Next Stars on show in Summer League – Day 1 & 2

NBA Summer League is a time of opportunity. It is a place to showcase your talents to the entire basketball world in hopes of getting an NBA opportunity or a lucrative deal overseas. 

The NBL and Australian basketball has had a large representation in Las Vegas for the past decade, with NBL clubs looking to finalise their rosters with imports and current and past players wanting to put their best foot forward to compete in the world’s best basketball league.

Here we recap all of the first two days of action for the Australian’s and NBL talent that is played in Sin City during the first two days.

DAY 1

The first day started off on a sour note for NBL followers as Luke Travers did not play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their loss to Orlando due to a sore hamstring. Travers, who was taken in the 2022 second round by the Cavs was apart of their Summer League championship last year.

His Melbourne United teammate Jo Lual Acuil continued his great form from the California Classic for the Sacramento Kings, being three points away from an off-the-bench double-double. JLA turned down an opportunity to go to the Olympics with South Sudan to fight for his NBA dream in Las Vegas.

Melbourne native and Kansas Jayhawk Johnny Furphy had a good start to his time as a Indiana Pacer. Having a slow first half, the second-round pick had a strong shooting performance in the second finishing with 12 points against Brooklyn.

Finally in the main event of day one, Perth Wildcat and second overall pick Alex Sarr had a dominant defensive display against the Atlanta Hawks with four huge blocks. 

Day 1 Results:

Cleveland Cavaliers defeated by Orlando Magic (79-106)

• Luke Travers – DNP

New Orleans Pelicans defeated by Minnesota Timberwolves (74-81)

Sacramento Kings defeated by Memphis Grizzlies (83-103)

• Jo Lual Acuil – 7 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

Houston Rockets defeated LA Lakers (99-80)

Brooklyn Nets defeated Indiana Pacers in Overtime (97-95)

• Zylan Cheatham – 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
• Johnny Furphy – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
• Sam Froling – DNP

Atlanta Hawks defeated by Washington Wizards (99-94)

• Alex Sarr – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks
• Tyler Robertson – DNP 

Denver Nuggets defeated by LA Clippers (78-88)

• Josh Bannan – 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
• Trentyn Flowers – DNP

DAY 2

The second day was Next Star Central, with four of the six 2024 draft nominated players playing. 

AJ Johnson had a strong showing for the Milwaukee Bucks alongside former Sydney King and two-way contract holder Jaylin Galloway. The two NBL alumni combined for 16 points and eight rebounds as they went down to the Chicago Bulls.

Ariel Hukporti received his first minutes as a New York Knick after signing a two-way deal with the NBA’s biggest market. The German big went halfway to a double-double, defeating the Charlotte Hornets by four points.

Cairns Taipan forward Bobi Klintman showed out for the Detroit Pistons in their 13-point loss to the 76ers. The Swedish Next Star stuffed the statsheet in his first NBA hit out since the Taipans’ NBLxNBA games in 2023.

Day 2 Results:

Milwaukee Bucks defeated by Chicago Bulls (89-96)

• AJ Johnson – 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jaylin Galloway – 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
• Hugo Besson – DNP 

Charlotte Hornets defeated New York Knicks (94-90)

• Ariel Hukporti – 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Miami Heat defeated Boston Celtics (119-114)

• Tyler Cook – No stats

Detroit Pistons defeated by Philadelphia 76ers (81-94)

• Bobi Klintman – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
• RJ Hampton – 1 assist

OKC Thunder defeated by Toronto Raptors (69-94)

• Alex Ducas – DNP
• Ousmane Dieng – DNP

San Antonio Spurs defeated Portland Trailblazers (83-77)

• Rayan Rupert – 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
• Hyunjung Lee – DNP 

Utah Jazz defeated Dallas Mavericks (90-89)

Phoenix Suns defeated by Golden State Warriors (73-90)

• Mantas Rubstavicius – 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block
• Robert Franks – 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist