The Las Vegas Summer League is for many young players their first opportunity to really impress their new coaches and test themselves against professionals from all over the globe. This year, 21 teams made their way to Las Vegas and for many it was their first chance to coach rookies who they recently selected in the 2013 NBA Draft. While summer league is by no means a sure way to project how successful a player will be in the NBA, it still provides an important first look into how these young players will adjust to the jump in competition and prove how ready they are to contribute in their rookie season. With the playoffs now under way, here are some of the most outstanding rookies from this year’s Las Vegas Summer League.
C.J. McCollum leads all players in scoring in the Las Vegas Summer League. (Photo Credit/fanaticmg/flickr.com)
C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
Coming into the 2013 NBA Draft, C.J. McCollum was viewed as perhaps the most gifted scorer in the class and he has wasted no time aiming to prove that in Summer League. The Portland rookie leads all players in Las Vegas with an outstanding 21 points per game and while his efficiency is low, shooting just .366, McCollum is showing his ability to create his own shot as well as a comfort shooting the ball from beyond the NBA 3-point line. McCollum scored a game-high 27 points in Tuesday’s 80-78 loss to the Chicago Bulls, going 10-for-13 from the free-throw line, showing his aggressiveness attacking the paint. Far from a one-trick pony, McCollum has been solid across the board, averaging four rebounds, 3.4 assists and a steal in his five summer league appearances.
Dennis Schroeder, Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks’ rookie point guard Dennis Schroeder has become one of the must-watch prospects with his play in Las Vegas, showing all the playmaking and defensive potential that made him one of the most polarizing figures in the draft. Schroeder is second among all players in Vegas, averaging 5.8 assists in his four games thus far to go along with 9.8 points and two steals. Schroeder filled up the stat sheet in Sunday’s win against the Miami Heat with nine points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals. He has been tremendous defensively, using his speed and length to pressure opposing point guards and is forcing a number of turnovers in each game.
Cody Zeller has been one of the best big men in Las Vegas (Photo Credit/msflaster/flickr.com)
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats
After a somewhat quiet debut, Charlotte big man Cody Zeller has been among the most outstanding players in Las Vegas, displaying efficient scoring and impressing consistently on the glass. Over his four games thus far, Zeller is averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game on tremendous .520 shooting. In his past three games, all victories for the Bobcats, Zeller has averaged more than 10 rebounds and is just shy of scoring 20 points per game. On Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks he scored 21 points, pulled down 13 rebounds while shooting .500 and shot 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Zeller appears to be one of the most NBA-ready big men in the draft and his consistency this early is a great sign.
Jack Cooley, Memphis Grizzlies
One rookie who has been just as impressive and consistent as Zeller is Memphis’ undrafted free agent Jack Cooley, who has surprisingly been one of the best players here in Vegas and has clearly been his team’s most reliable player both offensively and on the glass. In his five games, Cooley has averaged 15.4 points to go with 9.6 rebounds, while doing so on outstanding .548 shooting. Cooley has endeared himself to his coaches with his hard work and tough play in the paint, showing he can compete with NBA-caliber athletes, pulling down double-digit rebounds in three games. He was outstanding in his team’s victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday with 20 points and 12 rebounds as he shot 9-of-14 from the field. Cooley is doing everything he possibly can to earn a roster spot in the 2013-14 NBA season after being overlooked on draft night.
Deshaun Thomas, San Antonio Spurs
Deshaun Thomas had to wait a long time to hear his name called on draft night but the 58th overall pick has wasted no time trying to prove his doubters wrong with a number of impressive performances for the Spurs in Las Vegas. Showing his impressive scoring ability, Thomas has been scoring in a number of ways, comfortably making a number of 3-pointers while also attacking the paint inside. Playing primarily as a power forward so far, Thomas has averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in four games. He put up 16 points and eight rebounds in the team’s loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Thomas has showed the potential in Summer League to be a second-round steal for the Spurs.
Reggie Bullock has been one of the top performing rookies in Las Vegas.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Roza Arzola/Released)
Reggie Bullock, Los Angeles Clippers
While Reggie Bullock may spend his first few seasons in the NBA as a 3-point shooting, defensive role player alongside the stars in Los Angeles, summer league has provided him the perfect opportunity to show what he can do offensively with a high volume of shots. Bullock has been one of summer league’s most consistent scorers, averaging 17 points per game and knocking down eight 3-pointers in his four games thus far. Bullock led the team Wednesday with 20 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Bullock is showing the potential to be much more than just a spot-up shooter if given the opportunity and has also chipped in with 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Such an impressive start to his Clippers career could see him contributing to the team sooner rather then later.
Ray McCallum, Sacramento Kings
The Kings’ second round selection, Ray McCallum has shown his natural scoring ability from the point guard position and displays natural leadership qualities while running the summer league team. McCallum has relentlessly attacked the paint, going to the line 30 times in just four games, helping towards a solid 12.8 point per game average. He exploded against the Golden State Warriors with 23 points and six steals, showing his effort defensively. More than just a scorer, McCallum has contributed with 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The Kings look to have found a solid backup scoring guard with the 36 pick and McCallum looks ready to contribute from the get-go.