NBA Summer League rookie report: Standout performances, disappointing weeks

The ‘regular season’ portion of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has come to a close, with 26 teams on their way to the consolation bracket while four compete for the title starting Sunday.

On the first days of Summer League action, the gyms were packed with fans looking to watch NBA rookies for the first time in their new jersey. Surrounding these young players is a combination of returning talent and hired hands looking to showcase themselves in front of scout across the globe.

For many of these rookies, it is a first chance to compete head-to-head with NBA talent – albeit in a loose and relaxed environment compared to the real thing. After all, this is all about development.

That is why overreactions to Summer League performances good or bad do little to help determine the story of a player’s career. However, teams still want to see a few things: Talent, growth, competition.

Here are some of the 2024 NBA Draft class members who stood out, for better or worse this month.

Standout rookies

All stats via NBA.com

Dalton Knecht
Stats: 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
3 games, 41.8 FG%, 39.1 3P%
After an early Summer League duel with Reed Sheppard, Knecht continued to showcase his offensive game one level up. Beyond the court, he also made headlines by setting some lofty career goals which including becoming the best in the NBA.

Reed Sheppard
Stats: 20 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists
4 games, 50 FG%, 27.8 3P%
Sheppard burst onto the scene in his first game and quickly started a hushed conversation in the crowd about his retroactive credentials to go No. 1 overall. The shooting cooled, but he still found ways to impact the game.

Donovan Clingan
Stats: 9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.1 stocks*
4 games, 35.7 FG%, 23.1 3P%
Clingan’s scoring numbers do not jump off the screen, but he attempted a high volume of 3-pointers on offense between flashes of star-level defense. He leads the Summer League in rebounding by 1.8 per game, and blocked shots by 1.3 over anyone else.

Kel’el Ware
Stats: 21.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.5 stocks*
4 games, 60.5 FG%, 28.6 3P%
Ware has showcased all the physical tools which made him a five-star prospect coming out of high school, along with an increased motor in big moments which has many dreaming about his future if the shot continues to improve.

Tristan Da Silva
Stats: 17.7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
3 games, 60.7 FG%, 58.8 3P%
Da Silva has done exactly what he needed to do in order to secure himself an NBA rotation spot entering his rookie season. The efficiency and versatility has been off the charts throughout the Summer League slate.

Disappointing weeks

Alex Sarr
Stats: 5.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 stocks*
4 games, 19.1 FG%, 11.8 3P%
Averaging the lowest points per game of any first round pick is disappointing on its own, but the shooting numbers make things look far worse. The silver lining for the Wizards can be found in his solid rebounding numbers and defensive impact.

Tidjane Salaun
Stats: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 0.3 assists
3 games, 42.3 FG%, 10 3P%
Promised by many to be the under-the-radar steal, Salaun has also had his struggles early to find consistency. The 3-point shooting lands him on this list, as it simply has not fallen throughout the Summer League.

Pacome Dadiet
Stats: 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
4 games, 33.3 FG%, 13.3 3P%
Dadiet is another French draft prospect who has not made an immediate Summer League impact for whatever reason. His struggles to score and lack of defensive production land him on this section of the list.

DaRon Holmes
Torn Achilles tendon
Forget the fact Holmes was playing well and proving why the Denver Nuggets coveted him. A torn Achilles tendon is just about the most disappointing result any player could have during the Summer League.

Zach Edey
Sprained both ankles
Another addition to the list based on injury, after a promising first performance in Utah, Edey missed most of the Las Vegas Summer League. He returned, only to sprain his other ankle and be shut down by the Grizzlies – a team scarred by the injury-plagued 2023-24 season.

Other rookie performances

Zaccharie Risacher
Stats: 14.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
2 games, 39.3 FG%, 25 3P%

Stephon Castle
Stats: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
1 game, 38.1 FG%, 33.3 3P%

Ron Holland
Stats: 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 stocks*
3 games, 37 FG%, 18.2 3P%

Rob Dillingham
Stats: 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists
4 games, 28.1 FG%, 26.3 3P%

Cody Williams
Stats: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
4 games, 54.8 FG%, 37.5 3P%

Matas Buzelis
Stats: 18 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 stocks*
4 games, 34.7 FG%, 25 3P%

Carlton Carrington
Stats: 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists
4 games, 32.1 FG%, 40.6 3P%

Jared McCain
Stats: 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists
4 games, 31.6 FG%, 25 3P%

Ja’Kobe Walter
Stats: 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1 assist
4 games, 32.1 FG%, 20 3P%

Jaylon Tyson
Stats: 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists
4 games, 51.2 FG%, 30.8 3P%

Yves Missi
Stats: 8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 stocks*
4 games, 46.2 FG%

AJ Johnson
Stats: 14 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists
4 games, 40 FG%, 41.7 3P%

Kyshawn George
Stats: 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
4 games, 48 FG%, 38.9 3P%

Dillon Jones
Stats: 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists
2 games, 37.9 FG%, 20 3P%

Terrence Shannon Jr.
Stats: 13.3 points, 3 rebounds, 2.1 stocks*
4 games, 56.3 FG%, 25 3P%

Isaiah Collier
Stats: 11.8 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 stocks*
4 games, 43.5 FG%, 9.1 3P%

Baylor Scheierman
Stats: 10.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.3 assists
4 games, 38.2 FG%, 29.6 3P%

* Stocks = Steals + Blocks