Top Prospects Shine in Summer League

By James Carter — 17 July 2026 — 5 min read

Top Prospects Shine in Summer League

The 2026 NBA Draft class generated considerable excitement leading up to the summer league, and the top prospects largely delivered on expectations. Fans had their first opportunity to see these players in NBA uniforms, with many of the top-ranked individuals performing notably well. Several players selected outside the initial top group also made strong impressions during their summer league appearances.

Among the standout performers were AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. These four players, widely considered the elite prospects of the draft, demonstrated why they were highly regarded. Their performances in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City provided early glimpses into their potential impact in the league.

AJ Dybantsa, playing for the Washington Wizards, showcased his abilities in two games in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-9 wing consistently drove to the basket, breaking down defenses regardless of the opponent. He was frequently utilized on the ball. Dybantsa also demonstrated effectiveness in transition and when playing off-ball, quickly attacking downhill when defenders sagged off him. He accumulated 50 total points across his two games.

While Dybantsa displayed solid poise and patience in allowing plays to develop, his jumper was not consistently effective in Las Vegas, with him shooting 1 of 11 from 3-point range. He also drew a significant number of fouls, attempting 14 free throws. Despite areas for development, Dybantsa’s overall performance aligned with expectations for a dynamic athlete with star wing potential.

Darryn Peterson, representing the Utah Jazz, played four games across the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. Peterson demonstrated strong shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 38.5 percent of his nearly seven attempts from distance per game. He often played on the ball, using his athleticism to create space for pull-up jumpers, averaging 25 points per game. Peterson also showed passing acumen, dishing out 5.5 assists per game.

Peterson’s ability to get to the rim was an area of focus, as he frequently settled for floaters rather than driving all the way to the basket. However, he mitigated this by drawing fouls at a high rate in Las Vegas, averaging eight free-throw attempts in two games. His shot-making ability was particularly noteworthy, and he also contributed positively on defense.

Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies delivered a consistent performance across his five summer league games. He averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and nearly four assists, while shooting 51 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3-point range, and 80 percent from the free-throw line in 27 minutes per game. Boozer’s game was described as structurally sound, characterized by consistent decision-making and a continuous threat to defenses.

Boozer’s versatility was evident as he drilled shots from distance and provided effective plays out of ball screens, as a roller, and as a passing hub. He also occasionally operated in the post. His performance suggested a readiness for NBA games, with the potential to contribute significantly in scoring, rebounding, and assists.

Caleb Wilson, playing for the Chicago Bulls, garnered significant attention in Las Vegas. Wilson’s competitive drive was highlighted, and he showcased a strong scoring punch, averaging 24.3 points per game. His shooting was particularly impactful, converting 48 percent from three-point range.

Other Notable Performances and Challenges

Beyond the top four, other rookies also made their mark. Brayden Burries, the No. 10 pick, demonstrated versatility and a wide range of skills for the Milwaukee Bucks. He excelled as both a play-finisher and a playmaker. Burries’ per-game production included 22.3 points on 50 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 stocks, with a low turnover rate.

The Brooklyn Nets’ backcourt, featuring Egor Dëmin and No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr., showed promise. They combined for 78 points on 48/36/91.7 shooting splits, 18 assists, 10 rebounds, nine steals, and three blocks in two games, which the Nets won by a combined 58 points. Brown noted their focus on making the game easier for each other.

Conversely, some players faced challenges. Nate Ament, the 13th overall pick for the Milwaukee Bucks, had a difficult start. He recorded 21 total points, three assists, and seven turnovers through three outings. Similarly, some second-tier guards struggled, with Darius Acuff Jr. noted for his less-than-electric offense, averaging 4.7 turnovers per outing. Kingston Flemings, while showing leadership and distributing 6.5 assists against 3.5 turnovers, struggled with his shooting, converting 33.3 percent from the field and from deep.

Meleek Thomas, a scoring guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaged 28.3 points per outing. He also shot 50 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from beyond the arc, and made all of his free throws. Thomas further showcased his all-around game with averages of 4.3 assists against 1.7 turnovers and 2.3 steals. His confident play suggests he could potentially force his way into a significant role as a rookie.

Evaluating Summer League Performances

While summer league provides an early look at rookie talent, it is generally understood that these exhibitions are not always indicative of regular season performance. The games are often loose, with different defensive dynamics compared to the NBA season. For instance, the leading scorers in previous summer leagues have not consistently gone on to become All-Stars, with Tyrese Maxey in 2021 being a rare exception among top-five summer league scorers since 2018.

Past examples illustrate this point, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2018 summer league performance, where he averaged 19 points on 46 percent shooting from the field, 25 percent from 3-point range, and 64 percent from the free-throw line, without immediately appearing to be a future MVP. Similarly, Cade Cunningham’s 2021 summer league, where he averaged 2.3 assists versus four turnovers, did not prevent him from finishing second in the NBA in assists per game in a later season. Chet Holmgren averaged 12 points per game and Jalen Williams averaged 10.5 points in the 2022 summer league, and three years later they were key players on an NBA title team.

Despite these caveats, the strong showings from players like Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson, who all finished in the top six of summer league scoring this year, suggest that the trend of leading scorers not becoming All-Stars might change. The performances of the 2026 draft class have generated significant optimism regarding their future contributions to the league.

Source: nytimes.com