Summer Standouts: Jabari Smith Jr., Dereon Seabron, Colin Castleton show out on Day 3
Victor Wembanyama shines in his second Summer League game, dropping a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double while adding 3 blocks.
Day 3 of NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas witnessed some of the league’s best rising talents putting on a show. From Victor Wembanyama’s bounce back to Jabari Smith Jr. putting on a scoring clinic, it was a thrill to watch.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
After an adjustment game in his Summer League debut, it took only the next tipoff for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick to remind everyone why this draft was a no-doubter at the top spot. The touch was back (27 points; 9-14 FGs, 2-4 3PM) and Wembanyama also pulled down 12 boards and blocked another three shots for good measure. A healthy 27-minute run that served notice it’s about to be an impactful season in San Antonio.
THROW IT DOWN VICTOR! @vicw_32 | #SummerSpurs pic.twitter.com/0YEbkGlFHz
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 10, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
The 2022 No. 3 overall pick decided to play in Summer League because he felt he wasn’t above it. In a game full of rising talent on both teams, Jabari Smith Jr. continued his stellar play after delivering a buzzer-beater on Saturday.
Big Shot Bari @jabarismithjr pic.twitter.com/5Y49saCTch
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 9, 2023
Smith Jr. tallied a season-high for Summer League with 38 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. He shot efficiently from the field (52.0%) and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line (9-10 FTs). The incoming second-year player contributed on both sides of the ball with one steal and one block.
Tyrese Martin, Atlanta Hawks
Tyrese Martin pulls up for deep 3-pointer
A second-round pick from the 2022 Draft, Martin struggled in his rookie season to find the shooting stroke that vaulted him onto NBA radars as a senior at Connecticut. He rediscovered it on Sunday, shooting 8-for-12 overall and 3-for-6 from deep for 21 points in Atlanta’s 98-93 win over Denver. Martin did his damage in just under 25 minutes, a welcome sight for a Hawks franchise in the middle retooling its roster.
Dereon Seabron, New Orleans Pelicans
After going undrafted in 2022, Seabron became a two-way prospect for a Pelicans team trying to solidify its footing in the Western Conference. Seabron’s aggression could become an ingredient in that endeavor.
Dyson DISH. Seabron FINISH.
HOOPIN' pic.twitter.com/CzFMYiDEIM
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 10, 2023
The 6-foot-7 swingman was relentless attacking the rim on Sunday, making all eight of his field goal attempts in the paint while shooting 9-for-13 from the free throw line. Just as impressive was Seabron committing just two turnovers despite all his forays to the basket.
Collin Castelton, Los Angeles Lakers
Colin Castleton Posts 21 points & 14 rebounds vs. Charlotte Hornets, 07/09/2023
A springy 6-foot-11 center, Castelton earned a two-way deal with the Lakers after averaging 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while earning USA Today honors as SEC Defensive Player of the Year for Florida as a fifth-year senior. On Sunday, he was aggressive early on – scoring 14 points in the 1st half – before hunkering down to add 7 points and 9 rebounds during the Lakers’ 2nd-half surge against the Hornets. The final line landed at 21 points (8-13 FGs), 14 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal against a single turnover in 27 minutes.
