Top NBA draft picks impress in summer league performances
The 2026 NBA Draft class has concluded its summer league appearances, with several top prospects showcasing their skills. Fans had their initial opportunity to see these players in NBA jerseys, and the performances of the top-tier prospects generated considerable excitement.
Evaluations of summer league play often focus on identifying outlier performances, whether exceptionally good or bad. Defensive showings in these exhibition games are generally not considered indicative of regular-season play due to the lack of defensive cohesion. Furthermore, summer league statistics are typically not seen as reliable predictors of future success, given the loose nature of the games.
Top Prospects Shine
AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick for the Washington Wizards, delivered performances consistent with expectations in his two games in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-9 wing demonstrated his ability to drive to the basket, scoring 50 total points. He frequently initiated offense, breaking down defenses and pushing the ball in transition. While his three-point shooting was not strong, hitting only 1 of 11 attempts, Dybantsa showed poise in developing plays before attacking the rim. He also drew fouls at a high rate, attempting 14 free throws under G League rules.
Darryn Peterson, selected No. 2 by the Utah Jazz, also met expectations across his four games in both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Peterson showcased strong three-point shooting, making 38.5 percent of nearly seven attempts per game, and averaged 25 points per game. He frequently played on the ball, utilizing his athleticism to create space for pull-up jumpers. Peterson also demonstrated passing ability, averaging 5.5 assists per game, including a notable performance against the Memphis Grizzlies where he assisted teammates multiple times. Despite some struggles getting all the way to the rim, he mitigated this by drawing fouls, averaging eight free-throw attempts in his two Las Vegas games.
Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick for the Memphis Grizzlies, played five strong games across his summer league stops. He averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and nearly four assists per game, shooting 51 percent from the field, 45 percent from three, and 80 percent from the line in 27 minutes per game. Boozer’s play was described as structurally sound, consistently making effective decisions and threatening defenses in various ways, including shooting from distance and operating out of ball screens. His consistent decision-making and versatility stood out among the top prospects.
Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick for the Chicago Bulls, also made a significant impact. Wilson’s competitive nature was highlighted, and he turned heads with his scoring, averaging 24.3 points per game. He displayed ignitable shooting, converting 48 percent from beyond the arc, and delivered highlight-reel plays. Wilson’s performance was built on his three-point shooting and ability to score, even if the overall process was sometimes described as messy.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond the top four, other players also made strong impressions. Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick for the Milwaukee Bucks, demonstrated versatility and a wide range of skills. He contributed as both a play-finisher and a playmaker, impacting both ends of the court. Burries’ per-game production included 22.3 points on 50 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 stocks, with only a single turnover recorded. His performance suggests he could be a rising star.
The Brooklyn Nets‘ backcourt, featuring Egor Dëmin and No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr., also showed promise. In two games in Las Vegas, the Nets won by a combined 58 points with this duo. Together, they contributed 78 points on 48/36/91.7 shooting splits, 18 assists against seven turnovers, 10 rebounds, nine steals, and three blocks. Brown noted that their focus is on making the game easier for each other, which they believe will benefit them long-term.
Undrafted scoring guard Meleek Thomas, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, emerged as the leading scorer in Las Vegas, averaging 28.3 points per outing. He shot 50 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from the perimeter, and made all of his free throws. Thomas also contributed with 4.3 assists against 1.7 turnovers and 2.3 steals, challenging the perception of him as solely a scorer. His confident play and experimentation suggest he could force his way into a significant role as a rookie.
Conversely, some players from the 2026 Draft’s Second Tier faced challenges. Guards like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., and Kingston Flemings had mixed results. Wagler’s game was noted as not being a strong fit for the summer league environment, while Acuff Jr. struggled with defensive effort and did not provide the expected offensive output, with a 36.5/26.3/64.3 shooting slash and 4.7 turnovers per outing. Flemings showed leadership and defensive intensity but struggled with shooting, hitting 33.3 percent from both the field and deep.
Nate Ament, the No. 13 overall pick for the Milwaukee Bucks, also had a quiet summer league. Despite being theoretically capable of dribbling, passing, and shooting as a 6’10” forward, Ament was described as too passive and not physical enough, resulting in 21 total points, three assists, and seven turnovers through three outings. His raw skills and frame were noted as factors, and the Bucks are still awaiting hints of the reward from this risk-reward prospect.
Additionally, some 2024 Draft Picks who were still participating in the 2026 NBA Summer League did not perform strongly. Players like Pacôme Dadiet and Dillon Jones were shooting under 40 percent from the field, while lottery picks Tidjane Salaün and Cody Williams averaged more turnovers than assists, both shooting only slightly better at 42.9 percent. Their continued presence in the summer league and underperformance raised concerns.
The summer league provided an early look at the potential of the 2026 NBA Draft class, with many top picks and some later selections making strong initial impressions on the court.
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Source: nytimes.com
