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LAS VEGAS — The opening days of Summer League are over and most players have two to three games under their belt. We’re already starting to see some players shut it down after dominant performances and some teams taking precautions with minor injuries. Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, the No. 9 pick in the draft, has yet to play a game in Vegas and has sat out four games after rolling his ankle on July 8 in an overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick of the San Antonio Spurs, was incredible in his first showing, scoring 22 points in the Spurs’ first win on Saturday night. Castle will sit out the remainder of Summer League with a right wrist sprain.
There are a handful of incoming rookies who have impressed and second-year players who are playing well in the first few games. Yahoo Sports breaks down some of the players who are outplaying their draft slot and second-year players to watch heading into the season.
ROOKIES
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
Sheppard has been the best rookie in his first three games and is looking like one of the best players in this draft. The 6-foot-2 guard out of Kentucky is averaging 20 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3 steals per game in Summer League. NBA spacing has allowed Sheppard to really take control of the tempo and be patient with the offensive flow. It also really helps that Cam Whitmore is in the backcourt with him and provides additional room for him to create.
“I’m really just taking what’s given to me at each play,” Sheppard said. “We have a lot of good players that can space the floor, and it’s opened things up for me. It’s about making the right basketball play. If I’m the one open, shoot it. If I’m not, attack and get someone else open. I’m just trusting my teammates and making all the right basketball plays.”
Sheppard will most likely be playing behind Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Jalen Green, but with how productive he’s been and how well he’s shooting the 3-ball, he could see early minutes at the start of the season.
Buzelis might have felt slighted on draft night after falling to No. 11 to the Bulls after he was projected as a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-summer-league-1st-half-takeaways-reed-sheppard-matas-buzelis-lead-early-standouts-163245825.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-07-17 16:32:45
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