2016 NBA Summer League Top Performing Players: Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns Sophomores and Rookies Stand Out
Naturally, the best performing players in the 2016 summer league are the NBA sophomores, since they have already adjusted to the pace and physicality of NBA basketball.
Having said that, there are NBA rookies that performed well in the Summer League too. Among the rookies, the best performers are the top 2 overall 2016 NBA draft picks Ben Simmons of Philadelphia 76ers and Brandon Ingram of Los Angeles Lakers.
Let's look at the five best performing players of the 2016 NBA Summer League.
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1. Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles of the Utah Jazz showed some promising performances during his rookie year in the NBA. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 17.3 minutes played per game last season.
Lyles has an MVP-like run in this year's summer league, averaging 23.8 points and about 9 rebounds per game. He also showcased his 3-point skills, shooting 38.9 percent from downtown.
2. Devin Booker
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns had one remarkable game in the summer league where he scored 28 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 6 assists against Portland Trail Blazers.
In that game, Booker showed that he can score from anywhere in the court; driving to the basket, hitting mid-range jumpers, and even shooting off-the-dribble 3 pointers. Through 2 games in the Summer League, Booker averaged 26 points and 6.5 assists per game.
3. D'Angelo Russell
Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell didn't have the rookie start everyone wanted last season. Expectations were high for the number 2 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, but his rookie year was inconsistent.
But Russell has shown major improvements in the summer league. In three games, he averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game on 53 percent field goal shooting.
Stats aside, Russell plays smarter and more aggressively than during his rookie year. He can even do post-up moves now, and is willing to play hero-ball and take the crucial shot.
If Russell's summer league is any indication, then Lakers fans should expect a solid performance from him, which will hopefully help the team get some much needed wins.
4. Kris Dunn
Number 5 overall draft pick by the Timberwolves, Kris Dunn, is described as tough, a tall-guard who may be the best defender in his class, and is a solid scorer. In short, Dunn has been called the most NBA ready among this year's rookies, and he showed that in his summer league performance.
Dunn's first summer league game against the Denver Nuggets was an outstanding one; he scored 27 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His next game against the Toronto Raptors was just as impressive; scoring 21 points, 4 assists and 9 rebounds.
5. Thon Maker
Thon Maker of the Milwaukee Bucks is long. At 7'1" and having a 9'2" standing reach, Maker is just a giant on the court; a monster in the paint.
It's not just about Maker's length and size, though. As he has shown in the summer league, the Sudanese-Australian player is energetic, speedy and skilled. A Bucks coach even compared Maker's energy level to that of Kevin Garnett's.
Maker had back-to-back double doubles in the summer league. In one game against the D-League Select Team, Maker had 17 points and 17 rebounds, although they lost that game with a final score of 91-86. In his first summer league game, Maker had 15 points and 13 rebounds in a win against the Cavaliers.
