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NBA Summer League 2014: The 10 Biggest Standouts

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By @TheSizzle20

NBA Summer League: 10 Players That Have Shined

NBA Summer League: 10 Players That Have Shined
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There’s almost always a group of players that get too much stock put into them as they come out of NBA Summer League. After all, Summer League isn’t the highest level of competition. However, the way some guys play make it clear that they will have success at the next level either very soon or eventually. Here are the 10 players that have stood out the most at Summer League.

10. Tony Snell

10. Tony Snell
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10. Tony Snell

10. Tony Snell
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Tony Snell left a lot of people crying potential last season, but still needed to realize that potential. He did a good job of showing his prowess in Vegas, though, putting up 20 points, four rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent shooting from three. Snell could be a sleeper for a larger role in Chicago.

9. T.J. Warren

9. T.J. Warren
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9. T.J. Warren

9. T.J. Warren
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The rap on T.J. Warren in the 2014 NBA Draft was that he does a lot of things well, but needs to develop an outside shot. He went 0-4 from three in Summer League, but was still highly impressive. He scored over 20 points in three out of his five games and averaged 17.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on 54.4 percent shooting. It’s clear that he can bring a lot to the table already while he keeps developing.

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo
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8. Giannis Antetokounmpo

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo
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The Greek Freak’s run at Summer League wasn’t flawless, but he certainly kept up the air of impressiveness. The big wing put up 17 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, one block and one steal per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three. If he can keep contributing all over the floor in the regular season, he’s going to be a huge asset for the Bucks.

7. C.J. McCollum

7. C.J. McCollum
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7. C.J. McCollum

7. C.J. McCollum
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One of the quietly disappointing subplots of last season was rookie C.J. McCollum’s foot injury that limited his ability to contribute and see the floor. Now healthy, he shined in Summer League as he put up 20.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, two assists and 1.8 steals per game. As Portland grows, McCollum can be a valuable asset off of the bench for them.

6. Doug McDermott

6. Doug McDermott
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6. Doug McDermott

6. Doug McDermott
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If there’s any question about whether McDermott can do things at an NBA level, put them too rest. It’s only Summer League, but Dougie McBuckets showed that he can score in a number of ways and contribute elsewhere on the floor. More importantly, his shooting from the perimeter is a thing of beauty.

5. Donatas Motiejunas

5. Donatas Motiejunas
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5. Donatas Motiejunas

5. Donatas Motiejunas
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Playing in the Summer League championship game on Monday, Motiejunas and the Rockets still have one game left. Through seven games the big man has put up 16.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 62 percent from the floor. With a need for depth in the frontcourt, Motiejunas could be able to help Houston a great deal this year.

4. Nerlens Noel

4. Nerlens Noel
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4. Nerlens Noel

4. Nerlens Noel
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Though he played sparingly, Noel was impressive in the first time we’ve seen him on the floor. Especially at Summer League, his athleticism and length looked other-worldly and like a weapon of mass destruction. If he can build off a decent offensive game and translate that defense to the regular season, the Sixers have a stud on their hands.

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
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3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
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His efficiency wasn’t great, but KCP did just about everything for the Pistons at Summer League in Orlando. In five games he put up 24 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. If he can be a scorer on the perimeter, he’ll be an asset for Detroit in Stan Van Gundy’s system.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.
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2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.
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Tim Hardaway Jr. couldn’t break into the Knicks’ rotation last season, but he’s making a strong case to do so for next year already. Averaging 22.8 points per game while shooting over 38 percent from three, Hardaway could spark new life in New York as a perimeter scorer.

1. Glen Rice Jr.

1. Glen Rice Jr.
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1. Glen Rice Jr.

1. Glen Rice Jr.
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The kind of production from Glen Rice Jr. in Summer League is something almost no one could have fully expected. The second-year wing has done it all as he put up 25 points, 7.8 boards, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game on 46.9 percent shooting and 36.1 percent three-point shooting. As the Wiz look to take another leap, Rice Jr. could be an asset in helping to do just that.

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