Summer League, Day 1: Five Players Who Turned Heads in Vegas — Non-Wemby Division
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets sure knows how to work a crowd.
Smith, the third-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is playing with the Rockets' summer league team in Las Vegas, and he seized the moment Friday night. While the sellout crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center were getting to their seats to watch the debut of Victor Wembanaya a few minutes after Houston's game with Portland ended, Smith hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Rockets a 100-99 win.
Smith, who averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a rookie, scored 33 points and had seven rebounds in the win. He was 8-for-18 from the field and made 14-of-17 free throws.
Here are four others that had nice days during Day 1 of the Las Vegas Summer League:
Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson, the second overall pick in this year's draft by Portland, scored 15 points in his debut but left with a mild shoulder injury. He also had five rebounds and six assists, with just two turnovers in 21 minutes.
He did a nice job of showing off his quickness and running the Blazers' offense. He's a pest defensively, too, and is going to be fun to watch develop.
Sharife Cooper, Cavaliers
Sharife Cooper is doing his best to make a good impression on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the summer, and he showed out on Friday night, scoring 27 points in the Cavs' 101-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He was 8-for-11 from the field, made 2-of-3 three pointers and 9-of-11 free throws.
He looked good off the bounce and was very efficient in knocking down shots.
Marjon Beauchamp, Bucks
MarJon Beauchamp had 23 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 92-85 victory over the Denver Nuggets and had several moments where he took over in the second half.
Beauchamp also had eight rebounds and two assists
Payton Watson, Nuggets
In the same game, Peyton Watson led the Nuggets with 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks and looked good in every facet of the game.
Related stories on NBA Las Vegas Summer League
- ROCKETS TOP PICK THOMPSON INJURES ANKLE: Amen Thompson, the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, injured his ankle during their summer league game on Friday night.: “It’s pretty sore.” He says it’s up to the Rockets’ staff if he returns in the summer league. Here's the latest update. CLICK HERE
- KAI JONES SHOWS UP VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Much of the summer league attention has been focused on San Antonio Spurs top pick Victor Wembanyama, but Charlotte's Kai Jones got the best of him on this dunk. Here's the impressive highlight. CLICK HERE
- SCOTT HENDERSON INJURED: Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers, injured his shoulder on Friday night and didn't finish their summer league game on Friday. It's serious enough that he's going to get an MRI on Saturday. Here's the latest. CLICK HERE
- COMPLETE SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE: The NBA's Las Vegas Summer league is off and running, with all 30 teams in town and young rosters playing in front of sell-out crowds. Games started on Friday, and concludes with a championship game on July 17. Here's the complete schedule, with game times and TV information, plus a daily update on the scores. CLICK HERE
- JACKSON-DAVIS OUT FOR WARRIORS: Second-round pick Trayce Jackson-Davis is still bothered by a hamstring injury, and the Golden State Warriors are in no hurry to rush him back. He was held out again Friday night when they opened Las Vegas Summer League play against the Los Angeles Lakers. CLICK HERE
- DAY 1 TOP PLAYERS: Houston power forward Jabari Smith Jr. had a huge night Friday, scoring 33 points and hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night in the Las Vegas Summer League. Here are three players who caught my eye on the first day. CLICK HERE
- DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY: Every single NBA team has descended upon Sin City for the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League to showcase their young talent. While the very first day had lots of highlights on Friday, the biggest ones came from the much-anticipated debut of Victor Wenbanyama, the first overall pick of the San Antonio Spurs.
