Following a somewhat subdued 2024 NBA rookie class, where even second-round pick Bronny James drew significant Summer League attention in Las Vegas, the atmosphere of excitement returned this month. This was largely due to the highly anticipated debut of 2025`s No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, and other promising talents from a widely praised draft class, as they showcased their skills with their new teams.
After a challenging start with the Dallas Mavericks, where he shot just 5-of-21 in his Thursday debut, Cooper Flagg rebounded strongly on Saturday, netting 31 points before his team concluded his Summer League participation. This impressive scoring feat matched John Wall`s record for a No. 1 overall pick in Summer League history. In the same game, No. 2 pick Dylan Harper made his debut for the San Antonio Spurs, contributing 16 points in just 20 minutes.
As Summer League play wrapped up for Flagg and other prominent rookies prior to Sunday`s championship game, we now look back at the key performances. Our review focuses exclusively on the Las Vegas events, omitting the earlier California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer Leagues. We`ll highlight top performers across various categories and consider their outlook for the upcoming 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, Nique Clifford, a seasoned college player, emerged as one of the most refined rookies in this year`s class during the Las Vegas Summer League. He posted impressive averages of 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Notably, Clifford`s significant improvement in college was tied to his shooting, making his 9-of-17 (53%) performance from the NBA three-point line particularly encouraging. While sustaining such a high percentage is unlikely, his intelligent playmaking will remain a valuable asset, especially if his jump shot continues to command defensive attention.
Cooper Flagg`s role in Summer League was intentionally designed to resemble that of a second-year player, granting him extensive on-ball opportunities as a point forward. This led to him having the third-highest usage rate among participants. While he`ll need to refine his ball-handling for a similar role in the NBA, his efficiency in high-volume situations against the Spurs, evidenced by a remarkable 13 free-throw attempts, was highly promising.
Liam McNeeley, selected 29th, notably outshone his Charlotte Hornets teammate Kon Knueppel (the No. 4 pick), despite Knueppel`s improved play after a tough start. In his debut, McNeeley recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds (surpassing his UConn career high), and 6 assists. His consistent performance, including three 3-pointers in each of his two games, was particularly encouraging given his 32% shooting from the college three-point line.
Most Promising Rookies
- 1. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
- 2. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
- 3. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
While Cooper Flagg`s immense potential is undeniable, Dylan Harper, the second overall pick, demonstrated flashes of his talent despite a heavy workload. Harper carried an even higher usage rate (39%), which impacted his shooting efficiency (36% overall, 1-of-8 from three). However, his innate skills, which earned him the No. 2 spot, were evident. Playing alongside established talents like Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle in actual NBA games, Harper is expected to distribute the ball more (exceeding his 2.0 assists per game in Summer League) and take fewer contested shots.
Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the 2025 NBA draft, respectively, faced off July 12 in Las Vegas.
Although No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe impressed in his Salt Lake City Summer League debut, given our focus solely on Vegas performances, No. 6 pick Tre Johnson merits attention. Johnson`s physical attributes, particularly his wingspan (measured over 6-foot-10 at the combine), provide a distinct advantage, allowing him to create separation for shots more easily than typical score-first guards. He showcased a smooth shooting stroke, hitting 69% of his two-pointers and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Most Intriguing Rookie
- Yang Hansen, Portland Trail Blazers
Beyond Flagg, Yang Hansen, the No. 16 overall pick, garnered significant attention as the highest Chinese draftee since Yi Jianlian in 2007. Hansen, standing 7-foot-1, displayed exceptional perimeter passing, tallying 15 assists in four games, many of which were highlight-worthy. He also demonstrated surprisingly strong shot-blocking abilities (2.3 per game) and showed promise from long range, hitting 4-of-12 three-pointers. While his rebounding (5.0 per game) needs improvement, his Summer League performance suggested he was far from a `reach` pick.
Best Undrafted Rookie
- Eli John N’Diaye, Atlanta Hawks
Eli John N`Diaye, a Senegalese talent with experience from Real Madrid, secured a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks after going undrafted. Despite playing only one game in Las Vegas before a wrist injury, he made a notable impact with 12 points and 6 rebounds in just 21 minutes.
Slowest-Starting Rookie
- Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Jeremiah Fears of the New Orleans Pelicans initially struggled to find his offensive rhythm, partly due to the crowded paint created by fellow first-round big men Yves Missi and Derik Queen. His shoot-first approach and high usage rate (over 30%), coupled with a 5-of-21 shooting performance against the Lakers and an unfavorable 3 assists to 16 turnovers ratio in his first three games, raised concerns about his immediate impact. However, Fears eventually delivered his strongest outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, posting 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 6 assists, and only 4 turnovers, showcasing the potential the Pelicans hoped for when drafting him at No. 7.
Best Veterans
- 1. Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz
- 2. Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves
- 3. Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyle Filipowski of the Utah Jazz led all Summer League scorers with an impressive 29.3 points per game. He even hit a game-tying dunk in overtime against San Antonio, though his heroics were overshadowed by Riley Minix`s subsequent game-winning three-pointer. While Filipowski, who averaged 21 minutes as a rookie on a rebuilding team, is clearly a high-level talent, his continued participation in Summer League proved beneficial. His offensive versatility shone through, evident in his 56% overall shooting, including a 39% success rate on 23 three-point attempts across three games.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 27th pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Terrence Shannon Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves, poised for an expanded role following Nickeil Alexander-Walker`s free agency departure, showcased his readiness in Las Vegas. He averaged 22.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Shannon`s combination of quickness and strength consistently enabled him to attack the basket, and he maintained a solid three-point shooting percentage (38.5% on 10-of-26 attempts), building on his 35.5% mark as a rookie.
Nae`Qwan Tomlin, who only saw 63 minutes of NBA action last season while on a two-way contract with Cleveland, delivered a comprehensive performance in Summer League. The former Memphis player averaged 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His most intriguing development was his improved outside shooting, sinking nine three-pointers in four games, a significant improvement over his 34% mark in the G League.
Best Free Agent
- Daniss Jenkins, Detroit Pistons
Daniss Jenkins, an undrafted rookie, leveraged a strong Las Vegas Summer League showing last year into a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, though he saw limited regular-season minutes (23 total). Now a restricted free agent, Jenkins remained with Detroit and notably challenged Reed Sheppard of the Rockets, limiting him to 6-of-19 shooting and forcing six turnovers. Offensively, Jenkins excelled as a playmaker, tallying 26 assists against only seven turnovers. While his G League shooting percentages (43% overall, 33% from three) need improvement, his overall court vision and defensive impact warrant further NBA consideration.
Jenkins` balanced play appears more conducive to an NBA role than the high-volume scoring displayed by David Jones-Garcia (Spurs, 24.3 PPG with huge usage) or the rebounding dominance of Charles Bassey (Celtics, 11.3 RPG), who previously played for San Antonio.
