NBLxNBA Summer League: A Recap

It was a Summer League to remember for the NBL contingent in Las Vegas, with some standout performances, stars of the future on show and even an NBA contract on the table.

NBL Media was there every step of the way, and as the tournament comes to a close, we reflect on some of the key take-outs.

The standouts

Sydney Kings star Makur Maker made a big impact for the Chicago Bulls, averaging seven points and three rebounds across five games. Those numbers were made even more impressive by the fact he played on average just 12 minutes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BULLS WIN.<br>BULLS WIN.<br>BULLS WIN. <a href="https://t.co/Hb0eVzdwif">pic.twitter.com/Hb0eVzdwif</a></p>&mdash; Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1546990465660047360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There was no stopping Perth Wildcats gun Luke Travers, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in June. He took no time finding his feet, with impressive averages of six points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block.

The emerging guard logged 23 minutes per night, and caught the eye of many experts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Credit where credit is due. <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a> - congrats brother! The boy from Rocko is not only doing himself proud but inspiring a generation of young players in WA. Huge respect mate. Your growth is incredible. <a href="https://t.co/ytIXF0fT8k">https://t.co/ytIXF0fT8k</a></p>&mdash; Greg Hire (@greg4hire) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg4hire/status/1548481265996689410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Wildcats confirmed Travers would return to the NBL next season to continue his development. 

Former Adelaide 36ers star Josh Giddey looked a class above in two games for Oklahoma City. He had no trouble starting where he left off in his rookie season, playing three games in Utah, before averaging 13 points, five rebounds and eight assists across two appearances in Las Vegas.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Giddy must just likes playing basketball, like Moses… No way everybody doesn’t know he can really hoop yet… right? Or right? ??‍??</p>&mdash; Draymond Green (@Money23Green) <a href="https://twitter.com/Money23Green/status/1545973131684196352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The unlucky ones

It was a case of what could have been for Illawarra big man Duop Reath, knocking down 11 points and seven boards for Phoenix in his first outing, before an ankle injury brought an early end to his tournament. NBL teams will be sweating on his fitness, after an impressive first season with Illawarra.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ?<a href="https://twitter.com/DuopReath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DuopReath</a> is doing work in Vegas and BIG shout out to <a href="https://twitter.com/heydb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@heydb</a> for doing her homework ?<a href="https://twitter.com/NBASummerLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBASummerLeague</a> live on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XF7bd3ranH">pic.twitter.com/XF7bd3ranH</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1545609326769094656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The big games

DJ Vasiljevic: 11 points in 10 minutes v Sacramento
Duop Reath: 11 points, 7 rebounds in 15 minutes v LA Lakers
Jack White: 8 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks in 20 minutes v Cleveland
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr: 12 points, 6 rebounds in 18 minutes v Dallas
Luke Travers: 14 points, 5 rebounds in 23 minutes v Atlanta
Makur Maker: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists in 13 minutes v Charlotte
Ousmane Dieng: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block in 22 minutes v Sacramento
Tahjere McCall: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block v Indiana in 22 minutes v Indiana

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ?<br><br>New floor, same <a href="https://twitter.com/3jvasiljevic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3jvasiljevic</a>. <br><br>11 points in 10 minutes for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Suns</a> ?<a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/G3alSebnqk">pic.twitter.com/G3alSebnqk</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1548131901051121664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The big plays

Akoldah Gak's dunk
The Illawarra Hawks' youngster might not have got a whole lot of burn for the Bulls, but he did manage to sneak in one of the more memorable plays from the NBL contingent in Vegas. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ?<a href="https://twitter.com/jogracehealy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jogracehealy</a> caught up with the <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a>&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/akoldah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@akoldah</a> following his first burn with the <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagobulls</a> and he&#39;s still buzzing after that dunk! <a href="https://t.co/PogeOqam56">pic.twitter.com/PogeOqam56</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1546295173558448134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tahjere McCall's wizardry 
In case you didn't know, the Taipans' import loves a no-look pass, and this one vs the Pistons is right up there with his best.

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Josh Giddey's dunk
A bit of Thunder from Down Under when Josh Giddey caught a body and a few people by surprise with this sneaky slam.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GIDDEY ?<a href="https://twitter.com/joshgiddey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joshgiddey</a> just caught a body in Salt Lake <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a><a href="https://t.co/KbbE5h0OR2">pic.twitter.com/KbbE5h0OR2</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1545195960930041856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Luke Travers' dime
The Larry Bird look-alike comparisons were coming in thick and fast all week in Vegas, and with the mullet, the moustache, the number 33, and nonchalant dimes like this, it was easy to see why. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Come for <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_travers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@luke_travers</a>&#39; pass. Stay for <a href="https://twitter.com/AmarSylla7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmarSylla7</a>&#39;s celebration.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CavsSummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CavsSummer</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CaesarsSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaesarsSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/jauwqleJ67">pic.twitter.com/jauwqleJ67</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1545529726764167169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The stories

Aron Baynes
It was an incredible sight when Aron Baynes returned to the court to work out for NBA teams on July 9.

Baynes suffered a serious spinal cord injury when he fell in the locker rooms during the Boomers’ Olympic campaign, and almost a year to the day, was back doing what he does best.

The Australian big is sure to be on the radar for NBL and NBA clubs.

Jack White
It was a dream come true for Melbourne United’s Jack White, with the 24-year-old signing a contract with the Denver Nuggets following an impressive Summer League stint.

White showed off his versatility at both ends of the court across five games in Vegas, averaging close to eight points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal.

All eyes will be on White’s progress in the NBA this season.

The stats

Akoldah Gak - Illawarra Hawks/Chicago Bulls
2 games, 8.4 minutes, 1 point, 1.5 rebounds

Dejan Vasiljevic - Sydney Kings/Phoenix Suns
5 games, 8.3 minutes, 5 points

Duop Reath - Illawarra Hawks/Phoenix Suns
2 games, 9.2 minutes, 6.5 points, 4 rebounds

Dusty Hannahs - Adelaide 36ers/Milwaukee Bucks
2 games, 11.5 minutes, 2.5 points, 1 rebound

Hugo Besson - NZ Breakers/Milwaukee Bucks
4 games, 11.4 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds

Jack White - Melbourne United/Denver Nuggets
5 games, 17.1 minutes, 7.8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr - Melbourne United/Phoenix Suns
5 games, 13.4 minutes, 6 points, 4.8 rebounds

Justinian Jessup - Illawarra Hawks/Golden State Warriors
2 games, 12.5 minutes, 3.5 points, 1 rebound

Luke Travers - Perth Wildcats/Cleveland Cavaliers
5 games, 23.5 minutes, 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1 block

Makur Maker - Sydney Kings/Chicago Bulls
5 games, 12 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds

Ousmane Dieng - NZ Breakers/OKC Thunder
2 games, 22.9 minutes, 11 points, 6.5 rebounds

Robert Franks - Adelaide 36ers/Boston Celtics
4 games, 8.9 minutes, 2.5 points

Sam Waardenburg - Cairns Taipans/Dallas Mavericks
DNP

Tahjere McCall - Cairns Taipans/Washington Wizards
4 games, 15.6 minutes, 8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Vic Law - Perth Wildcats/Utah Jazz
1 game, 8.2 minutes, 1 point, 3 rebounds

Yudai Baba - Melourne United/Golden State Warriors
2 games, 11.7 minutes, 3.5 points, 4.5 rebounds