Victor Wembanyama is set to make his Summer League debut in Las Vegas.
Get ready for the action in Las Vegas this week with a look at some key players to follow.
Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order.
1. Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs
• First Game | July 7: Hornets vs. Spurs (9 ET, ESPN)
Champagnie’s performance at the California Classic put everyone on notice that this Spurs Summer League team is far more than the Victor Wembanyama show. Champagnie averaged 29 points in two games in Sacramento, splashing five 3-pointers each game. While the focus of the Spurs will change with the No. 1 overall pick on the court, Champagnie could take advantage of open looks with Wembanyama drawing defensive attention.
2. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
• First Game | July 8: Pacers vs. Wizards (8 ET, ESPN2)
Wembanyama won’t be the only player in Las Vegas this week hailing from Metropolitans 92. While Wembanyama may have brought the scouts to the games, Coulibaly made sure they noticed his play as well. The Wizards executed a Draft-night trade with Indiana to move up to grab Coulibaly with the No. 7 pick. Now, the 6-foot-6 forward gets to showcase his game and prepare for his first NBA season. Circle the matchup with the Spurs on Tuesday, July 11 as the two French lottery picks could face one another for the first time.
3. Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
• First Game | July 7: Raptors vs. Bulls (6:30 ET, NBA TV)
The 6-foot-7 wing shot 40% from 3-point range at Kansas last season and was widely considered one of the top shooting prospects of this Draft class. Now he gets a chance to prove it as he suits up for Summer League with the Raptors, who were happy to see him fall to No. 13 on Draft night.
4. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
• First Game | July 8: Pistons vs. Magic (5:30 ET, ESPN)
We go from this year’s 13th pick to last year’s No. 13 pick. Duren was named to the Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 9.1 points and 8.9 rebounds in 25 minutes per game last season. He led all rookies on the boards and ranked 21st in the NBA overall. With a year of experience under his belt, what will Duren have in store in Las Vegas?
First practice in Vegas ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Fgm0u90NOU
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 6, 2023
5. Jordan Goodwin, Phoenix Suns
• First Game | July 8: Bucks vs. Suns (9 ET, NBA TV)
While Bradley Beal was the headliner in the offseason trade between Phoenix and Washington, he did not arrive alone. The Suns also received Goodwin, a 6-foot-3 guard that averaged 6.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in just under 18 minutes per game last season for the Wizards. With a top-heavy roster that has star power and massive salaries, the Suns need to hit on players like Goodwin to help provide depth to their lineup. What will Goodwin do in Vegas to show the Suns they acquired multiple impact players in that deal?
6. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
• First Game | July 7: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets (7 ET, ESPN)
During last October’s showcase in Las Vegas between Metropolitans 92 and NBA G League Ignite, Scoot Henderson played great but was overshadowed by Wembanyama’s buzz. Then, in the Draft, Henderson went at No. 3 behind Wembanyama and Brandon Miller, adding a bit more to a chip on Henderson’s shoulder to want to show everyone just how good he is. He’ll get a great opportunity in Las Vegas, beginning with a matchup against the player selected at No. 4, Amen Thompson.
7. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
• First Game | July 8: Mavericks vs. Thunder (3:30 ET, ESPN2)
It had been nearly a year since we had seen Holmgren play after he suffered a foot fracture during a pro-am game last summer. But if the two games he played in the Salt Lake City Summer League are any indication – he averaged 12.5 points, 10 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game – expect Holmgren to show out in Las Vegas.
Chet Holmgren has looked impressive in Summer League play, but how will he mesh with SGA and the rest of the Thunder?
8. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
• First Game | July 8: Pacers vs. Wizards (8 ET, ESPN2)
Mathurin is one of just two All-Rookie First Team selections from last season – along with OKC’s Jalen Williams – that will participate in Summer League this week. Mathurin finished last season as the second-leading scorer among rookies behind Paolo Banchero. Mathurin thrived in Summer League last season, ranking eighth in scoring at 19.3 points per game. What does he have in store for summer No. 2?
9. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
• First Game | July 7: Hornets vs. Spurs (9 ET, ESPN)
Perhaps a change of summer scenery will help get the offense going for the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s Draft. Miller entered the Draft as a proven scoring wing but struggled to score in two games at the California Classic. Outside of a hot fourth quarter in Game 1, when he scored 12 points on four shots, including three 3-pointers, Miller’s offense was nearly non-existent. Can he get back on track this week and show everyone watching exactly why he was the No. 2 pick?
10. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers
• First Game | July 7: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets (7 ET, ESPN)
Fans may get a glimpse into Portland’s future in Las Vegas as Sharpe joins Henderson in what appears to be a promising backcourt to build upon. However, with trade rumors likely swirling around the Blazers all week, it will be interesting to see how Sharpe responds. In addition to any new moves in Sharpe’s toolkit, Las Vegas will hope to see a few of his spectacular dunks as well.
11. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
• First Game | July 7: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets (7 ET, ESPN)
Several Rockets players belong on this list. Before examining the rookies, let’s spotlight Jabari Smith Jr., last year’s No. 3 overall pick. He averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds during his rookie season and will look to build on that foundation.
12. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
• First Game | July 7: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets (7 ET, ESPN)
Amen Thompson’s combination of size, athleticism and skill make him a must-see at this year’s Summer League. After playing with Overtime Elite with his brother, Ausar, Summer League should provide him with a solid test to showcase his immense talents.
Summer League loading pic.twitter.com/G58Hgt7lY3
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 6, 2023
13. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
• First Game | July 8: Pistons vs. Magic (5:30 ET, ESPN)
Ausar followed his brother Amen in the Draft, and he does so again here as one of the players to watch as Summer League plays out. Ausar Thompson is a versatile offensive player that can score and make plays. But his defense is arguably even better as he uses his elite athleticism and instincts to disrupt plays with steals, deflections, on-ball pressure and blocked shots.
14. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• First Game | July 7: Spurs vs. Hornets (9 ET, ESPN)
What more needs to be said about the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft? Wembanyama has had the basketball world waiting impatiently for him to arrive in the NBA ever since his outstanding play during a two-game showcase against G League Ignite in Las Vegas. If those games last year proved that he was the clear-cut No. 1, this week’s games could showcase how Wembanyama can make an immediate impact.
15. Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
• First Game | July 7: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets (7 ET, ESPN)
We spoke of a chip on the shoulder of Henderson after he was selected third overall. But how big of a chip must Whitmore have as team after team passed on him in this year’s Draft? It’s not often a player many pundits viewed as a top-10 talent falls all the way to No. 20. But that’s what happened with Whitmore, and now he can show everyone that passed on him that they made a huge mistake.
