Category: 2024 NBA Draft

Nuggets’ DaRon Holmes II sends heartfelt message before Achilles surgery

Nuggets rookie DaRon Holmes II underwent surgery to repair his torn right Achilles tendon sustained in summer league.

Denver Nuggets rookie DaRon Holmes II underwent surgery on Monday to repair his torn right Achilles tendon sustained in the NBA Summer League, the team announced.

The injury occurred in the fourth quarter on Friday against the LA Clippers after Holmes attempted to defend a pass and landed awkwardly on the court. He was able to hobble off the court under his own power and wouldn’t return to the contest.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Kenneth Hunt at the UCHealth Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Denver. The team will provide updates on his status as appropriate, though the 22nd pick is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 surgery.

Holmes gave an update before his surgery on X, formerly Twitter.

Holmes had turned in a productive debut with the Nuggets prior to the injury, recording 11 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes. He finished by shooting 4-of-8 from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range.

The news of the injury is devastating to Holmes and the team after the 21-year-old established himself as a first-round pick. He was projected to be the backup center for the Nuggets behind Nikola Jokic after a tremendous collegiate career at Dayton.

Holmes was a consensus second-team All-American last season with the Flyers, averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks in 33 games. He was also named the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

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Source: Former Providence forward Josh Oduro to sign Exhibit 10 contract with Pelicans

Former Providence forward Josh Oduro has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Pelicans.

Former Providence forward Josh Oduro has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source told Rookie Wire on Monday.

Oduro joined the Pelicans for the NBA Summer League after going undrafted last month. He hasn’t yet played in a game with the Pelicans, though has participated in summer practices and other activities with the team in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Pelicans have dropped their first two summer league games after falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic. They return to action on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs and will wrap up their stay in the desert after two more games.

Oduro was an All-Big East Honorable Mention after averaging a career-high 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.3 blocks on 52.7% shooting from the field last season as a fifth-year senior. He ranked 10th in the conference in scoring and seventh in rebounds and blocks.

He registered nine 20-point performances, including a season-high 32 points, 12 rebounds and three assists on Feb. 7 in a win over Creighton. He was one of five players in the country to record at least 32 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a game last season.

Oduro will participate with the Pelicans in training camp and spend next season in the G League with the Birmingham Squadron as part of his Exhibit 10 contract. He can receive a bonus of up to $75,000 if he is waived and stays with the Squadron for at least 60 days.

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Hawks’ Nikola Djurisic diagnosed with foot fracture in summer league

Hawks rookie Nikola Djurisic sustained a left foot fracture on Sunday during a loss to the Spurs in summer league.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Nikola Djurisic sustained a left foot fracture on Sunday during a loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Djurisic suffered the injury in the first quarter after logging 6 minutes, 30 seconds of game time. He checked out of the game and went back to the locker room for examination. He wouldn’t return and later was seen on the bench in a walking boot.

The 43rd overall pick will miss the remainder of summer league following the injury. The team said it was discovered during an X-ray taken at the Thomas & Mack Center and further medical updates will be provided as appropriate.

Djurisic debuted with the Hawks in the desert on Friday, recording seven points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in a loss to the Washington Wizards. He went 2-of-6 from the field in 25 minutes of action.

The 20-year-old from Belgium hasn’t yet signed a contract with the Hawks. He isn’t guaranteed a roster spot as a second-round pick, so it is unclear how his foot injury may affect his contract situation for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Djurisic averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 36 games last season across all league competitions with Mega Basket in Serbia. He was previously named the ABA League Top Prospect in 2023.

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Spurs’ Stephon Castle to miss remainder of NBA Summer League

Spurs rookie Stephon Castle will miss the remainder of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas due to an injury.

San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle will miss the remainder of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas due to a right wrist sprain, the team announced.

Castle sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter on Saturday in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers after taking a hard fall on the court. He was able to get up on his own power and remain in the game after giving a thumbs up to the team bench.

The injury isn’t considered serious, as the team takes a cautious approach by sitting him the rest of the way. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in the fall.

Castle recorded 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in the contest, capping off a productive summer stint with the Spurs. He went 8-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range, in 29 minutes of action.

The fourth pick made two prior appearances with the Spurs in the California Classic, averaging 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals. He finished in double figures in all three games between Sacramento and Las Vegas.

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.2% shooting from the field at UConn. He was the sixth player in program history to win the award and the first since Daniel Hamilton in the 2014-15 season.

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3-time All-Star Trae Young shows love to Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard

For the second time in as many games, rookie Reed Sheppard put up a sensational performance to help lead the Rockets to a win.

For the second time in as many games, rookie Reed Sheppard put up a sensational performance to help lead the Houston Rockets to a win on Sunday in the NBA Summer League.

Sheppard produced 22 points, seven assists, six rebounds, five steals and one blocked shot in a 109-91 win over the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas, Nevada. He went 9-of-15 from the field, including 1-of-5 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes.

The third pick dazzled those on hand watching at the Thomas & Mack Center and even those watching elsewhere. The performance earned a shout-out from three-time All-Star Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sheppard once again got to his spots well to knock down open shots on the court. He was active in the passing lanes to pick off five passes, which helped lead fastbreak opportunities for the Rockets (2-0), who held a 26-17 advantage in that department.

The 20-year-old debuted with the Rockets on Friday in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers, recording 23 points, five assists, four rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal. He went 9-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, in 30 minutes.

Sheppard has looked to be the best rookie on the court through two games and is proving himself as a high draft pick. With at least three games left to play, Sheppard will have the chance to continue to adjust to the increased competition level and impress in the desert.

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Report: Adem Bona to sign 4-year, $8 million rookie contract with Sixers

Former UCLA center Adem Bona has reportedly agreed to sign a four-year, $8 million rookie contract with the 76ers.

Former UCLA center Adem Bona has reportedly agreed to sign a four-year, $8 million rookie contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The organization likely signed Bona using the second-round pick exception, which was introduced in the new collective bargaining agreement last year. The contract will include a team option in the final year for the 2027-28 season.

Bona, the 41st pick in the NBA draft, was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year last season after averaging 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals on 58.8% shooting from the field. He ranked second in blocks and third in field-goal percentage.

Bona debuted with the Sixers this month in summer league, averaging 6.3 points, six rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in four appearances so far between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He recorded eight points, seven rebounds and five blocks on Saturday.

The 6-foot-10 standout has had a strong start, showcasing why the team selected him in the second round with his elite rim protection. He has also displayed great instincts to anticipate plays on defense and looks to be grasping coverages and other reads very well.

Bona is still a bit raw offensively but has the skill set on defense to impact games next season. His progression and development throughout his rookie campaign should be worth watching.

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Bobi Klintman showed off range, passing in debut with Pistons in Las Vegas

Bobi Klintman turned in a productive effort with the Pistons on Saturday in his debut game in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Rookie Bobi Klintman turned in a productive effort with the Detroit Pistons on Saturday in his debut game in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Klintman produced 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal in a 94-81 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Thomas & Mack Center. He finished by shooting 5-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, in 28 minutes of action.

The 37th pick shot the ball well from beyond the arc and played with great confidence and decisiveness on that end of the court. He made several great reads to keep the ball moving on offense and find teammates for open shot attempts.

The Pistons were led by Ron Holland II, who scored 15 points and seven rebounds. Tolu Smith and Aaron Estrada both added 12 points and Daniss Jenkins chipped in 10 points and five assists in their first of at least five games in the desert.

Prior to the contest on Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Pistons reportedly agreed to sign Klintman to a four-year, $7.99 million rookie contract. The first two years of the deal are reportedly guaranteed.

Klintman was highly touted for his offensive versatility as a player who can handle the ball in transition, rebound and shoot from deep. He had each of those traits on display, along with his ability on defense after altering several shots and passes.

He and the Pistons will return to action on Monday against Houston.

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Alex Sarr, Wizards defeat Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks in summer league opener

In a battle of the top picks in the draft, Alex Sarr and the Wizards emerged victorious over Zaccharie Risacher and the Hawks in Las Vegas.

In a battle of the top picks in the NBA draft, Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards emerged victorious over Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sarr finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocked shots and one steal in the 94-88 win at the Thomas & Mack Center. The second pick went 4-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes.

The Wizards also received a strong performance from 14th pick Carlton Carrington, who neared a triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. The group outscored the Hawks 54-46 in the second half to pull out the win.

On the other side, Risacher produced a team-high 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. The No. 1 overall pick went 7-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range in 29 minutes of action.

The Frenchmen had solid debuts with their respective teams, showcasing what made them high picks this year. They had some strong moments on offense, from shooting to passing, and displayed their defensive versatility, as well.

The matchup finished off the first day of action in the desert and proved to be a very entertaining contest. They will certainly look to build upon their efforts on Friday and continue to build positive momentum throughout the rest of the tournament.

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DaRon Holmes expected to miss season after Achilles tear in summer league

Nuggets rookie DaRon Holmes II reportedly sustained a torn Achilles tendon in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Denver Nuggets rookie DaRon Holmes II reportedly sustained a torn Achilles tendon in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The injury occurred in the fourth quarter on Friday against the LA Clippers after Holmes attempted to defend a pass and landed awkwardly on the court. He was able to hobble off the court under his own power and wouldn’t return to the contest.

Holmes’ parents and Nuggets coach Michael Malone were reportedly seen surrounding him at the conclusion of the game, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. He left the Cox Pavilion on crutches and in a walking boot.

Holmes had turned in a productive debut with the Nuggets prior to the injury, recording 11 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes. He finished by shooting 4-of-8 from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range.

The news of the injury is a devastating blow to Holmes and the team, as the 21-year-old will likely miss the entire 2024-25 season. The 22nd pick was projected to be the backup center for the Nuggets behind Nikola Jokic after a tremendous collegiate career at Dayton.

Holmes was a consensus second-team All-American last season with the Flyers, averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks in 33 games. He was also named the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

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Rockets’ Reed Sheppard put on a show in Las Vegas Summer League debut

In front of a packed house, Reed Sheppard put on a dazzling performance to lead the Rockets to a win over the Lakers in Las Vegas.

In front of a packed house at the Thomas & Mack Center, Reed Sheppard put on a dazzling performance to lead the Houston Rockets to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sheppard produced a team-high 23 points, five assists, four rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal in the 99-80 victory. He went 9-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, in 30 minutes of action in his debut on Friday.

The third pick connected from well behind the arc on several of his 3-point attempts, including a couple of shots from the logo. He also had perhaps the highlight of the game after putting first-round pick Dalton Knecht on skates to get open for a floater.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka approved of his performance.

“I like his all-around game, his IQ,” Udoka told ESPN. “Obviously, the shooting stands out, but he is very competitive (and) has a high IQ. I talk about his parents all of the time, his background and what he has been taught his whole career and his life so far. I love what he is doing today.”

With Sheppard leading the way, the Rockets also got strong performances from second-year forward Cam Whitmore (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Nate Williams (17 points, six rebounds). They led most of the game and went up by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Sheppard showcased himself at a high level and looked to be the best player on the court for much of the game. He shot the ball with extreme confidence and had no issue getting to his spots in the mid-range and the paint for open looks.

After working on his game for much of the offseason, Sheppard was excited to finally showcase it in a competitive game setting. He will be looking to keep it going when the Rockets return to action on Sunday against the Washington Wizards (6 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).

“You get in the gym and you don’t get to play in a game, so you go in and have to work on your game a little bit,” Sheppard said, via Locked on Rockets. “Being able to do that and showcase it in a game is what you work for. You work to be able to play in games, so being able to do that was a lot of fun.”

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