Man, the 2022 NBA Summer League was something else. With over a hundred games played, it took place in Las Vegas, the city of bright lights and high stakes. Some people might think the Summer League doesn’t matter. But when you get moments like the one a young player experienced, logging triple-doubles and making clutch shots, you can see why it’s a big deal.
I’ve got to tell you, the rookies this year brought their A-game. Chet Holmgren, for example, was on fire. The kid averaged something like 14 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game. You’ve got to appreciate those numbers for a rookie, especially considering he had this crazy 23-point game where he also racked up 6 blocks. Unbelievable, right? Minutes per game and efficiency are metrics scouts live by, and Holmgren excelled in both.
Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick, was another standout. This guy was just a beast on the court. You could see his NBA-ready skill set in every play. He averaged around 17 points and 6 rebounds in the limited time he saw, but every minute was impactful. They hyped him up before the Summer League, but he totally lived up to it. I remember reading a report on NBA.com stating that his basketball IQ is off the charts, which is something you don’t always see discussed but definitely should be.
One thing I love about the Summer League is seeing second-year players trying to prove themselves. Sophomores like Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga were a joy to watch. Green led the Rockets in scoring, dropping games where he scored over 25 points. It was like he’d taken that next step; he looked way more polished compared to his rookie season. ESPN analysts were hyping his performances as signals of a potential breakout year.
Don’t even get me started on the surprise performances. Quentin Grimes of the Knicks is one of those under-the-radar guys who absolutely crushed it. He averaged close to 24 points per game, leading the summer league in scoring. His improvement showcases how essential development and exposure can be in these summer games.
I saw quite a bit of buzz around Scotty Barnes, and rightfully so. Even though he was coming off a stellar rookie season, seeing him hit 3-pointers with consistency and improve his ball-handling was impressive. I even found a tweet from an NBA insider pointing out how his shooting percentage increased significantly, which isn’t a small feat given the spotlight on him. Barnes literally had to step out of his comfort zone and adapt to new roles, which is the whole point of these league games.
Talking about defensive mechanisms, Tari Eason was quite the revelation. He was doing everything from blocks to steals to high-energy plays that you just don’t expect from a young player at this level. In one game, he had 5 steals and 3 blocks, and it made headlines because such stats aren’t commonplace. It’s a testament to how his defensive instincts can offer high upside to any team.
Remember the Lakers’ strong outing in 2017? That summer, Lonzo Ball had a standout performance. The 2022 Lakers, though, didn’t really have a singular star but had solid teamwork. They focused on ball movement and defense, an all-team approach that reminded you of how synergy could compensate for a lack of top-tier talent. NBA Summer League emphasizes those fundamentals that sometimes get lost in regular season and playoff pressures.
Of course, with the return of fans to the stands, the energy was palpable. The Thomas & Mack Center had an attendance that reached the highest it’s ever been. It’s no small number—average attendance was above 9,000, showing people missed live basketball and were all in to see these young guns play. Summer League tickets, while more affordable compared to regular season games, still saw a small price hike due to the demand.
And let’s not forget about the international players. Seeing prospects from Europe and elsewhere compete with American talents gives you a sense of the global reach the NBA has. Three or four players stood out every night and had scouts from multiple teams taking notes. The league has made great efforts over the years to integrate international talent, and it seems like this year we saw the most diversified pool ever.
You’d think the Summer League is all about rookies, but no, it’s where contracts get earned, dreams get realized, and epic stories begin. You can even click here to dive into detailed stats and player bios. Don’t underestimate the importance—these games set the stage for the upcoming NBA season and signal who might break out or fade away. It’s like looking into a basketball crystal ball, and man, was it clear this year.