Day 3 of NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas witnessed some of the league’s best rising talents putting on a show. From Victor Wembanyama’s bounce back to Jabari Smith Jr. putting on a scoring clinic, it was a thrill to watch.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
After an adjustment game in his Summer League debut, it took only the next tipoff for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick to remind everyone why this draft was a no-doubter at the top spot. The touch was back (27 points; 9-14 FGs, 2-4 3PM) and Wembanyama also pulled down 12 boards and blocked another three shots for good measure. A healthy 27-minute run that served notice it’s about to be an impactful season in San Antonio.
THROW IT DOWN VICTOR! 🔨@vicw_32 | #SummerSpurs pic.twitter.com/0YEbkGlFHz
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 10, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
The 2022 No. 3 overall pick decided to play in Summer League because he felt he wasn’t above it. In a game full of rising talent on both teams, Jabari Smith Jr. continued his stellar play after delivering a buzzer-beater on Saturday.
Big Shot Bari 😎 @jabarismithjr pic.twitter.com/5Y49saCTch
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 9, 2023
Smith Jr. tallied a season-high for Summer League with 38 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. He shot efficiently from the field (52.0%) and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line (9-10 FTs). The incoming second-year player contributed on both sides of the ball with one steal and one block.
Tyrese Martin, Atlanta Hawks
A second-round pick from the 2022 Draft, Martin struggled in his rookie season to find the shooting stroke that vaulted him onto NBA radars as a senior at Connecticut. He rediscovered it on Sunday, shooting 8-for-12 overall and 3-for-6 from deep for 21 points in Atlanta’s 98-93 win over Denver. Martin did his damage in just under 25 minutes, a welcome sight for a Hawks franchise in the middle retooling its roster.
Dereon Seabron, New Orleans Pelicans
After going undrafted in 2022, Seabron became a two-way prospect for a Pelicans team trying to solidify its footing in the Western Conference. Seabron’s aggression could become an ingredient in that endeavor.
Dyson DISH. Seabron FINISH.
HOOPIN' pic.twitter.com/CzFMYiDEIM
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 10, 2023
The 6-foot-7 swingman was relentless attacking the rim on Sunday, making all eight of his field goal attempts in the paint while shooting 9-for-13 from the free throw line. Just as impressive was Seabron committing just two turnovers despite all his forays to the basket.
Collin Castelton, Los Angeles Lakers
A springy 6-foot-11 center, Castelton earned a two-way deal with the Lakers after averaging 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while earning USA Today honors as SEC Defensive Player of the Year for Florida as a fifth-year senior. On Sunday, he was aggressive early on – scoring 14 points in the 1st half – before hunkering down to add 7 points and 9 rebounds during the Lakers’ 2nd-half surge against the Hornets. The final line landed at 21 points (8-13 FGs), 14 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal against a single turnover in 27 minutes.