The Las Vegas Summer League has come to a close. The Miami Heat won the championship after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 in overtime.
Rookie Kel’el Ware (15th overall) has played every game for the Heat and had 21 points, 10 rebounds and a block in the last game. He appears to be a perfect fit in Miami, providing extra protection at the rim alongside Bam Adebayo and looking fluid in the pick-and-roll.
Unlike Ware, most of the top rookies ended their seasons during Summer League, playing just three games. While the sample size was small, teams and fans should be excited to see some players added. Here are some all-too-early rookie rankings after Summer League and heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
Project location: 3
Sheppard played four games for the Rockets and showed some NBA-level shooting ability. He took some great shots and showed off his long three-point range. He was also consistent from mid-range, rising for jump shots in the lane on high ball screens.
A 6-foot-2 point guard, Sheppard uses his 6-foot-3 wingspan to his advantage on defense, getting shots in space, getting deflections and blocking shots. His minutes during the regular season may not come immediately as he plays behind Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet, but he has shown that he can make a positive impact on the game on both ends of the floor. Sheppard averaged 20 points and 5.3 assists per game during Summer League.
Project location: 4
Castle only played one game in Vegas after suffering a wrist injury, but it was enough to show he can be productive as a point guard. In his lone Summer League game, Castle finished with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes, while his outside shooting looked promising with signs of improvement.
Castle’s defense is what sets him apart from the other guards in this rookie class. He can contain the perimeter and keep opposing guards in front of him. It’s easy to see how he and Victor Wembanyama can anchor the Spurs’ defense this season, while Castle also has the speed and court vision to lead counterattacks and allow Wembanyama to get more touches on the ball.
Castle will play behind Chris Paul and will have the opportunity to learn about the different facets of the NBA game from a seasoned veteran.
Draft Location: 11
Buzelis entered Summer League with a bit of a grudge after being traded to No. 11 despite being projected much higher in the pre-draft process. In the first few games, he showed the other teams that passed on him what they lacked: the ability to play above the basket and better shot creation off the rebound.
The 2.05 m hybrid wing had one of the best dunks of the Summer League and is confidently launching into his three-pointers, hitting four against the Warriors and finishing with 28 points. Buzelis played in all five games for the Bulls, averaging 16.4 points and 4.2 rebounds.
4. Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Draft Location: 15
Three centers were selected ahead of Ware in the draft, and while it’s still early, he appears to be the best big man in this class given the way the NBA game is played. He’s played smoothly in pick-and-rolls and even made a few pops and hit three-pointers. He’s also shown that he can protect the switch on the perimeter and is an elite rim protector.
Ware, 20, is averaging 18.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks through eight games and still has plenty of room for improvement, particularly in dribbling and finding teammates quickly when double-guarding comes.
Draft Location: 14
The Wizards may have selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick, but their real star appears to be Carrington. The 6-foot-1 guard from Pittsburgh is one of the youngest players in the rookie class, having turned 19 on July 21, and has emerged as one of the best guards on the court through five games in Las Vegas. A level-three scorer, Carrington has averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Bub Carrington in Wizards’ Summer League
15.8 points per game
7.4 RPG
5.2 APGTop 10 in all 3 categories among beginners
He’s shown huge flashes of potential and looks like a great late lottery pick! pic.twitter.com/9Y7xDrhQOW
— All NBA (@TheAllNBA) July 21, 2024
While he was prone to turnovers in stretches, Carrington limited his mistakes as the tournament wore on and grew more comfortable with the speed of the game. With the Wizards still in a rebuilding phase, he’s going to get plenty of early reps as the franchise’s primary point guard. Sheppard and Castle were picked in the top five for a reason, but Carrington is the underdog for Rookie of the Year.
Project Location: 1
Risacher, the first overall pick, played just two games in Summer League and was pretty solid, averaging 14.5 points and five rebounds. The 2.05-m wing played over 50 games for JL Bourg before joining the NBA and the two-game rest was most likely a precautionary measure as the Hawks wanted to avoid any injuries.
Before the draft, Risacher was known as a three-point shooter, but he struggled to adjust to the NBA’s three-point line and the pace of the game, going just 1-of-7 from three-point range in his second game. If he starts making that shot consistently, Risacher will be a great option for Trae Young on the wing.
Draft Location: 27
Shannon was one of the best scorers in college basketball last season and carried that quality into Summer League, where he averaged 22 points in the first two games. The left-hander was excellent downhill and played well next to Rob Dillingham (the No. 8 pick) in the backcourt.
Shannon is one of the oldest players in this rookie class at 23, but his experience should allow him to prove himself early. The 6-foot-2 point guard is expected to play as a backup for the Timberwolves early this season.
Draft Location: 7
It took Clingan a few games to get used to the pace and sturdiness of the NBA game. But he was the best blocker of all players, averaging 4.2 in four games played, and he was especially impressive in rebounding, grabbing 12.2 boards per game. He dropped a few passes in traffic, but that will improve as the season progresses as he plays alongside Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.
Draft Location: 10
Williams, the younger brother of Thunder forward Jalen Williams, has improved over the course of the games in Las Vegas. He showed flashes of playmaking and the ability to get to the basket over seven games. His best offensive performance came in a win over the Mavericks, where he recorded 21 points and four assists.
Before the draft, teams knew it would take him a season or two to fully develop his game, but they were encouraged to know he was further along than his brother at 19. His NBA comparison is Jaden McDaniels with his size and defensive versatility.
10. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Draft Location: 9
Edey only played one full game in the Summer League after suffering injuries to both ankles. In his first game in the Salt Lake City Summer League, Edey finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks.
His durability, at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, will be a concern as the season progresses, but if he can stay healthy, his impact in the end zone will be immediate for the Grizzlies. Once he gets both feet in the paint, Edey is tough to contain, and defensively, he’s a beast when teams don’t extend beyond the 3-point line.