On the heels of a loaded NBA Draft, there was heightened interest in this year’s Summer League. It didn’t disappoint. Some of the top names from June’s draft put up tantalizing performances in Las Vegas, and the NBA honored them Tuesday by announcing an MVP and All-Summer League Teams.
Yaxel Lendeborg (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg, 35.7% from 3), who was named MVP of the championship game after leading the Golden State Warriors past Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies, earned top honors as MVP of the entire league.
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Lendeborg outplayed Boozer down the stretch of a tight title game to secure the win and MVP honors. He earned the hardware months after helping lead Michigan to an NCAA championship.
Boozer (18.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 33.3% from 3), who delivered with consistent production throughout the league, was named to the All-Summer League first team. As was his former ACC rival and Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson (23.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.5 bpg, 41.9% from 3), who generated the most buzz in Las Vegas with his high-flying dunks and surprising 3-point shooting.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries (23.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2 spg, 36.4% from 3) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (27.3 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2 spg, 43.8% from 3) joined Lendeborg, Boozer and Wilson on the first team.
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Second-year players highlight second team
Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (19 ppg, 7 rpg, 41.7% from 3), Nets guard Egor Dёmin (21 ppg, 4.3 apg, 30% from 3), Suns center Khaman Maluach (19.5 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 40% from 3), Hornets forward Liam McNeeley (21.7 ppg, 5 rpg, 52% from 3) and Timberwolves guard Zyon Pullin (21 ppg, 7.8 apg, 35.7% from 3) were named to the second team.
What about Peterson, Dybantsa?
AJ Dybantsa (25 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.5 spg, 39.4% from 3) and Darryn Peterson (20.7 ppg, 4 apg, 3 rpg, 23.1% from 3), the top two picks in the draft, did not make the cut. The Wizards shut down Dybantsa after two games and the Jazz shut Peterson down after three.
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Dybantsa put up numbers in limited action to rival the All-Summer League selections, but neither got enough court time to garner consideration next to players who played 4-6 games each.
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