Celebrating the Anniversary of the Las Vegas Summer League! Looking Back at Players Who Shone in the Summer League

On July 14th, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Las Vegas Summer League. The official NBA Summer League account previously posted a retrospective on players who excelled in the Las Vegas Summer League in the past.

The Summer League is where many players’ dreams begin. Not only have we compiled the performances of these players, but we’ve also put together some superstars’ displays in various summer leagues (not just the Las Vegas Summer League). Let’s take a look!

Single-game scoring records:

1. Anthony Morrow – 47 points (2009 Warriors)

2. Anthony Randolph – 42 points (2009 Warriors)

3. Weaver – 42 points (2007 Nuggets)

4. Banks – 40 points (2007 Celtics)

5. Cesare – 40 points (2023 Pistons)

6. Korkmaz – 40 points (2018 76ers)

7. Jabari Smith Jr. – 38 points (2023 Rockets)

8. Bogans – 38 points (2004 Magic)

9. Hart – 37 points (2017 Lakers)

10. Mitchell – 37 points (2017 Jazz)

11. Belinelli – 37 points (2007 Warriors)

12. Diogu – 37 points (2005 Warriors)

Single-game assist records:

1. Marcus Williams – 17 assists (2009 Grizzlies)

2. Larry Drew II – 16 assists (2015 Pelicans)

3. Brandon Jennings – 14 assists (2009 Bucks)

4. Lonzo Ball – 12 assists (2017 Lakers)

5. Marquis Noel – 12 assists (2023 Raptors)

Single-game rebound records:

1. Malcolm Thomas – 22 rebounds (2013 Bulls)

2. Alan Williams – 21 rebounds (2015 Suns)

3. Joey Dorsey – 20 rebounds (2009 Rockets)

4. Lonnie Jones – 20 rebounds (2004 Bucks)

5. Paul Reed – 20 rebounds (2021 76ers)

Single-game block records:

1. Isaiah Jackson – 7 blocks (2022 Pacers)

2. Jaren Jackson Jr. – 7 blocks (2018 Grizzlies)

3. Jack Carmichael – 7 blocks (2013 Bucks)

4. Bazemore – 7 blocks (2012 Warriors)

5. Samardo Samuels – 7 blocks (2010 Raptors)

6. McGee – 7 blocks (2009 Wizards)

How did NBA superstar players perform in the summer league?

1. Kobe Bryant was the 13th pick in the 1996 draft. Extremely competitive, he averaged 24.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in the summer league, showcasing his limitless potential.

2. Tim Duncan was the number one pick in the 1997 draft. For Duncan, playing in the summer league was merely going through the motions, totaling 26 points over two games.

3. LeBron James was the number one pick in 2003. During the summer league, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

4. Carmelo Anthony was the third pick in the 2003 draft. He was the strongest freshman in NCAA history. On the stage of the summer league, Anthony was equally impressive, averaging 20 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

5. Kevin Durant was the second pick in the 2007 draft. That year, he represented the SuperSonics and performed very well in the summer league, averaging 24 points.

6. Derrick Rose was the number one pick in the 2008 draft. He didn’t go all out in the summer league, averaging 9.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over two games.

7. Stephen Curry was the seventh pick in the 2009 draft. When he participated in the summer league, the media jokingly commented that “a child who looks only 12 years old appeared in the summer league.” However, Curry quickly proved himself, averaging 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.