Top 50 players to watch at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

Every July, all 30 teams cram into two gyms in Las Vegas and we collectively overreact to basketball games that will be forgotten by Halloween. And yet, Summer League matters because it’s the one place where every fanbase, from the contenders to the doomed, gets to squint at a 19-year-old and think, “Hey, he’s gonna be a guy for us!”

Here are the 50 players I’ll be watching, including one player from every team. Some are star rookies. Others are second-year guys who need to show something. A handful are just fighting for a chance in the league.

1. Darryn Peterson, Jazz rookie guard

Peterson’s lone Kansas season was a medical drama with a hamstring strain, mysterious cramps, and 11 frustrating absences. So naturally, he showed up in Salt Lake City and reminded everyone why he was still the second pick: 28 in his debut against Atlanta, including a 3 to answer a fourth-quarter push and another to break a tie in overtime. Two days later, 25 points and 12 assists against Memphis. The guy with the cramps appears gone. The high school phenom has returned.

In high school, he was a dynamic playmaker who used his burst to get into the teeth of defenses and generate buckets for himself and his teammates, while also showing off the kind of shot-making that draws comparisons to Hall of Famers. At Kansas, he thrived in an off-ball role, stroking jumpers out of movement actions and showing he can scale up or down depending on what a roster needs. With Utah, he appears to be combining both of those skills to so far look like the star of the summer. Will this run continue? On Thursday night, he’ll face off against the one player drafted ahead of him.

2. AJ Dybantsa, Wizards rookie forward

Dybantsa could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators, but he’s already under pressure entering his Summer League debut on Thursday with a matchup against Darryn Peterson, who is looking like a superstar for Utah, and with the third pick, Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, resembling a veteran All-Star.

But for Wizards fans feeling panicked, just remember who Dybantsa is: At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point-forward potential. The native of Brockton, Mass., has a tremendously high floor with his scoring skill alone that gives the Wizards a face of the franchise to build around and the ceiling to be a future MVP. And on Thursday, he’ll face off against Peterson, his potential rival for years to come.

3. Caleb Wilson, Bulls rookie big

Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He’s 6-9 with springs for legs. When he’s flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. That’s exactly what the Bulls need in the frontcourt. But in Las Vegas, it’s going to be fascinating to see how effectively he shoots the ball from midrange and from 3.

Sources said Wilson shot the hell out of the ball in pre-draft workouts. If that translates to games, it changes the idea of what he could become on the offensive end of the floor given his existing skills as a ball-handler. Even without the jumper, though, he has star upside. But the addition of that skill could vault him into a territory to contend for annual All-NBA teams. 

4. Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies rookie forward

Boozer was selected with the third pick with the expectations of being the most polished player in the class, and that’s exactly what he looked like in his debut games playing in the Salt Lake City Summer League. At 6-8 and 253 pounds, Boozer scores from the post with both footwork and power, hits 40% of his 3s on high volume and has enough handle to run offense as a point forward. He shifts between those modes based on what the defense gives him, and that adaptability led to a 35-win season at Duke and the Naismith Player of the Year.

5. Darius Acuff, Kings rookie guard

Acuff shot 16 for 48 in his two games in the California Classic to go along with seven assists to five turnovers. But the summer is for trying things out and it’d be foolish to overreact to inefficient exhibition games. Moving forward to Vegas, Acuff will get the chance to show why Sacramento was so infatuated with him as a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle and a feel for manipulating defenses.

6. Aday Mara, Thunder rookie big

Mara stepped on UCLA’s campus as a lottery-projected center from Spain. Then he fell off draft boards during two forgettable seasons there before transferring to Michigan and becoming one of the best true 5s in the country on his way to winning the national championship. And now he’s in Oklahoma City and will serve as a vital piece in future battles against Victor Wembanyama. He reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands, and swats shots with elite timing. The complication is he doesn’t shoot from outside and makes below 60% of his free throws, so it’ll be curious to see how he shoots the ball this summer. The Thunder seemingly have a way of turning shaky shooters into reliable shooters. If Mara figures out how to shoot, it’ll be a nightmare for the NBA. Even if he doesn’t, well, the Thunder are already a nightmare.

7. Mikel Brown, Nets rookie guard

Egor Dëmin looks like he’s too good for Summer League, so he probably won’t play long for Brooklyn. But his new rookie teammate should. When Brown is in the zone, he has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, an ambidextrous finishing ability, and the quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February after a back injury dogged him all freshman year and then ended his year later in the month. The absences leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until he proves he’s fully healthy.

8. Nate Ament, Bucks rookie forward

Ament was unable to play in the California Classic because the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with Miami wasn’t official. But he was added to the roster on Wednesday, and should now be good to go for Vegas. Ament was a love him or hate him prospect, so it’ll be fascinating to see how he performs. The Bucks took him because players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. Over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius that Milwaukee landed him with the 13th pick as the first draft pick to join the team in return for Giannis.

9. Ebuka Okorie, Pistons rookie guard

It’s been a dud of an offseason so far in Detroit. But Okorie could change reviews for it with a big summer. The Pistons took him because they badly needed more creation alongside Cade Cunningham, and Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. He’s not an above-the-rim athlete, though, and not long ago he was a kid from New Hampshire who ranked outside the top 100 and committed to Harvard. Then Stanford found him, he flipped his commitment, and he proceeded to lead the ACC in scoring with eight 30-point games and a habit for hitting clutch shots.

10. Keaton Wagler, Clippers rookie guard

The post-Kawhi Leonard era will largely hinge on how Wagler translates to the NBA. If things go as smoothly as they did in college, we could be in for a show in Vegas. At Illinois, Wagler quickly became the orchestrator of a high-powered offense with his high-IQ playmaking and crafty scoring, and led the team to an unexpected Final Four appearance. On the Clippers, he’ll be sharing the ball with Darius Garland. This summer, I’ll be curious to see how he plays alongside promising young Clippers like Kobe Sanders, a big wing who can handle.

11. Kingston Flemings, Hawks rookie guard

Flemings didn’t shoot particularly well in Salt Lake City. But he did have 14 assists to only a pair of turnovers while showing off the explosive first step and the passing vision of a true point guard who can run an offense. In Vegas, Hawks fans will hope to see him show off the midrange touch (and deeper range) that made him a skilled scorer at Houston. After all, the big question is whether his scoring package translates against NBA length and spacing, or whether opposing scouts figure him out the same way late-season defenses did. Still, he brings incredible effort and passion to the floor and will likely maximize whatever he’s going to become.

12. Morez Johnson, Mavericks rookie big

In some ways, Summer League isn’t made for a guy like Johnson. He’s the beyond-the-box-score player who sets the bone-crushing screen that springs the star, blows up an opponent’s action, and dives for loose balls. He’s a winning player through and through. That said, I can’t wait to see how that style translates to these exhibitions. How will Dallas use him? He transferred from Illinois to Michigan and became the connective tissue of the national champions as a 251-pound wrecking ball with surprisingly soft hands and the defensive IQ to guard 1 through 5 in a switch-heavy scheme. Will he screen and roll on offense? Will they use him as a spot-up shooter? On defense, will he defend wings? Will he play drop coverage? He can do it all. Maybe we’ll see it all in Vegas.

13. Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors rookie forward

While Warriors fans are waiting to find out about the future of Draymond Green and the decision by LeBron James, they’ve been able to enjoy The Dominican LeBron at the California Classic. Lendeborg shot the hell out of it, and showed off some of the role versatility that made him such an appealing prospect to Golden State with the 11th pick. He fills the stat sheet, he can play multiple positions, and he has a 7-4 wingspan at 240 pounds with a genuine handle. He’ll be 24 as a rookie, but that aspect could be appealing to Steve Kerr, who re-signed for a two-year deal. Yaxel comes in ready. The next step in Vegas is showing progress on defense, because as polished as he looked offensively he was as raw on defense.

14. Henri Veesaar, Hawks rookie big

Veesaar fell to the Hawks with the 52nd pick, in part because his agency steered him in that direction toward a team that would give him a guaranteed contract instead of a two-way deal. But still, there was a strong expectation entering the draft that Veesaar, an agile big with real shooting touch, would be a first-rounder. Now he’ll get his first chance to prove those teams wrong for passing on him in the 20s. He has connective playmaking, baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs, and he also offers rim protection.

15. Cedric Coward, Grizzlies second-year wing

Coward was one of my favorite prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he’s the only player to be named to the All-Rookie First Team to play this summer. In Salt Lake City, he struggled to shoot, making only six of his 20 3-point attempts. After a stellar rookie year, we already know he can handle secondary creation, crash the boards, and defend across positions. But finding his shot will be a priority in Vegas after making only 34% of his 3s as a rookie.

16. Brayden Burries, Bucks rookie guard

Burries arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four. He started slow in California, too, struggling to score the ball from all levels. But he’s a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from everywhere, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. He’s a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip. Vegas is a chance to offer optimism that it’s for real.

17. Sergio De Larrea, Mavericks rookie wing

De Larrea won the Spanish League title, and now he makes his way to America to join the Mavericks. The Spaniard is a tall, playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role with the Mavericks and end up one of the steals of the draft class.

18. Dailyn Swain, Bulls rookie wing

Swain is relentless getting to the rim, creative as a finisher, and active enough defensively to project as a switchable wing. But the reason he lives at the rim is because his jump shot is genuinely terrible. He has stiff mechanics, bad percentages, and a reluctance to even attempt it that goes all the way back to high school. I interviewed him before the draft and he said he grew up a knockdown shooter. Well, let’s see if he can return to his younger form starting in Vegas.

19. Mo Diawara, Knicks second-year forward

Diawara was taken with the 51st pick one year ago, then played 69 games deep off New York’s bench while excelling whenever he was provided extended chances. At 6-9, he made 37% of his 3s and showed off the ability to attack in a straight line. Diawara was so good that Knicks fans were (half-jokingly) afraid to talk about him out of fear that other teams would take notice and steal him away this summer. Well, the Knicks signed him to a four-year, $10 million contract and now he’ll get a chance to put his skills on display for everyone to see and for Knicks fans to freely rave about. 

20. Noa Essengue, Bulls second-year forward

Remember Essengue? Of course you do:

Johnny Furphy on Noa Essengue pic.twitter.com/Mom22KXnnK

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) July 14, 2025

Essengue will get another chance at a first impression after getting posterized by Johnny Furphy last summer, then losing his entire rookie season after two games thanks to shoulder surgery. But at 6-10, Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. The Bulls wanted to take a swing on him for good reason. Hopefully he starts showing why.

21. Cameron Carr, Lakers rookie wing

Carr was one of the best rookies at the California Classic, scoring 16.7 points per game on 41% from 3. He hit 3s off movement, jumpers off the dribble, and got to the rim with regularity. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. And with 3-and-D talent, he has the potential to be a supportive role player to Luka Dončić even as a rookie.

22. Labaron Philon, Sixers rookie guard

Philon is a shifty, score-first point guard who blossomed into one of the best guards in college basketball as a sophomore. He doubled his scoring output with buttery floaters, a deceptive handle, and a feel for running an offense, while also beginning to shore up the shooting questions that once clouded his projection. But Philon is also a below-the-rim athlete and is listed under 180 pounds, so his slight frame remains the one thing standing between him and stardom. We’ll get our first chance to see how he adjusts to NBA physicality this month in Vegas.

23. Ryan Conwell, Heat rookie guard

Conwell was drafted with the 37th pick and signed a two-way contract, but if LeBron James doesn’t return to Miami he could end up a pretty important part of the rotation. Miami badly needs shot creation in the backcourt after dumping nearly everything to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee, and Conwell began to show the signs of what he can offer during the California Classic. He comes to the league with experience. By the end of his senior year he was the leading scorer for the Cardinals at 18.8 points per game as a knockdown shooter with deep range and a bruiser at the rim who absorbs contact like a fullback. My top comparison for him? Norm Powell, who shined this year with the Heat but signed with the Bulls in free agency. Maybe Conwell can fill those shoes as a rookie.

24. Tre Johnson, Wizards second-year guard

Johnson was selected sixth by the Wizards one year ago and he was rock solid as a rookie, averaging 12.2 points on 36% from 3. But for a player who scored at a high level in high school and college, he had only two games with over 20 points. It would be encouraging if he pops in Las Vegas.

25. Tidjane Salaün, Hornets third-year forward

Salaün was a dart throw by a brand new Hornets front office in 2024. He did nothing notable as a rookie, then played only 37 games as a sophomore. At 6-10 with bouncy athleticism, it’s about time for him to start showing some major development. Or else chances will continue to dwindle.

26. Allen Graves, Raptors rookie forward

Graves was a point guard before a late growth spurt, and the floor skills carried over when he sprouted to 6-8. He came off the bench at Santa Clara as a redshirt freshman and quietly became one of the most efficient producers in college basketball. But he lacks great athleticism and struggled against the limited top competition he faced. It’ll be interesting to see how his game translates with Toronto.

27. Zuby Ejiofor, Hawks rookie forward

Ejiofor had 19 points and 15 rebounds in his second summer league game, looking very much like the player he was at St. John’s: A senior who was the unanimous Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament MVP, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Ejiofor found success with foundational skills: motor, length and defensive versatility. The question with Ejiofor is the fact he’s undersized for a center and his jumper is still a work in progress. But if Ejiofor pans out, the Hawks could have the ability to toss out tons of lineup configurations with different guard, wing, and big combinations.

28. Kasparas Jakučionis, Bucks second-year guard

Jakučionis received only limited opportunities as a rookie in Miami, but he could end up the crown jewel of the trade for Giannis. He’s a slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability. As a freshman in college, he carved up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. He’d follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derailed the hype train, which played into why he slipped to the 20th pick in 2025. But he raised his assist-to-turnover ratio from 1.3 in college to 2.7 as a rookie. Maybe we’ll see him continue to ascend this summer with Milwaukee.

29. Koa Peat, Suns rookie forward

The Suns traded into the first round to select Peat, who played both high school and college ball in Arizona. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year on its way to the Final Four as a powerful, physical, and relentless force. Between Peat and Rasheer Fleming — who Suns summer league head coach Chaisson Allen said is up to 250 pounds — Phoenix could have the most bruising frontcourt this summer.

30. Tarris Reed, Spurs rookie big

With Victor Wembanyama looking fatigued in the NBA Finals, maybe the Spurs saw reason to bolster the frontcourt rotation to alleviate the load off him by selecting Jayden Quaintance with the 20th pick then Reed. Quaintance is still sidelined, but we will see Reed this summer. He is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker.

31. Joan Beringer, Timberwolves second-year big

With the Timberwolves reshaping their roster this offseason, Beringer could be forced into a bigger role next season playing behind Rudy Gobert. He’s a high-flyer who dunked on 34 of his 70 makes last season. On defense, he has the quickness of a guard and incredible verticality. But Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which makes him a raw project that couldn’t earn Chris Finch’s trust last summer. Now’s an opportunity to show off improved discipline for an audition to play heavier minutes next year.

32. Will Riley, Wizards second-year wing

Riley is 6-9 with a handle, which made him a bright spot as a Wizards rookie after getting selected with the 20th pick. But with Trae Young at point guard, and now AJ Dybantsa on the roster, Riley will need to display some more role-playing skills to share the ball. He made only 31% of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a rookie. Has he progressed? Let’s see it in Vegas.

33. Meleek Thomas, Cavaliers rookie guard

Thomas is a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn’t get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how he’ll deal with NBA physicality at 190 pounds — that’s why he fell into the second round for the Cavaliers to nab.

34. Zhaire Smith, Lakers fourth-year wing

You remember Zhaire Smith as the guy Philly grabbed on draft night in 2018 by trading away Mikal Bridges, the hometown kid whose mom worked for the team, who was literally mid-press-conference in a Sixers hat when the trade went down. Smith broke his foot that summer, then spent six weeks in the hospital because of a severe sesame allergy that caused him to lose 60 pounds. And now? He made 38% of his 3s over the past three G League seasons combined and is trying to make an NBA comeback. Could he stick on somebody’s bench? Sure, maybe! Will any Sixers fan scrolling this list feel anything besides draft-night pain? No.

35. Chris Cenac, Celtics rookie big

Cenac checks every box on paper as a superb athlete who moves like a wing, has the length to alter shots, and shoots from the perimeter. Houston handed him a starting role with national title aspirations and trusted him with heavy minutes. But the Cougars fell short again, in part because Cenac struggled to stay out of foul trouble, couldn’t score efficiently, and was overeager to play on the perimeter despite having the body of a bruiser. Let’s see if he can begin to meet his former lottery expectations this summer with Boston.

36. Jase Richardson, Magic second-year guard

The Magic really need a perimeter spark. Could it be Richardson? He didn’t get much of a chance as a rookie, but he did make 40% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and 47% of his pull-up 2s. As a skilled combo guard with a poised pick-and-roll feel, he might have something that he can offer the Magic. Time to prove it.

37. Bruce Thornton, Rockets rookie guard

The Rockets traded up to acquire Thornton from the Knicks, giving them a third small guard alongside Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard. Could this make Sheppard, the third pick in 2024, more expendable? Perhaps so, because Thornton is a three-level scorer with playmaking feel and the competitive fire that lifts a locker room.

38. Braden Smith, Pacers rookie guard

Tyrese Haliburton will be back next year. Andrew Nembhard handles the ball plenty. And T.J. McConnell remains one of the game’s best backup guards. However, McConnell is 34, so adding Smith feels like they took a successor for that Sixth Man role. Smith left Purdue as the NCAA’s all-time assists leader, breaking a 33-year-old record. He’s arguably the highest-IQ player in the draft who could orchestrate an offense at the college level while also providing scoring off the bounce. And yet, he’s only on a two-way contract with the Pacers.

39. Trevon Brazile, Nuggets rookie forward

Brazile was a projected first-rounder before tearing his ACL nine games into his sophomore year at Arkansas, and the next two years were spent rebuilding the explosiveness that made him a prospect in the first place. He finally put it together as a fifth-year senior with a career year anchoring Arkansas’ defense. His long wingspan, explosive vertical, switchability, and perimeter jumper will immediately inject much-needed athleticism into Denver’s frontcourt.

40. Jaron Pierre, Pelicans rookie wing

Pierre is an athletic wing who scores from all three levels, hits 40% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and tends to make the right decisions off the dribble. But he needs to put greater effort into his defense to earn minutes in New Orleans for reasons other than his scoring. Now’s the time to start showing his hustle.

41. Yang Hansen, Trail Blazers second-year big

The Trail Blazers shocked the world by selecting Yang Hansen with the 16th pick one year ago, and then he proceeded to play only 43 games of mostly garbage-time minutes. And in that time he shot 31% from the floor with more turnovers (32) than made shots (31). Now would be a good time to start showing some progress.

42. Maxime Raynaud, Kings second-year big

Raynaud ranks 42nd on this list in part to honor the spot he was selected (and stolen) by the Kings one year ago. Raynaud ranked in my top 20 because of his 3-point shooting prowess, at-rim athleticism, and shot-blocking potential. So it remains baffling that he fell as far as he did. But after being named to the All-Rookie Second Team, he gets another chance to prove why everyone was wrong to let him slide. 

43. Baba Miller, Clippers rookie forward

The Clippers are building quite the athletic frontcourt after taking Yanic Konan Niederhauser last year, and now Miller, who has perimeter skill with the way he can handle in the open floor, make advanced moves, and switch across positions on defense. The big issue, and the main reason why he spent four years in college, is that he still can’t shoot. Let’s hope we start to see a fix this summer.

44. Dillon Mitchell, Celtics rookie wing

Mitchell showed up at Texas as a McDonald’s All-American, and back then it looked like a jump shot was the only thing standing between him and stardom. Four years and three schools later, the jumper is still nonexistent. And yet, the Celtics took him with the 40th pick because he finishes everything around the rim, wrecks games on defense, and blossomed into a high-feel passer as a senior at St. John’s. I can’t wait to see how he’s utilized this summer, and if he begins to flash a solid spot-up jumper then he has big-time steal upside.

45. Tyler Bilodeau, Nets rookie forward

Bilodeau made seven of his 12 3-pointers at the California Classic, which could be a preview of what’s to come in Vegas then the NBA. With his 6-7 frame, he made 48% of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a senior. There are no questions about his offense. The Nets will want to see how he survives as a defender, which is truly the biggest question about his ability to make it in the modern NBA.

46. Vsevolod Ishchenko, Mavericks rookie guard

Ishchenko is a fluid guard with an excellent shot off the catch with deep range. The Russian league is a much lower level of competition, which makes it hard to project his NBA future. We’ll get a good test in Las Vegas to see how his handle out of pick-and-rolls begins to translate. At 6-8 with a 7-foot wingspan and a wide frame, he has the body to be a quality defender. If the Mavericks nailed this pick, the new front office led by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz can flex forever.

47. Alijah Martin, Raptors second-year guard

Martin spent his rookie season on a two-way deal and got rewarded with a two-year, $4.8 million deal this summer. Why after playing just 23 games of garbage time with Toronto? Well, because of his 25 games of looking like an elite two-way role player in the G League. Martin scored 18.4 points per game and shot 38% from 3 while ripping down 5.2 boards and setting a defensive tone. Don’t be surprised if he’s playing regular minutes for the Raptors next season. And don’t be surprised if that starts to become clear in Las Vegas. 

48. Zyon Pullin, Timberwolves third-year guard

Pullin made his mark at Florida as a game-managing point guard who could splash 3s, reliably run the offense, and offer size on defense. Not much has changed in the NBA, as he looked like that same type of player last year for Minnesota’s G League team. Pullin posted a 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio while making over 50% of his 3s, and if he had played more games he could have made an All G League case over guys who earned NBA contracts like Alijah Martin and Ron Harper Jr. A good summer could help his case.

49. Mark Sears, Nuggets second-year guard

Sears was a consensus first-team All-American at Alabama, went undrafted because he’s small, and then his rookie year with the Bucks ended when he was waived in January before his salary became guaranteed. Now he’s in Vegas with the Nuggets with another chance to prove that the guy who dropped 34 points on BYU in the Sweet 16 can still get buckets in the NBA.

50. Robbie Avila, Lakers rookie big

Every Summer League needs one guy the crowd adopts, and this year it’s the 6-10 center in goggles they call Cream Abdul-Jabbar. He’s a 255-pound big who passes like a guard, shoots from deep, and once led Indiana State to 32 wins, the most in program history for any team that didn’t have Larry Bird on it. Avila went undrafted because he moves like Bird does today. But he’s fun, and Summer League is all about fun.