2025 NBA Las Vegas Summer League wrap up.

The Hoop Obsession NBA Summer League wrap up - By Bobby Gerould

July 25, 2025. The Las Vegas Summer League presents a starkly different stage from the high-stakes drama of the NBA regular season and playoffs. The superstars who define the league’s spotlight are absent, replaced by a mix of promising rookies, second-year pros, and relentless veterans still chasing their basketball dreams well into their 20s. While it lacks the star power of the NBA’s main calendar, Summer League stands far above the college game in speed, physicality, and professional polish. It’s a proving ground, —raw, unpredictable, and singular. For anyone serious about the future of the NBA, it’s essential viewing.

In an eleven day span between Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, 76 games were played.

We’re in Las Vegas every year, and experience has taught us that the national media often misses the real story. After each day’s slate of games, we comb through every box score and produce a concise report highlighting the true standouts—regardless of name recognition. This daily grind, repeated night after night, year after year, combined with the deep evaluation work we do at Hoop Obsession, has sharpened our understanding of the professional basketball landscape and strengthened our trust in what we see. Every summer there are players that will distinguish themselves in a way that gains traction among scouts. Likewise, some players will prove to be what you were afraid they might be.

Quinton Jackson stood out in Las Vegas.

Officially, Kyle Filipowski was named the MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League. He played well, no question. But Filipowski only played three games in Vegas for the Utah Jazz. As we do annually, we made our own All-Summer League Team(s), and named our own HoopObsession MVP.

MVP – Isaac Jones, Kings.
Jones brought energy, athleticism, and consistent production across six games for a Kings squad that reached the Summer League title game before falling to the Hornets. He averaged 18.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest, showcasing efficiency around the rim (64% FG) and a developing perimeter game, hitting 3-of-9 from deep (33%). Just as impressive, he converted 82% of his free throws—an encouraging sign for a big man with two-way potential.

First Team All-Summer League: Javon Freeman-Liberty - Bulls. David Jones-Garcia - Spurs. Jordan Miller - L.A. Clippers. Isaac Jones - Kings. Tolu Smith - Pistons.

Second Team All-Summer League: KJ Simpson - Hornets. Nique Clifford - Kings. Jaylen Sims - Hornets. Enrique Freeman - Pacers. Ryan Kalkbrenner - Hornets.

Third Team All-Summer League: Curtis Jones - Nuggets. Cody Williams - Jazz. Cole Swider - Lakers. Nae’Qwan Tomlin - Cavs. Charles Bassey - Celtics.

How did the “lottery” picks perform?

Cooper Flagg - Mavs. Flagg played 62 minutes, appearing in just two games. The sample size is too small to draw conclusions, not to mention that Dallas had Flagg playing out of position as a primary ball-handler. Any way you slice the numbers, Flagg was not good in Las Vegas. He shot 35.7% FG, 21.4% 3-pt., and 57.1% FT. We are not worried.

Flagg was held out after playing two games.

Dylan Harper - Spurs. Harper saw 44 minutes of action over two games and faced a steep learning curve. He shot just 10-for-28 from the field and finished with more turnovers (7) than assists (4), reflecting the early growing pains often seen in young guards adjusting to the pro pace.

V.J. Edgecombe - Sixers. Only one game was the extent of Edgecombe’s Vegas Summer. He didn’t shoot well in that game (4-14 FG, 1-6 3-pt.), but he did contribute six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. He made all six of his free throws.

Kon Knueppel – Hornets. Knueppel delivered exactly what was expected: smart, steady play as a key contributor on a championship-winning squad. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, filling his role with poise and versatility. While his shooting efficiency dipped below his usual standards (40.6% FG, 34.3% from three, 73.7% FT), Knueppel’s feel for the game and ability to impact multiple areas remained evident throughout Summer League play.

Ace Bailey - Jazz. Bailey sat out the entire Las Vegas Summer League due to hip soreness.

Tre Johnson - Wizards. Johnson suited up for just two games, but he made a strong impression. He averaged 19.5 points while shooting an efficient 58.3% from the field and 45.5% from three. Despite a few missed free throws (60% FT), his scoring touch and composure stood out in limited action.

Jeremiah Fears - Pelicans. Fears scored 17.4 points per game in five games. Other than that, he really struggled in Las Vegas. He had 25 turnovers and only 13 assists. Not exactly Point Guard material. Fears shot 40% FG, 18.2% 3-pt., and 71.9% FT.

Egor Demin - Nets. Demin logged three games and showed promise as a perimeter shooter, hitting 43.5% from beyond the arc. However, his overall efficiency was lacking. He recorded more turnovers than assists and drew just two free throw attempts over 75 minutes, highlighting areas that need polish as he adjusts to the pro level.

Collin Murray-Boyles - Raptors. “CMB” was solid. He made 57% of his field goal attempts, although he only made two of nine of his three-balls. He continued to show a knack for being at the right place defensively.

"CMB" was featured on the wall graphics on the concourse.

Khaman Maluach - Suns. Maluach struggled mightily in Las Vegas, raising real concerns about his NBA readiness. Once ranked sixth on our draft board, his Summer League showing has cast serious doubt on that projection. Over three games (70 total minutes), he looked unsettled and out of rhythm, shooting just 35.7% from the field, 23.1% from three, and 43.8% at the free throw line. He finished with one assist and seven turnovers. While the sample size is limited, Maluach’s live performance did not resemble that of a lottery pick.

Cedric Coward - Grizzlies. Coward did not play as he continued to recover from a shoulder injury.

Noa Essengue - Bulls. At just 18 years old, Essengue showed flashes of belonging at the professional level, even if his overall performance in Las Vegas was uneven. He shot 41.9% from the field, 26.7% from three, and 61.5% at the line, while recording two assists against nine turnovers. The efficiency wasn’t there, but the tools and poise suggest a foundation worth developing.

Derik Queen - Hawks. I thought Queen looked okay in the three games he played. He averaged 14 points, and eleven rebounds per game. Like many of the rookies, the speed of the game led to turnovers that were purely from not making the necessary adjustment to how fast the game is at this level. Queen had seven assists but coughed up 17 turnovers.

Carter Bryant - Spurs. Bryant showed clear defensive potential, proving he can hold his own on that end at the NBA level. Offensively, however, he remains extremely raw. Through four Summer League games, he shot just 27.3% from the field and 27.8% from three—though he did convert 83.3% of his free throws. He also posted twice as many turnovers as assists, underscoring how far his offensive game has to go before he can make a meaningful impact for the Spurs.

Confirmations

After Summer League concludes we look back at our notes at players who we already liked that re-affirmed our belief with their play in Las Vegas. At the top of the list is Quinton Jackson. The Pacers guard made winning play after winning play in the ONE game he played in. That was enough for anyone in the Cox Pavilion to see that Jackson should be a rotation player in the NBA. In a come from behind win, Jackson scored 24 points, making eight of his ten field goals. He caused havoc on defense. His quickness, and ability to finish plays were at a level that stood out.

David Jones-Garcia (pictured below) of the Spurs delivered one of the most impressive five-game offensive runs in recent Summer League memory, averaging 21.6 points per game on elite shooting splits, 52.7% from the field, 52.9% from three, and 92.3% at the line. Long known for his decision-making struggles, he showed encouraging signs of growth by balancing his assist-to-turnover ratio. If he can continue to refine that aspect of his game, there’s real potential for him to earn a spot in an NBA rotation.

I think Enrique Freeman is more of a FOUR than a FIVE. In Vegas, the Pacers played small with Freeman as a Center. As he does, he rebounded the ball well (9.6 rebs. per game) but where Freeman really shined was in his efficiency shooting near the rim. He made 29 of his 40 field goal attempts (72.5% FG). Freeman also hit five of nine from three-point land. Decision making and free throw shooting continue to be areas that Freeman needs to improve to crack an NBA rotation. Tuesday, the Pacers withdrew their qualifying offer to Freeman, making him an unrestricted free-agent.

Terrence Shannon Jr. is just a terror with the ball in his hands. He plays at NBA speed, if not faster, and his explosiveness was on full display in Las Vegas. Shannon averaged 22.6 points over three games, shooting an efficient 47.6% from the field, 38.5% from three, and an elite 94.7% from the line. Watching him live in the open floor only reinforced our belief that he's ready to contribute meaningful minutes at the NBA level with greater consistency.

Ron Holland’s instincts on defense are a sight to behold. He has a gift for being a tick ahead. Holland averaged four steals per game in Las Vegas. In three games, Holland averaged 21.6 points. He shot 52.8% FG, 46.7% 3-pt., and 76.9% FT. He put pressure on opposing defenses with his penetration. Holland shot 26 free throws in 89 minutes.

While watching one of the Thunder games, I found myself thinking: “Ajay Mitchell looks too polished for Summer League.” The soon-to-be second-year pro appeared in three games for OKC and looked in full command. He averaged 20 points per game with strong efficiency—shooting 51.4% from the field, 36.4% from three, and 81.8% from the free-throw line. Mitchell’s composure and shot-making suggested he's ready for a bigger role.

Revelations

Every Summer, there are players that gain an up-tick in how my mind views them. Some I simply had never seen play before. Others I had a less than favorable feelings about. I try really hard to not let outside influences label any player. Scouting is a MOVING TARGET. Those with the will to improve will improve. And the timeline for improvement is never the same for each individual. Here are a half-dozen players that revealed themselves in a good way in Vegas.

James Bouknight played the best basketball I’ve seen from him as a pro. I’ve never been particularly high on him. He was taken 11th in the 2021 Draft, but I had him rated lower. That said, the version of Bouknight who showed up in Las Vegas this summer looked like a different player. His shot selection was noticeably more disciplined, and the numbers backed it up: 64.5% from the field, 52.6% from three, and 81.3% at the line. Bouknight has always had the handle and quickness to shake defenders, but he too often settled for difficult looks. This time, he played within himself, and it paid off. Watching him, I couldn’t help but think of Malik Monk, who didn’t find real efficiency until his fourth season. Bouknight has that kind of scoring talent if he continues on this path.

Curtis Jones (photo above) is better than I realized. The undrafted rookie from Iowa State is 23 years-old. His play earned him a two-way contract with the Nuggets. Jones averaged 14.6 points, and 4.4 rebounds per game while showing some Point Guard ability (2.11-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio). He shot 54.9% FG, 46.7% 3-pt.).

Nae’Qwan Tomlin looked every bit like a player capable of cracking an NBA rotation. At 24 years old, he brings energy, athleticism, and a relentless motor, flying up and down the court with purpose. In Las Vegas, Tomlin averaged 19.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 50% from the field, 33% from three, and 85.7% at the line. His combination of size, mobility, and production suggests he’s more than just a Summer League standout. He’s knocking on the door of a rotaional roster spot.

Rayan Rupert is getting better. Rupert, a 21 year-old from France that is headed into year three with the Blazers, flashed fine form with 23 points in a win over the Warriors. In that game he went to the free throw line eleven times, and made all of his shots. He followed that 23 point game with a dud, scoring three points against the Grizzlies. The next game, he busted 24 points. While the consistency wasn’t there, he did have solid numbers across four games. The overall take away for me is that a kid I was SURE wasn’t ready two seasons ago is now getting closer to be a guy in the mix for real minutes.

Jase Richardson is better than I thought. The Orlando Magic 2025 NBA Draft pick (25th overall), showed poise and quick-processing ability that is uncommon for a 19 year-old. He only played two games but it was evident he belongs.

Sometimes the mental uptick is minor but it is an uptick nonetheless. Tolu Smith gets that from me after his play in Vegas. I honestly had never considered him as an NBA Center. He was solid enough that I can now at least entertain that thought. Smith averaged 13 points, eight rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

Statistical standouts. (80 minutes minimum)

Rebounds per minute: Norchad Omier - Cavs .411, Derik Queen - Hawks .405, Tolu Smith - Pistons .372, Dink Pate - Knicks .364, Nelly Joseph - Hawks .363.

Norchad Omier led Summer League in rebounds per minute.

Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: Osayi Osifu 7-to-1, Max Shulga - Celtics 6.33-to-1, G.G. Jackson - Grizzlies 4-to-1, Baylor Scheierman - Celtics 3.86-to-1. Isaiah Stevens - Kings 3.67-to-1.

Points per minute: Kyle Filipowski - Jazz 1.024, David Jones Garcia - Spurs .869, Drew Timme - Nets .824, A.J. Lawson - Raptors .774, Terrence Shannon Jr. .774.

Blocked shots per minute: Christian Koloko - Lakers .148, Chris Ledlum - Rockets .119, Jamarion Sharp - Mavs .112, Joan Beringer - Wolves .108, Tolu Smith - Pistons .102

Three-Point Percentage (15 attempts minimum): Gabe Madsen - Warriors 10-17 (58.8%). Boogie Ellis - Suns 16-28 (57.1%). Jahmir Young - Bulls 9-16 (56.3%). David Jones Garcia 18-34 (52.9%). James Bouknight - Blazers 10-19 (52.6%).

Free throw attempts per minute: Chris Manon - Warriors .354, Phillip Wheeler - Pacers .335, Pelle Larsson - Heat .333, Tolu Smith - Pistons .316, A.J. Lawson - Raptors .303

Notes, Observations, Signings

I was eager to see Taelon Peter, the Pacers second round pick from Liberty. I had not seen him live. What I saw live backed up what I saw on video. He is more than athletic enough to compete in the NBA. He didn’t shoot it well in Vegas but he looked like a player to keep an eye on. …Summer League was sold out on two days during the eleven-day run. ESPN reported a 27% increase in viewership for 2025 Summer League games. …RayJ Dennis impressed me. Between Dennis and Quinton Jackson possibly getting into their rotation, the Pacers may be able to leak less water than most think without Tyrese Haliburton in 2025-26. …One of the coolest things I saw was the Utah Jazz team wearing shooting shirts that all said “LAYDEN #1”, in honor of Frank Layden. (photo below).

…Liam McNeeley, the 29th pick in the NBA Draft, looked sharp for the Hornets in the two games he played. He had no problem adjusting to the speed of the game. I already wish I had ranked him higher than 30th on the Hoop Obsession board. …The Washington Wizards should have been good. On paper, they had rotation players and a lottery pick that had some thinking they could win the rings in Vegas. That didn’t happen. They went 2-3. Big man, Liam Robbins really struggled. A.J. Johnson couldn’t buy a three-pointer. Tre Johnson and Will Riley, the Wizards prized rookies only played in two games. … Chris Livingston was signed to a one year deal to be back with the Bucks. …No player captured the imagination of fans in Vegas more than Yang Hansen from China who was taken in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Blazers. For the record, Yang was solid. He averaged 10.7 points and five rebounds per game in four games. …One of the craziest games I watched was the Hawks comeback win over the Rockets (July 14th). The Rockets were up by 16 points with 3:36 left in the third quarter. They were up ten points with 6:39 left in regulation. What ensued was a clinic in how to blow a lead that included, among other maladies, bad passes, a shot clock violation, and fouling a three-point shooter with ten seconds left, that led to the Hawks making all three foul shots and forcing overtime. Credit Kobe Bufkin and Asa Newell for their stellar play for Atlanta. The Hawks won 111-108. …One of the better individual performances I witnessed came from Tyrese Proctor who scored 35 points against the Kings. Jahmir Young of the Bulls had a 40 point game. The 40 point outing set a Bulls Summer League record for most points scored in a single game. Young was waived Saturday by the Bulls. …Jaden Springer was cut loose by the Jazz. …I continue to be a fan of Anton Watson’s cerebral game. Playing for the Knicks, Watson showed again that he simply knows how to play. He shot 56.7% FG, 41.2% 3-pt., and 80% FT. He only had three turnovers in 81 minutes. …Nate Williams was waived by the Rockets on the opening weekend of play. …Before the Championship Game, the Grizzlies signed PJ Hall to a two-way deal so Hall did not play in the title match. …Following Summer League, Ethan Thompson was waived by the Magic. Christian Koloko signed a two-way contract with the Lakers. Yuki Kawamura signed a two-way deal with the Bulls. Chris Manon signed a two-way deal with the Lakers.

The Charlotte Hornets added their name to the trophy as 2025 champions.

They played well in limited minutes

There are numerous factors influencing a player's playing time in Summer League. Some may have been lower on the team's depth chart, others sidelined due to injuries that cut short their Summer League stint unexpectedly. Additionally, some players were deliberately rested by their teams. Despite these circumstances, players who logged less than 80 minutes overall deserve recognition for making the most of their opportunities and showcasing their skills effectively.

The top 15 in Hoop Obsession Calculation (HOC) among players that played at least 40 minutes but less than 80 minutes: Charles Bassey - Celtics .989, Tyrese Samuel - Nets .897, Javon Small - Grizzlies .863, PJ Hall - Hornets .841, Robert Baker Jr. - Pacers .815, Branden Carlson - Thunder .737, Gabe Madsen - Warriors .727, Dominick Barlow - Sixers .719, Jamaree Bouyea - Bucks .705, Jacob Toppin - Hawks .696, Jase Richardson - Magic .668, Garrison Brooks - Pistons .659, Adama Sonogo - Jazz .657, Mark Armstrong - Sixers .654, Hason Ward - Thunder .648.

Sacramento Kings Summer Observations

The Kings made it to the Summer League Championship game but they fell to the Charlotte Hornets. We really enjoyed the way the Kings Summer team went about their business. Nobody was rested unless they had a legitimate injury. We tip our hat to Summer League Head Coach Dipesh Mistry for keeping a tight rotation and playing to win.

We covered the outstanding play of Isaac Jones early in this article. Jones’ received the most help from rookie Nique Clifford who showed a poised presence during his runs in six games. Clifford was willing to share the ball but also showed in late clock situations that could create separation for his Kobe Bryant-style fade away J. He shot 49.3% FG, 45.8% 3-pt, and 62.5% FT. Clifford was as advertised on defense, playing an aggressive style that made him a bit foul prone.

Daeqwon Plowden was an excellent late addition to the Kings Summer squad. He shot the ball well (9-24 3-pt. 37.5%, 11-12 FT. 91%) and had timely rebounds. Plowden is a 26 year-old that had his two-way deal with the Suns terminated right before the start of Vegas play.

Maxime Raynaud (pictured above, being interviewed by Dennis Scott) was solid. He started off strong in game one but trailed off as games continued. Raynaud missed one game with a wrist injury, and perhaps the wrist played into him missing shots. He averaged 12.8 points, and six rebounds per game and he certainly looked like he belonged. His communication on defense was noticeable. He is LOUD. Near the basket, he will instinctively use whatever hand he should use, which is also nice to see.

Devin Carter shot 28.9% from three-point range and 59.3% from the foul line in Vegas. This evidence shows improvement from his rookie season numbers but ultimately, it is not near good enough. Low-percentage shooting is hard to ignore. Compounding evaluations are players that can cleanly swish a shot and come down the next possession and jack an air-ball. As a database builds on a low-percentage shooter it becomes harder and harder to ignore. His defensive disruption still impresses. When Carter is free flowing in transition he makes some nice plays. He had 27 assists and just 13 turnovers in six games which was pretty darn good. He scored 14.5 points per game. But the shooting accuracy has to improve for Carter to deserve playing time for a winning team.

Taevion Kinsey probably doesn’t fit into the Kings plans but I do admire his game. Mason Jones is in a tough spot. He is an unrestricted free agent that has too many years NBA experience to qualify for a two-way contract. The 27 year-old continues to be a solid two-guard that would be a good deep bench option on any NBA team. He is as good a teammate as you could find. Jones averaged 10.2 points, and five assists per game in Las Vegas.

Dylan Cardwell is a defensive specialist. He will play on two-way contract with the Kings this season. His two-way teammate Isaiah Stevens showed a continuation of his very smart Point Guard play. We think both are G-League guys. Cardwell really struggles with shooting. Stevens just lacks the size and dynamic efficiency that we feel is required in NBA Point Guards.

One of the players that was a two-way guy last season, Isaiah Crawford, had a rough go in Las Vegas. He averaged just 3.1 points per game and he shot 35% FG. Crawford never really broke through to show he deserves more chances. We know for a fact he has fans in the NBA, and he if doesn’t stick in Sacramento, we think he will find work quickly.

In conclusion

This Summer League was fun. I do wish there was some uniformity in how NBA teams approach the games. After watching for years, I continue to strongly feel that all teams should be serious about playing their prospects and trying to win. The stage, while not to the heights of the actual NBA, is still a REAL stage. The games are televised. A team’s brand is on blast. Why not approach it like it matters? Some who balk at our beliefs say, “it’s just Summer League.” We would counter that at this level, winning should ALWAYS matter.

For those planning ahead, keep an eye out for airfare deals and consider booking early for the 2026 event. Traditionally, it tips off the second Thursday of July. We are guessing that will be July 9th.

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