2023 NBA Summer League: Standouts From Thunder Matchup Against Pacers
Yesterday's games featured a handful of impressive rookies, including Gradey Dick, Jordan Walsh, and Amen Thompson. However, one of the most exciting games as it relates to incoming rookies was Oklahoma City against Indiana in Las Vegas.
Here's the three rookies who stood out during the Thunder-Pacers game:
Jarace Walker (Pacers | No. 8 Overall Pick)
20 Points | 9 Rebounds | 2 Assists
Walker has been very productive through three games of play, averaging 15 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists, while garnering 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest. He's continued to show the Pacers what he can offer defensively, but perhaps what he's done on the offensive end has been most impressive.
The lottery pick has continued to flash the potential he showed at Houston to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket, something that's demanding for defenses to deal with due to his 6-foot-8, 250-pound frame. He oftentimes finishes these drives with a teardrop floater or drawing a foul, meaning he's not only just creating rim pressure but also converting these drives into points at the rim or the line. He also illustrated his incredible basketball IQ in this game, faking a dribble hand-off and getting himself wide open for a floater off the backboard.
Learn more about what Jarace Walker can bring to the Pacers' offense here and their defense here.
Chet Holmgren (Thunder | No. Overall Pick in 2022)
25 Points | 9 Rebounds, 5 Blocks | 60 FG% | +18
Despite missing his rookie season with a foot injury, Chet Holmgren continues to remind NBA fans that he was the 2nd overall pick for good reason. The Gonzaga product, who hit my Productive Young Athlete query during his lone season as a Bulldog, is averaging a blistering 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and a steal in his two games at summer league.
Holmgren displayed immense versatility both offensively and defensively in yesterday's game. Offensively, Holmgren is an immediate lob threat due to his 7-foot-1 height, 7-foot-6 wingspan, and elite finishing ability around the rim. Additionally, Holmgren has a smooth shooting stroke and shot 39% from deep (105 attempts) at Gonzaga. This versatility as both a Roll & Cut Big and a Stretch Big will allow him to contribute immediately to the Thunder's offense.
Additionally, since defenders have to respect Holmgren's three-point shot, his ability to drive and attack closeouts at 7-foot-1 makes him a dynamic threat offensively. Combine this with his ability to handle the ball and make plays for others in transition, and the Thunder may have one of the highest-potential players in the entire league.
Defensively, Holmgren has shown the ability to be both an incredible big in the pick-and-roll and as a rim protector. He covers ground as well as any big in the NBA and has precise timing on blocks. The play below was one of the most impressive of the entire game, as he first rotates to defend the ball-handler and then blocks (the player who he forced the ball-handler to pass to) Jarace Walker at the rim.
Keyontae Johnson (Thunder | No. 50 Overall Pick)
18 Points | 3 Rebounds | 78 FG%
Johnson stood out as one of the best players on the floor in both yesterday's game against the Pacers and the Thunder's prior game against the Rockets, the latter of which I was lucky enough to see in person. Johnson, who hit my Productive Sophomore Query, is averaging 15 points and five boards in three summer league games thus far and is shooting 64% from the field. In both games, Johnson has shown his ability to hit catch-and-shoot threes, which he converted 45% of this past season at Kansas State (84 attempts). Although he has been struggling statistically from beyond the arc thus far in summer league, his smooth shooting form has been consistent and leaves me with little concern over his jumper this upcoming season. Additionally, he's made impressive off-the-dribble shots in the midrange and has been a physical and effective finisher on drives and in transition. An incredible showing thus far for a player with a tremendous, resilient story.
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