News Summary
The 2025 NBA Summer League showcased emerging talent, with standout performances from top draft picks, including No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. Flagg’s impressive 31-point game tied the record for summer league No. 1 picks, while Harper contributed significantly for the Spurs. Other notable players included Kyle Filipowski and Nique Clifford, who displayed their scoring prowess. The tournament offered a showcase for rising stars as they prepared for the upcoming season, with thrilling matchups and impressive performances throughout.
Las Vegas, NV – The 2025 NBA Summer League captivated fans and scouts alike, showcasing a fresh wave of talent following a subdued year for the previous rookie class. This year’s event saw standout performances from top draft picks, including prominently anticipated No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who generated significant interest with his debut for the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg faced a challenging start to his summer league career, struggling in his first game with a shooting performance of just 5-of-21 against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he made a remarkable turnaround in his second outing, scoring 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs. This impressive display tied him with John Wall for the most points scored by a No. 1 pick in summer league history. Flagg was utilized effectively in a point forward role, showcasing a high usage rate, and he was able to get to the free-throw line 13 times during his second game.
Competing alongside Flagg, Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick who debuted for the Spurs, contributed positively to the efforts, scoring 16 points in just 20 minutes during the same game against Flagg. However, both players, along with several other top rookies, were shut down before the championship game, concluding their summer league participation early.
The tournament was not without its highlights beyond the top two picks. Nique Clifford, a player for the Sacramento Kings, showcased his skills, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, solidifying his presence among the summer league’s standout performers. Another notable entry was Liam McNeeley, selected 29th overall, who outperformed teammate and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in his debut.
Leaders in scoring included Kyle Filipowski, who topped summer league scores with an average of 29.3 points per game. He made a game-tying dunk in an overtime thriller, further proving his scoring prowess. Other emerging talents included Terrence Shannon Jr., averaging 22.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, with 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists to his credit.
Meanwhile, Eli John N’Diaye, who signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks after going undrafted, injected some excitement into the event with a score of 12 points before being sidelined by an injury. Jeremiah Fears, playing for the New Orleans Pelicans, demonstrated growth throughout the tournament, culminating in a strong performance of 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting in his final game. Additionally, Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 rookie from China picked 16th overall, displayed impressive passing skills and shot-blocking ability, averaging 2 blocks per game.
Despite many strong performances, the summer league also featured struggles, notably with Fears experiencing a high turnover rate early on in the tournament. In a competitive matchup, the Boston Celtics edged out the Los Angeles Lakers 87-78, a game led by Jordan Walsh, who scored 17 points. Notably, Quinten Post from the Golden State Warriors missed participation due to an ankle injury but remained actively engaged with the team.
The summer league was packed with thrilling matchups, including overtime games, as rookies prepared for the upcoming NBA season. As they showcased their talents on a national stage, these young players look poised to make a significant impact in the professional league ahead.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: Cooper Flagg NBA Summer League
- Wikipedia: NBA Summer League
- The Guardian: Cooper Flagg Debut
- Google Search: Cooper Flagg NBA Summer League
- ESPN: 2025 NBA Summer League Superlatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NBA
- NBA: NBA 2K26 Summer League
- Google News: 2025 NBA Summer League
- ESPN: NBA Summer League Game
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