BBNBA: Nick Richards continues to thrive; SKJ shows out for Lakers

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On3 image — Photo by Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

NBA Las Vegas Summer League is in full swing now after a weekend full of action. If you haven’t heard by now, 14 former Kentucky Wildcats across all 30 franchises are suiting up in order to earn a spot on an NBA roster. The final summer league event of the season began on July 7 and runs through July 17 with the final two days acting as a tournament.

On Sunday, a total of nine one-time ‘Cats took the floor in Sin City where a couple of them made significant impacts for their teams. Let’s dive right in.

Nick Richards earning his guaranteed contract

For players such as Nick Richards, someone who has already spent two seasons in the NBA playing a very minor role, Summer League can be a pivotal point in their young career. It’s the perfect opportunity to prove that he’s above and beyond the competition and worthy of a larger role with the big boys moving forward. So far, Richards has been playing well above the opposing talent level.

Against the Los Angeles Lakers and former Wildcat Sacha Killeya-Jones (who will talk about in a moment), Richards looked the part of a steady backup big in the NBA. The 6-foot-11 center finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and three blocks in 26 minutes of action. He shot 5-8 from the floor and a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line. Richards did turn the ball over five times, but played comfortably and looks ready for the next step in year three (Junior Year Nick Richards, anyone??). He’s proving to the Charlotte front office that he’s worthy of them guaranteeing his $1.8 million deal for the 2022-23 season.

That's a no for @iamnickrichards 😈 pic.twitter.com/vlOdxWbHwT
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 11, 2022

As for Killeya-Jones, he held his own against Richards and the Hornets. The 6-foot-11, 23-year-old posted eight points, seven rebounds, two rebounds, one steal, and four blocks in 25 minutes. SKJ has yet to find a home in the NBA since going undrafted in 2019 but looked much better in his second game on Sunday than he did in his debut on Friday.

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Sacha Killeya-Jones gets the @Lakers started off a lob from Scotty Pippen. Jr! pic.twitter.com/rp3xaquOTf
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2022

Isaiah Jackson is still throwing down lobs

Coming off a solid rookie season with the Indiana Pacers, Isaiah Jackson is another classic example of a former first-round pick looking to overpower the competition. While he hasn’t shot all the well through his first two games (a combined 6-17 from the floor), he’s been hauling in plenty of rebounds, blocking shots, and running the floor with his typical superhuman athleticism.

Isaiah Jackson throws it DOWN off the Benn Mathurin lob pic.twitter.com/YpSTWiQA4O
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2022

Mintz, Grady looking to find their footing

After going undrafted in June, a pair of Kentucky Wildcats from a season ago, Davion Mintz and Kellan Grady, are looking to find their footing in Vegas. On Sunday, Mintz recorded five points and one turnover on 2-3 shooting in six minutes for the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, Grady added three points on 1-3 shooting from distance to go along with one board and one assist in 10 minutes for the Denver Nuggets.

Mintz did not play in the Wizards’ first game of Summer League on Saturday and was limited on Sunday. Hopefully he can get a longer leash when Washington plays next on Wednesday. As for Grady, his performance on Sunday was a step down from what he did on Friday. The former Davidson graduate dropped nine points on 12 shots in 24 minutes on Friday but saw his minutes sliced drastically on Sunday.

Check out the rest of the stats from Sunday’s games below, along with a preview of what’s to come on Monday night.

Sunday Statistics

PLAYER	RESULT	PTS	FG (3PT)	FT	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	MIN
Nick Richards (CHA)	89-86 W vs. LAL	14	5-8	4-4	9	1	0	3	5	26
Sacha Killeya-Jones (LAL)	86-89 L vs. CHA	8	4-9 (0-1)	0-2	7	2	1	4	0	25
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	103-96 L vs. SAC	7	3-7 (0-0)	1-2	9	1	0	2	2	26
Kahlil Whitney (MIN)	63-70 L vs. MEM	6	2-3 (0-1)	2-2	2	0	2	0	3	15
Davion Mintz (WAS)	97-72 W vs. PHX	5	2-3 (1-2)	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	6
Olivier Sarr (PHX)	72-97 L vs. WAS	4	2-3	0-0	4	0	0	2	2	16
Kellan Grady (DEN)	84-76 W vs. CLE	3	1-3 (1-3)	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	10
Ashton Hagans (CLE)	76-84 L vs. DEN	1	0-4 (0-1)	1-1	2	0	2	0	3	13
Nate Sestina (SAC)	103-96 W vs. IND	0	0-1 (0-1)	0-0	2	1	0	0	2	13