Florida fans had a lot of focus on the NBA Draft where they waited on the selections of multiple backcourt players, and it didn’t take long to see them in action with their new squads as the NBA Summer League took place. Summer League is an opportunity for both young, incoming players to start to acclimatize to the level as well as a chance for experienced players to fight for contracts, and this year’s iteration of the event had a lot of Gator representation. Here is how each player performed:
Walter Clayton Jr.
26.0 Minutes
13.5 Points
4.8 Assists
3.3 Rebounds
3.3 Turnovers
With Clayton getting picked in the first round the Utah Jazz were eager for him to show off in Summer League and it didn’t take long for him to show everyone what he was capable of. Just like when he was in Gainesville, Clayton used his patented stepback to create space and drill big three after big three, answering any questions there might be about his ability to cause separation against higher-level defenders. Turnovers were an issue, and he did struggle to bring the ball up against savvy defenders who were able to poke the ball away and make Clayton uncomfortable. His Summer League was also cut short due to a minor injury that he may have been able to play through if it was meaningful games, but the Jazz were content to shut him down.
Will Richard
23.0 Minutes
11.5 Points
1.5 Assists
4.3 Rebounds
Things really couldn’t have gone any better for Will Richard who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as a late second round selection. Nothing is guaranteed for players in that range and no one was quite sure how much Richard’s game would translate up, but he played very well in Summer League flying around defensively and looking like an even more confident offensive player than what he showed in college. He did struggle shooting the three and it looked like the further distance of the line was bothering him, but as someone who was thought to be a catch and shoot player that might struggle in other areas, the fact that he was successful while not knocking down shots can be seen as a positive.
Alijah Martin
18.4 Minutes
8.8 Points
1.6 Assists
2.8 Rebounds
1.6 Steals
Alijah Martin made his presence felt early in Summer League with a highlight-reel dunk, the typical kind of Martin highlight where powered up in the lane and seemingly surprised his defender with just how high he could leap. As could be expected, Martin was best on the defensive side of the floor where he showcased his high motor and length, and the Toronto Raptors seemed happy with what they saw.
Colin Castleton
11.4 Minutes
2.6 Points
4.0 Rebounds
Castleton didn’t expect to be playing in Summer League after he ended up sticking with the Toronto Raptors at the end of last season, and he played like it. There wasn’t the same level of fight and energy with Castleton that you saw with younger players fighting for their spot in the league, and it resulted in some missed blockouts and sloppy turnovers. With Castleton already having a solid G League resume this performance shouldn’t hurt him, but it definitely was not his best basketball.
Zyon Pullin
20.3 Minutes
7.3 Points
5.3 Assists
2.3 Rebounds
3.0 Turnovers
Pullin is another player that put together a solid G League season and didn’t expect to have to go to Summer League to battle it out, but he went there with a clear focus of getting his teammates involved and helping them acclimatize to the next level of the sport.
Keyontae Johnson
11.3 Minutes
2.3 Points
2.0 Rebounds
1.0 Assists
Keyontae Johnson’s pro career got off to a strong start, but he didn’t have a great close to last season in the G League, and despite his experience he did not look good at all in Summer League. Perhaps it’s difficult for all the slightly older players to muster up motivation to compete in yet another Summer League, and there are always hungry younger players making things difficult, but the film was not kind to Johnson.
Osayi Osifo
17.6 Minutes
6.7 Points
5.3 Rebounds
1.3 Assists
A player who had a surprisingly strong Summer League was Osayi Osifo who in a lot of ways seems more suited for the G League style of game than the college one. Following his time at Florida Osifo didn’t take off while at Jacksonville, though his game really got to another level last year in the G League and he also looked like a very capable big in Summer League. Look for him to have another productive year in the G this upcoming season.