Following a less impactful 2024 NBA rookie class, where second-round pick Bronny James generated the most buzz in the Las Vegas Summer League, this month brought renewed excitement. The 2025 draft class, highly anticipated, saw its top selections, including No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, hit the court with their new franchises.
Cooper Flagg, after a challenging 5-for-21 shooting display in his Dallas Mavericks debut, rebounded impressively on Saturday with 31 points before being sidelined by the team. This performance matched John Wall`s record for the highest score by a No. 1 pick in Summer League history. In the same game, No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper made his debut for the San Antonio Spurs, contributing 16 points in 20 minutes.
As Summer League concluded for Flagg and other key rookies before Sunday`s championship matchup, we review the top performers from Las Vegas, excluding play from the preceding California Classic and Salt Lake City leagues. We`ll highlight standouts across various categories and consider their prospects for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Best Rookies in Vegas
- 1. Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings
- 2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
- 3. Liam McNeeley, Charlotte Hornets
At 23, Clifford, with five years of college experience, showcased a remarkably polished game for a rookie, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in Las Vegas. His impressive 9-of-17 (53%) shooting from the NBA three-point line is particularly noteworthy, given his collegiate shooting improvements. While maintaining this percentage may be challenging, his intelligent playmaking will remain a key asset as long as defenders acknowledge his shooting threat.
Flagg`s Summer League role intentionally mirrored that of a second-year player tasked with increased on-ball responsibilities. Operating as a point forward, he recorded the third-highest usage rate. While his ball-handling will require refinement for an NBA-level point forward role, he demonstrated high-volume efficiency against the Spurs, notably earning 13 free-throw attempts.
Liam McNeeley, selected 29th, outperformed his No. 4 pick teammate Kon Knueppel, despite Knueppel`s improved play after a tough start. In his debut, McNeeley posted 22 points, 12 rebounds (surpassing his UConn career-high), and 6 assists. His consistency in hitting three 3-pointers in each of his two games is a positive sign, especially given his 32% collegiate three-point percentage.
Most Promising Rookies
- 1. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
- 2. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
- 3. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
While Flagg`s immense potential is self-evident, Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick, demonstrated why he was highly touted, despite an even higher usage rate (39%) and subsequent efficiency struggles (36% shooting, 1-of-8 from three). When playing alongside San Antonio`s main roster talents like Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, Harper is expected to record more assists than his Summer League average of 2.0 per game, alongside fewer shot attempts.
Although No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe impressed in his Salt Lake City Summer League debut (28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists), we`ll focus on Las Vegas standouts, giving the nod to No. 6 pick Tre Johnson. Johnson`s impressive physicality, including a wingspan exceeding 6-foot-10 measured at the combine, allows him to create shots more effectively than typical score-first guards. His smooth shooting translated to 69% on two-pointers and 5-of-11 from three-point range.
Most Intriguing Rookie
- Yang Hansen, Portland Trail Blazers
Following Cooper Flagg, Yang Hansen, the highest Chinese draft pick (No. 16) since Yi Jianlian in 2007, captivated audiences. The 7-foot-1 center`s perimeter passing was exceptional, tallying 15 assists in four games, many of which were highlight-worthy. Hansen also surprised with better-than-expected shot-blocking (2.3 per game) and a solid 4-of-12 performance from beyond the arc.
While he needs to enhance his rebounding, averaging just 5.0 per game, Hansen`s overall Summer League display suggested he was not a reach at his draft position.
Best Undrafted Rookie
- Eli John N`Diaye, Atlanta Hawks
Eli John N`Diaye, originally from Senegal and a former player for Spanish club Real Madrid, secured a two-way contract with the Hawks after going undrafted. Despite playing only one game in Las Vegas due to a wrist injury, he managed 12 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Slowest-Starting Rookie
- Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
With the New Orleans Pelicans` imposing frontcourt of first-round centers Yves Missi and Derik Queen limiting his offensive space, Jeremiah Fears initially struggled. His shoot-first approach raised doubts about his immediate impact, evidenced by a usage rate over 30% and a 5-of-21 shooting performance against the Lakers. He recorded only three assists against 16 turnovers in his first three Summer League games. However, he showed his potential in a strong outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, tallying 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 6 assists, and only 4 turnovers—a performance more aligned with the Pelicans` expectations for their No. 7 pick.
Best Veterans
- 1. Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz
- 2. Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves
- 3. Nae`Qwan Tomlin, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyle Filipowski led Summer League scoring with an average of 29.3 points per game. He notably hit a game-tying dunk in overtime against San Antonio, though his heroics were overshadowed by Riley Minix`s game-winning buzzer-beater. Despite averaging 21 minutes as a rookie on a rebuilding team, Filipowski proved his offensive prowess in Las Vegas, showcasing skills comparable to anyone on the court. He shot 56% overall, including an impressive 39% from three-point range on 23 attempts over three games.
Terrence Shannon Jr., anticipated to take on an expanded role following Nickeil Alexander-Walker`s free agency departure, performed strongly in Las Vegas, averaging 22.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. His combination of quickness and strength enabled effective drives to the basket, and he maintained a solid 38.5% (10-of-26) from beyond the arc, consistent with his 35.5% rookie shooting for the Timberwolves.
Nae`Qwan Tomlin, who only played 63 minutes in the NBA last season on a two-way contract with Cleveland, filled the stat sheet impressively during Summer League. The Memphis alum averaged 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Notably, he sank nine three-pointers in four games, an encouraging sign given his 34% three-point shooting in the G League.
Best Free Agent
- Daniss Jenkins, Detroit Pistons
Last summer, undrafted rookie Daniss Jenkins earned a two-way contract with the Pistons through his strong Vegas performance, though he saw limited regular-season minutes (23). Now a restricted free agent, Jenkins remains with Detroit and defensively challenged the Rockets` Reed Sheppard, limiting him to 6-of-19 shooting and forcing six turnovers. Offensively, Jenkins excelled as a playmaker, dishing out 26 assists against only seven turnovers. Despite shooting struggles in the G League last season (43% overall, 33% from three), his Summer League play suggests he warrants further NBA consideration.
Jenkins` contributions are more likely to translate to an NBA role compared to the high-scoring output of the Spurs` David Jones-Garcia, who averaged 24.3 PPG over his initial three games with an exceptionally high usage rate. Charles Bassey, leading all players with 11.3 rebounds per game through three contests, also made a strong impression with the Boston Celtics, following his last three seasons with San Antonio.
