The NBA Summer League Scores may not determine an entire season’s outcome, but they serve as a great preview for the upcoming year. From rookies making their debut to veterans looking to make a comeback, the summer league is where dreams can be made or broken. In this blog post, we’ll break down the top performances of the 2021 NBA Summer League Scores and analyze what we can expect from these players come regular season time. So grab some popcorn and get ready to relive some of the best moments from one of basketball’s most exciting events!
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson was the top performer in the NBA Summer League scores, averaging over 28 points per game. He also averaged 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Williamson was the only player in the Summer League to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Summer League.
RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, had a strong showing in his first Summer League game. The New York Knicks rookie scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, including 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range, to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 31 minutes of play.
Barrett showed an ability to score from all three levels and was a consistent threat throughout the game. He was especially effective in transition, using his speed and athleticism to get to the rim and finish above the rim. Additionally, Barrett displayed good vision and passing ability, finding open teammates for easy baskets on several occasions.
Overall, it was a solid debut for Barrett that will surely excite Knicks fans for the future. If he can continue to play at this level, Barrett has a chance to be a special player in the NBA.
Ja Morant
Ja Morant, the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, had a strong showing in the NBA Summer League. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, shooting 47.4% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. Morant was especially impressive in the Memphis Grizzlies’ final game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing with 27 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Morant’s performance in the Summer League has been a bright spot for the Grizzlies amid a difficult offseason. The team lost star centre Marc Gasol to trade rumours and then saw franchise cornerstone Mike Conley Jr. get traded away on draft night. With Conley gone, Morant will have a chance to step into a larger role with the team next season, and he looks poised to make an impact right away.
Tyler Herro
Tyler Herro put on a show in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21.2 points per game while shooting an incredible 52.9 per cent from three-point range. He also chipped in 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, showing he is much more than just a scorer.
Herro was especially impressive in the final game of the Summer League, scoring 37 points on 12-of-17 shooting to lead the Miami Heat to a victory. He showed off his complete offensive skillset in that game, hitting five threes, getting to the rim for easy buckets and even dishing out seven assists.
There is no doubt that Tyler Herro is one of the most talented young players in the NBA and has all the potential to be a future All-Star. The only question is how much playing time he will get during his rookie season with the Miami Heat.
Kendrick Nunn
Kendrick Nunn entered the NBA Summer League as an unknown commodity and quickly made a name for himself. The undrafted rookie out of Oakland University put up big numbers in Las Vegas, averaging 21.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He shot 48.1 per cent from the field and 42.9 per cent from three-point range, looking every bit like an NBA player.
Nunn was especially impressive in the Chicago Bulls’ final game of the Summer League, scoring 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting to go along with five rebounds and four assists. He showed a nice mix of scoring ability, shooting touch and playmaking ability, and he looks like he could be a steal for the Bulls after going undrafted.
Coby White
Coby White was one of the most impressive players in the NBA Summer League, averaging 19.0 points and 3.7 assists per game. The Bulls rookie shot an efficient 45.5 per cent from the field and 41.2 per cent from three-point range, displaying the scoring ability that made him a lottery pick in this year’s draft. White also showed flashes of playmaking ability, dishing out nine assists in one game and running the Bulls’ offense effectively.
Overall, White was one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA Summer League and it looks like he has a bright future ahead of him in the league.
Other Notable Mentions:
-Rookie Collin Sexton put up 22 points against the Pelicans in his first-ever Summer League game. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Summer League First Team.
-Second-year player Donovan Mitchell had a strong showing in Utah’s opening game, scoring 24 points against the Hawks. He would go on to be named co-MVP of the league.
-Trae Young put up an impressive 32 points and 8 assists in his Summer League debut against the Cavaliers. The 5th overall pick in this year’s draft has been one of the most talked about players so far and is looking like he could be a star in the making.
Summer League MVP
In the NBA Summer League, the most valuable player award goes to the player with the best statistical performance. This year’s winner is Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum.
McCollum averaged 24.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in Las Vegas, leading the Blazers to a perfect 6-0 record. He shot an impressive 52.5% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range. His best game came against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he scored 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three-point range.
This is McCollum’s second summer league MVP award; he also won it in 2013. He joins an elite group of players that includes LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant.
