Tag: 2023 NBA Summer League

10 undrafted rookies who should get offered two-way deals after NBA Summer League

Charles Bediako and Nathan Mensah should have NBA deals.

One of the greatest joys of the NBA Summer League is watching top prospects fight to keep their dreams alive.

Now that NBA 2K24 Summer League has passed and the Cleveland Cavaliers were crowned champions, this year was no exception. We saw several second-rounders outperform their draft position and other notable undrafted free agents look like potential steals on two-way deals.

But there are still several UDFA who are looking to earn their own two-way deal and potentially showed enough while on the court to receive that chance from an NBA team.

We ranked the prospects most likely to get that call from a front office.

This story used AI-Powered statistics provided by the Stats Perform database.

RELATED: 5 second-round picks in 2023 who already look like draft steals during NBA Summer League

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Takeaways: MVP Cam Whitmore leads Rockets’ standouts at 2023 summer league

With 2023 summer league in the books, here’s our look back at key #Rockets takeaways, including Cam Whitmore’s MVP run and Jabari Smith Jr.’s complete domination.

In Monday’s championship, the Rockets and summer-league head coach Ben Sullivan fell one game short of accomplishing their goal of winning the NBA’s 2023 summer league. With a 99-78 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston finished with a 5-1 record. 

Yet, as general manager Rafael Stone and new head coach Ime Udoka watched courtside, they witnessed several positive developments over those two weeks in Las Vegas. Many may help the Rockets become more successful as they enter a self-proclaimed Phase 2 of their rebuilding process, starting with the 2023-24 season.

Rookie point guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) was ruled out of summer-league play after one game, and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were ruled out after the second. But all three made a big impression on Stone and Udoka during their limited playing time.

Meanwhile, those absences provided opportunities for other players on the summer roster —  most notably, rookie forward Cam Whitmore (summer-league MVP) and second-year guard Trevor Hudgins, who remains on a two-way contract with Houston. Both Whitmore and Hudgins made major contributions as the Rockets won three of their final four games, even without three big names.

With summer league officially in the books, here’s a look back at some key statistics and takeaways from six games in Las Vegas.

(Editor’s note: Ben DuBose also contributed to this article.)

Why Mavericks’ center Marcus Bingham Jr. hilariously (and correctly!) dunked on the wrong basket in NBA Summer League

Marcus Bingham Jr. is smarter than all of us.

I have no idea why this is, but the Dallas Mavericks can’t seem to stay away from wrong-basket debacles in the NBA.

We remember the fiasco with the Golden State Warriors this season that ended up in Mark Cuban actually protesting a loss because of a free basket the Warriors got behind an officiating mistake.

Now, the Mavs are finally on the right end of one of those mistakes. Summer Leaguer Marcus Bingham Jr. was the only person who realized it, though.

After a dead ball, the Mavericks were awarded the ball by the officials and just continued to play regularly. That is, until Marcus Bingham Jr. did the unthinkable.

He took the ball the other way and dunked it. It was HILARIOUS.

Jared Dudley (who is apparently coaching now!) was absolutely stunned. Mans said “what are you doing?” And, yeah, that’s the question we all had.

But if you were actually paying attention — which no one but Bingham appeared to me — you’d know that Bingham was right.

Former Aggie basketball star Dexter Dennis gives strong showing in NBA Summer League start

Former Aggie basketball star Dexter Dennis put on a complete performance in his first start during the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League.

Former Texas A&M basketball star Dexter Dennis put on a complete performance in his first full opportunity during the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League.

After registering a DNP in the Orlando Magic’s first summer league contest in Las Vegas, Dennis was given the starting nod in Thursday’s tilt versus the New York Knicks. In a performance that mirrored his impact while donning the Maroon and White, Dennis was active on both ends while flexing his potential to be a pure bucket-getter when needed.

The former Aggie scored 9 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the floor (2-for-3 from three), with two rebounds and a steal in 14 minutes of action. He finished with a plus-minus of +13, the second-highest among all Magic players.

Per the current summer league schedule format, each team plays at least five games throughout the tournament. Every team will play four games between July 7-14, with a fifth game hinging on the team’s record up to that point. After each team plays four games, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The 26 teams that do not advance to the four-team playoff will play a fifth game on either July 15 or July 16.

Given that Orlando’s record is 0-3 to date, odds are that Dennis and the Magic’s final game will fall in that latter category.

The Magic’s next bout is on Thursday, July 13, versus the Portland Trail Blazers, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. CT. Here’s to hoping Dennis has one more opportunity to show out in front of NBA scouts with a chance of landing a roster spot or a two-way contract.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Here’s why the Spurs aren’t playing Victor Wembanyama the remainder of Summer League

The Spurs are simply following through on what they planned to do the whole time.

After a rough debut at the NBA Summer League, No. 1 overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama looked much more like the generational prospect he’s been billed as in his second game on Sunday night.

The 7-foot-5 big man from France notched 27 points and 12 rebounds on 9 of 14 shooting. He wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly a step in the right direction.

That’s why it may have come as a surprise to see the news on Monday that the San Antonio Spurs would be shutting Wembanyama down, ending his time in the Summer League.

In actuality, this was all part of the team’s plan for the 19-year-old. The Spurs indicated ahead of the Summer League that Wembanyama’s playing time would be limited, and according to San Antonio Express-News columnist Mike Finger, they always intended for him to play in just two games.

It has definitely been a whirlwind of a year for the young phenom. Wembanyama previously played in the French Pro A league, the nation’s highest level of professional basketball, leading the Metropolitans 92 to the finals.

Between that season — which ended earlier this summer — and the draft festivities, he’s barely had time to catch his breath.

In his debut with the Spurs against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, Wembanyama struggled quite a bit. He finished with nine points and eight rebounds, but he shot just 2 of 13 from the field and picked up a team-high four personal fouls.

In the second game, he showed more flashes of the talent that has earned him hype as the best draft prospect since LeBron James. Now, after getting his first taste of NBA action, he’ll take the next couple of months to prepare for his first season in the league.

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Victor Wembanyama gave a refreshingly honest assessment of his first NBA Summer League game

Victor Wembanyama wasn’t afraid to be honest about his NBA Summer League debut.

San Antonio Spurs rookie phenomena Victor Wembanyama got his first taste of the NBA on Friday in his Summer League debut.

The first-overall pick had a solid night, scoring nine points for the Spurs in a 76-68 win over second-overall pick Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets.

It wasn’t a night of total Wemby domination like some thought it could be, as he didn’t break double digits in scoring and even got dunked on by Charlotte’s Kai Jones.

While the irresponsible sports hot take machine might try to spin one decent Summer League game as some sort of bizarre indictment on Wembanyama’s future, the rookie gave a very measured assessment of his debut.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know what I was doing on the court tonight,” Wembanyama told reporters, per KENS 5’s Casey Viera. “I’m trying to learn for the next games…[it’s] important to be ready for the season.

“Sometimes, I was off-rhythm with the plays and the calls, and I think it’s the biggest improvement I’ve got to do, it’s being ready.”

Wembanyama also felt that the rest he’ll get after the summer acclimation period for NBA rookies will be helpful, as the speed of the professional game is something he said he’s still getting used to.

“I think there’s a lot of conditioning to do to be able to play in an 82-game season,” he continued.

The Spurs rookie closed by saying he just wants to get better and learn as much as he can in this new phase of his career, which is exactly what you want to hear if you are a Spurs fan excited about his future.

Trying to gauge how an NBA rookie will do in his first non-regular season reps is like trying to gauge how an NFL rookie quarterback will be in his first preseason snaps.

It’s a bit absurd to make any grand statements about Wemby’s potential right now, but the sky is as high for him as it has been for any prospect to play in the NBA. He’s allowed to be human as he gets settled in a new league.

He’ll take some time to get adjusted, like all great basketball prospects do. It’s just bewildering to expect him to look like an all-time player in his first Summer League reps. After all, patience is a virtue.

Trio of former Aggies will play in the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League

With the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League underway, a trio of former Texas A&M stars will hit the hardwood with the goal of impressing scouts.

No. 1 overall pick and French phenom Victor Wembanyama won’t be the only showcase in the 2023 NBA Summer League. Fans will be able to catch a trio of former Texas A&M basketball stars hit the hardwood in Las Vegas.

A trio of former Aggies in Dexter Dennis, Quenton Jackson, and DJ Hogg will all partake in this year’s 2K24 NBA Summer League from Sin City, which runs from Friday, July 7th through the 17th. With all 30 NBA teams in action, it also provides a chance for the aforementioned three to display their skills in front of scouts, hoping to land a roster spot for the coming regular season.

Dennis headlines the group as the newest addition to make his way from College Station, having spent his final year of eligibility with Texas A&M following four seasons at Wichita State. In 34 games for the Aggies, he averaged his second-best scoring mark of 9.5 points per game while recording a career-best 5.7 rebounds and nearly a steal per game (0.8).

Jackson spent three seasons with Texas A&M from 2020 to 2022, logging career averages of 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Jackson appeared in 29 games last season for the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards G League affiliate, averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Hogg donned the Maroon and White from 2016 to 2018, averaging 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while being named SEC All-Freshman.

Hogg will be the first of the three to take the court when the Toronto Raptors face the Chicago Bulls on Friday, July 7, with the game airing on NBA TV and tip-off set for 5:30 p.m. CT.

On Saturday, July 8, Dennis will get his first taste of NBA action against the Detroit Pistons with tip-off scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT, and the game can be watched on ESPN. Shortly thereafter, Jackson will face the Indiana Pacers on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. CT.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Here’s the NBA Summer League schedule for Victor Wembanyama and other top draft picks

When can you watch the 2023 NBA Draft’s top three players play each other in the Summer League? We’ve got you covered.

With the 2023 NBA Draft in the rearview mirror, basketball fans can now get ready for the NBA’s Summer League games.

The offseason competitions help NBA rookies get into the rhythm of league play while giving undrafted players a chance to make their case for their professional careers.

As you could imagine, the 2023 NBA Draft’s top three players will be closely watched as Summer League gets going next month.

When will NBA fans get to see guys like Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson play?

Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs will take on Miller’s Charlotte Hornets on July 7, while Wembanyama will face Scoot Henderson’s Portland Trail Blazers on July 9. Miller and Henderson’s teams will square off on July 11.

These three players will enter the NBA with plenty of hype behind them, and watching them play each other on the court will be appointment television for any die-hard NBA fans and for the fans of these respective teams.

For folks who want to see all of this year’s 2023 NBA Summer League games for Wembanyama, Miller and Henderson, the league has unveiled a full schedule for all 30 teams.

Rockets release schedule for NBA’s 2023 summer league in Las Vegas

Assuming health, Amen Thompson and the summer-league #Rockets will open play in July with a nationally televised matchup versus Scoot Henderson’s Trail Blazers.

Assuming health, Amen Thompson and the summer-league Houston Rockets will open play in July with a nationally televised matchup versus Scoot Henderson’s Portland Trail Blazers.

Each year, the NBA hosts its summer league in Las Vegas to effectively serve as an offseason showcase for young players. While highly touted rookies may not play in all five games, due to injury risk, they typically do (assuming health) for at least the initial portion.

That’s why Houston’s opening game versus Portland is so intriguing, since it features the No. 4 (Thompson) and No. 3 (Henderson) picks from the first round of the 2023 NBA draft. Going by historical trends, both top rookies should play, if healthy. And since both are point guards, it’s truly a head-to-head matchup.

The complete summer-league roster for the Rockets, which should also feature No. 20 pick Cam Whitmore, has not been released. For now, here’s a look at the schedule with television information.

  • July 7: Rockets vs. Portland (6 p.m. Central, ESPN)
  • July 9: Rockets vs. Detroit (6 p.m. Central, ESPN2)
  • July 11: Rockets vs. Oklahoma City (5:30 p.m. Central, NBATV)
  • July 13: Rockets vs. Golden State (6 p.m. Central, ESPN)
  • Fifth game TBD

The second game of Houston’s summer schedule features a matchup with the Pistons, who should have No. 5 pick Ausar Thompson — yes, Amen’s twin brother — leading their squad.

Additional information on schedules and tickets is available now via the NBA’s 2023 summer league website. For Thompson and Whitmore, it will be their first game activity with the Rockets.

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JT Thor scores 28 as Hornets fall short in summer league finale

Charlotte closes out their time in Vegas with a 2-3 record.

The Charlotte Hornets fell short in their final summer league matchup, losing 89-86 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Charlotte was led by second-year player JT Thor, who finished with a game-high 28 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.

Last Sunday, Thor his the game-winning sudden death shot to defeat the Lakers in double overtime.

2022 first-round pick Mark Williams finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 20 minutes of action.

LiAngelo Ball did not make an appearance in Saturday’s summer league finale.

The Hornets’ time in Las Vegas showed promising big man depth in Williams and 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones along with the play of 2022 second-round pick Bryce McGowens.

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