NBA Summer League: Tournament Round Standouts

NBA Summer League: Tournament Round Standouts

Let's review some players who have impressed during the first three days of tournament action:

Wednesday

Reggie Upshaw, Clippers: Upshaw came close to a double-double Wednesday, securing 24 points and nine rebounds. His scoring was supplemented by impressive shooting beyond the arc, as he went 3-of-6 from three. Through six summer league games, Upshaw's rebounding has been solid (8.2 per game), but his scoring has come and gone (10.3).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Clippers: Gilgeous-Alexander was impactful on both ends of the floor Wednesday, totaling 17 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals and a block. The Clippers' subpar backcourt and Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive summer league play suggests he'll be a rotation player for LA from Day 1.

Devin Robinson, Wizards: Robinson snagged a double-double (26 points, 11 rebound) off some efficient shooting, going 9-of-13 from the field, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-9 from the charity stripe. Robinson was a staple in the G-League last season, averaging 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. He's parlayed that experience into a fantastic summer league season, as he's averaged 19.8 points and 6.0 rebounds across five games.

Collin Sexton, Cavaliers: Sexton showed off some passing ability during Wednesday's win, dropping seven dimes (and only three turnovers) in addition to his 25 points. That said, he racked up more than half of his summer league assists in this game. His 13 assists across four summer league tilts suggest Sexton may be looking to score the ball for the Cavs during his rookie campaign.

Zhou Qi, Rockets: Qi, who posted 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks Wednesday, had some opportunities to see the floor for the Rockets last season (124 minutes). Ultimately, he spent most of his time in the G-League, where he averaged 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 33.3 percent from deep. The 7-foot-1 center still has work to do, but is trending in the right direction.

Antonio Blakeney, Bulls: Blakeney, whose season was cut short last year due to injury, continues to play well during summer league. Wednesday, he dropped 28 points on the back of four three-pointers. Across four summer league tilts, he's averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steal. The LSU product will probably have an opportunity to fight for a reserve role during training camp.

Wendell Carter, Bulls: There's hardly much more to say about Carter, who looks like one of the most polished rookies in this year's class. He made nine of his 11 field-goal attempts Wednesday en route to 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Bruce Brown, Pistons: Brown flashed an all-around skillset Wednesday, dropping 15 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five steals and a block. A second-round pick this year, Brown will fight for reserve minutes on the wing for Detroit. However, his range is questionable, as he hit just 31.4 percent of his threes in two years at Miami.

Trae Young, Hawks: After some early struggles, Young appears to have found a rhythm in Vegas. Wednesday, he led the team in assists (eight), while also posting 23 points (7-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 7-7 FT) and two steals. That said, his turnover rate -- five on Wednesday -- remains somewhat of a concern.

Tyler Dorsey, Hawks: Dorsey led the Hawks in scoring, dropping 26 points while going an impressive 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also supplied eight boards, five dimes, two steals and a block. His success in summer league isn't too surprising given he played nearly 1,000 minutes for the Hawks last season.

Aaron Holiday, Pacers: Though he went just 5-of-17 from the field, Holiday led the team with nine assists and also supplied three steals and a block. He might have trouble entering the Pacers' point guard rotation right away, but has flashed passing and defensive ability through summer league, averaging 6.8 assists and 2.3 steals across 30.1 minutes.

Monte Morris, Nuggets: Morris led the Nuggets in scoring (21) and assists (seven) Wednesday, while committing just one turnover. A second-round pick out of Iowa State last season, Morris played 37 games in the G-League last season. Considering the talent on Denver's roster, he'll likely see most of his run in the G-League once again in 2018-19.

Willy Hernangomez, Hornets: A veteran by summer league standards, Hernangomez has been a double-double machine. He posted 18 points, 13 boards, three assists and two blocks Wednesday. Hernangomez has played just over 1,800 NBA minutes and averages 16.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a combined 2.2 blocks/steals per 36 across his career.

Thursday

Jarrod Jones, Heat: Jones drilled four three-pointers, helping lead him to a 31-point performance in which he also added eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. That was his best performance by far, however. Across five summer league games, the 29-year-old has averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Derrick Walton, Heat: Walton showed off his passing ability Thursday, dropping a 15-point, 11-assist double-double, which also included three steals. The Michigan product played 147 minutes for Miami last season, totaling 29 points, 16 assists, seven steals and three blocks. However, he spent most of his time in the G-League, where he's likely to end up again this season.

Cheick Diallo, Pelicans: Diallo posted 28 points and 13 rebounds Thursday. The third-year big man is looking to prove he's worthy of more reserve frontcourt minutes on New Orleans this season. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 11.2 minutes in 52 appearances in 2017-18.

Mitchell Robinson, Knicks: Robinson was dominant Thursday, securing 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds (seven offensive), six blocks and three steals in only 27 minutes. The 36th overall pick in this year's draft, Robinson should have an opportunity to battle for rotational frontcourt minutes during training camp.

Jevon Carter, Grizzlies: Carter put together a great all-around effort Thursday, tallying 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in just 26 minutes. The 32nd overall pick in this year's draft, Carter has played in seven summer league games and is averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals across 23.8 minutes.

Daniel Hamilton, Thunder: Hamilton, who started all 45 of his G-League appearances last season, continues to flirt with triple-doubles nearly every game. He posted seven points, 11 rebounds and eight assists Thursday. In five summer league appearances, the Connecticut product has averaged 7.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists.

Shaquille Harrison, Suns: Harrison put together an all-around effort Thursday, posting 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Not surprisingly, considering his 384 NBA minutes last season, Harrison has played well throughout summer league, averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 assists and 2.4 steals across 27.3 minutes.

Christian Wood, Bucks: Wood put together a dominant effort against the Spurs on Thursday, dropping 26 points (12-21 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-3 FT), 15 rebounds (six offensive) and a block. Undrafted out of UNLV in 2015, Wood has been a staple in the G-League lately and even averaged 20 and 10 last season.

DJ Wilson, Bucks: The 17th overall pick last season, Wilson dropped 19 points and 10 rebounds Thursday. He's looking a lot more comfortable during this year's summer league than in last year's, averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from deep. He'll likely still struggle to find a role on the Bucks this season, however, considering Milwaukee's frontcourt depth.

Wade Baldwin, Trail Blazers: In addition to his 15 points Thursday, Baldwin also grabbed six rebounds and handed out eight assists while committing just one turnover. Through four summer league tilts, he's averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 assists and 1.8 steals -- nothing too unexpected considering he started 16 of his 17 G-League appearances last season. That said, it may be tough for him to find consistent run at the NBA level, as Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Seth Curry are likely all above him on the depth chart.

Friday

Mitchell Robinson, Knicks: Posted 14 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and a steal. Discussed in more detail above.

Tyrius Walker, Knicks: Walker was a two-way force Friday, accumulating 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, five steals and a block in only 26 minutes. Undrafted out of Morehouse this year, the 6-foot-1 guard did most of his summer league damage during this performance, underwhelming in the previous two games.

Troy Brown, Wizards: The Wizards couldn't get a win Friday, but that didn't fall on the shoulders of Brown, who accrued 25 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Brown, the 15th overall pick this year, has averaged an impressive 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals in five summer league tilts. Assuming he can continue the momentum through training camp, Brown may be able to enter Washington's rotation as a rookie.

Thomas Bryant, Wizards: Bryant finished with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal Friday. He was impressive in the G-League last season, averaging 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks for the South Bay Lakers. He also hit 1.8 threes at a 36.4 percent clip. It's possible we begin seeing the 20-year-old garner some NBA run sooner than later.

Javonte Green, Suns: Green caught fire Friday, going 8-of-11 from the field en route to 20 points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist. It was his best game by far, as he had totaled just six points across two prior games.

Deonte Burton, Thunder: In addition to hitting a game winner at the buzzer, Burton compiled 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block in just 26 minutes. Undrafted out of Iowa State in 2017, Burton played in South Korea last season, where he averaged 23.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a combined 2.7 steals/blocks.

Alpha Kaba, Hawks: Kaba posted 14 points, 15 boards, four blocks, three assists and two steals Friday. The final pick during the 2017 Draft, Kaba has totaled 44 points, 44 rebounds, nine blocks, eight steals and seven assists across 98.2 minutes during summer league.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
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