The NBA Summer League action heated up in Las Vegas on Saturday, featuring notable performances from recent draft picks and young rising stars. Former UConn teammates faced off, showcasing their skills in a thrilling matchup, while the Knicks’ second-round pick made a strong impression. Here are some key takeaways from an eventful day on the court:
Jaime Jaquez Jr. stuffed the stat sheet in the @MiamiHEAT‘s first #NBA2KSummerLeague win!
🔥 29 PTS
🔥 11 REB
🔥 5 AST
🔥 1 STL pic.twitter.com/HNNgjuoCI1— NBA (@NBA) July 14, 2024
Jaquez and Miller Prove Their Worth
Brandon Miller and Jaime Jaquez Jr., both All-Rookie First Team selections last season, continued to display their dominance. Fresh off participating in USA Basketball’s Select Team training camp, they showed they might be too advanced for Summer League competition.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. stood out, scoring 29 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out five assists on an efficient 10-of-18 shooting, leading the Miami Heat to victory over the Boston Celtics. Given his performance, it’s likely Jaquez will only play one more game in Vegas.
Brandon Miller also impressed with 23 points and eight rebounds, though he struggled with turnovers, committing seven in the Charlotte Hornets’ win against the New York Knicks. Despite the miscues, Hornets’ new head coach Charles Lee emphasized the team’s work ethic: “Part of the whole Hornets culture is that guys are going to work. Nobody is above anything.” Expect Miller to see limited action moving forward as well.
Charlotte’s young star Brandon Miller was a BUCKET in the @hornets‘ #NBA2KSummerLeague win over the Knicks! 🐝
23 PTS | 8 REB | 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/PhiIA1W4hF
— NBA (@NBA) July 14, 2024
UConn Teammates Turned Rivals
Former UConn stars Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan went head-to-head, transitioning from teammates to opponents. Castle, now with the San Antonio Spurs, led his team to a narrow victory over Clingan’s Portland Trail Blazers.
Castle finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Despite a scary moment late in the game where he took a hard fall and appeared to favour his wrist, Castle remained on the court and secured the win, earning early bragging rights over his former teammate.
Knicks’ Second-Round Pick Impresses
In addition to the marquee matchups, the New York Knicks’ second-round pick showed potential. Though specifics about his performance were not detailed, the young player’s impact was noted among the standout performances of the day.
Conclusion
The NBA Summer League continues to be a platform for young talent to shine and for established players to further demonstrate their abilities. With standout performances from both seasoned rookies and new draft picks, fans have much to look forward to as the league’s future stars make their mark.
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