5 players who saw their stock rise during NBA Summer League

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 07: Jabari Walker #34 of the Portland Trail Blazers brings the ball up the court against the Detroit Pistons during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevad, 5 players who saw their stock rise during NBA Summer League. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

5 players who saw their stock rise during NBA Summer League: 2. Jabari Walker, Portland Trail Blazers

Watford was the Portland Trail Blazers player who took home the most glamorous award of the championship game. Jabari Walker, however, may be the player who improved his stock the most.

Walker was the penultimate pick of the most recent draft, selected at No. 57 out of Colorado. The 19-year-old was a First Team All-Pac 12 player last season but was going to struggle for a roster spot in Rip City, even for a team in flux.

He turned heads in the Summer League, though. In his debut, he hit all five of his shot attempts en route to notching 11 points and seven rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.

The 6-foot-9 forward only looked better from there. He went on to average 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game during the competition. His father was an NBA champion, and Walker proved himself as a Summer League champion, generating buzz as a potential second-round draft steal.

He showed his abilities as both a shooter and a rebounder, hitting nearly half of his 14 three-point attempts over the summer. Meanwhile, Walker sported 21.1 rebound rate. For Walker, the goal of his play over the summer was probably to earn a two-way contract with the franchise. Portland did him one better.

The Blazers gave Walker a standard, three-year contract. It will reportedly pay Walker $4.76 million over the life of the deal, with the first year fully guaranteed and the second year partially guaranteed.

Walker entered the gym in Las Vegas as a prospect. He walked out of the gym with an NBA contract.