaches would like, but there’s talent here that can’t be ignored. Ware has a commanding physical presence and can get up off the floor quickly and dunk. When he stays in his range in drop coverage, he’s a bona fide rim protector on the backline. He also has the chance to shoot from long range on a regular basis, but that part didn’t seem ready for him in Las Vegas yet. Still, Ware is a big, athletic play finisher who adds vertical space and shot blocking instantly. With the Heat’s development staff at the helm, the young center has everything he needs to reach his full potential.
1. Reed Shepard, G, Houston Rockets
Shepard was considered the best shooter in the draft, but his performance in summer league showed just how good he is even when his jump shot isn’t falling. The No. 3 overall pick shot 52 percent from 3-point range in college, but just 28 percent from 3-point range this year. But he made a big impact with his defensive playmaking, passing aggression and improving driving ability. Shepard’s jump shot instills fear in opponents, which unlocks the rest of his game. He made a decisive pass read. He’s played well throughout his time in Las Vegas, and Houston has a ton of big-time athletes when his rookie season begins. Shepard’s lack of size and athleticism will become more apparent when he plays against the best players in the world, but he can definitely shoot at an elite level. The Rockets should be very comfortable with how he fits in with the rest of their talented young core.
