Rob Dillingham discusses growing confidence throughout NBA Summer League

Rob Dillingham‘s start to the NBA Summer League did not go the way he wanted to in regards to scoring. With the Minnesota Timberwolves rookie scoring four points on 2-for-12 shooting in his debut matchup against New Orleans Pelicans in Las Vegas.

But since then Dillingham has been on a tear, most recently securing his first double-double of the Summer League. Scoring 25 points with 12 assists (both Summer League highs) in a 115-100 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday to help push Minnesota’s Summer League record to 5-1.

During Sunday’s game, Dillingham was asked about his recent performances for the Timberwolves. Speaking specifically about what has made him so confident heading into his first NBA season and why he feels like he belongs.

“Really just the work,” Dillingham said. “We got a bunch of other games that didn’t go right for me. So I gotta keep coming out here with confidence and keep doing it because I know what I do. So really just really teammates helping me and my coaches.”

Even in Dillingham’s four-point Summer League outing, he managed to contribute with five rebounds and five assists. Averaging 12.8 points per game through five Summer League games along with 7.6 assists per game to lead Minnesota’s roster in assists and show that he’s more than just a prolific scorer, but a playmaker as well.

After averaging 15.2 points per game and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, All-SEC Second Team, and being named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year at Kentucky last season, Dillingham landed a top 10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Selected by the San Antonio Spurs with No. 8 overall pick before immediately being traded to Minnesota for a 2030 protected first-round pick swap and an unprotected first-round pick in 2031.

When it comes to purely scoring the basketball, there weren’t many NBA Draft prospects this year that could rival Dillingham’s prowess. A shifty ball handler with outstanding quickness and the ability to get by defenders and score in a hurry. Impressing during his college career and the NBA Summer League with off the dribble three pointers and impressive flashy passes to teammates that have dazzled crowds and gotten attention on social media.

Dillingham joins a Timberwolves team that was the best defense in the NBA in the regular season, and it will be intriguing to watch him contribute to their offense in particular this upcoming NBA season alongside superstar Anthony Edwards.