NBA Summer League's Biggest Standouts
- Joel Piton
- 4 hours ago
- 8 min read
This year's rookie class feels different. It starting to feel like we may have just received the most promising batch of young talent since 2003. Summer League performances should always be taken with a grain of salt—but some of these players are simply making it impossible not to believe the hype. This year’s action is so far delivering an exciting collection of top-tier rookies, undrafted prospects, and young players who look more than ready for the next level. Whether they've been trying to weather the storm in the G-League until they've secured a contract, or are an undrafted hopeful proving they belong, some of these guys were filling up the stat sheet so well that you have to believe they're next. With training camp approaching and the real competition right around the corner, here are 10 Summer League standouts every NBA fan should be watching when the regular season tips off.
Arthur Kaluma
Stats: 22.3 PPG · 3.3 RPG · 1.7 APG · 71.4% FG
After a productive college career spanning Creighton, Kansas State and Texas, Arthur Kaluma joined the South Bay Lakers in 2025—but the 24-year-old is still waiting for a permanent NBA opportunity. That opportunity may not be far away. Through three games, Kaluma is averaging 22.3 points in just 23.3 minutes while shooting a ridiculous 71.4% from the field. He went off on July 11, erupting for 34 points, five rebounds and six three-pointers in the Lakers’ 91–70 demolition of the Dallas Mavericks. The tools behind his production look highly translatable. At 6'7" and 225 pounds, he has the size and physicality to defend bigger forwards while providing floor-spacing, cutting and transition scoring on the other end. Every team could use an athletic stretch four capable of knocking down open shots. Kaluma has spent the summer proving he can fill that role; now, he just needs someone to give him a legitimate shot.
Meleek Thomas
Stats: 28.3 PPG · 4.0 RPG · 4.3 APG · 50.0% FG
I was surprised to see Meleek Thomas slide to the 34th pick in the draft—and his performances are making that decision look questionable. The former McDonald’s All-American arrived at Arkansas with a reputation as a natural bucket-getter, and nothing has changed, clearly. Thomas currently sits atop the Summer League scoring leaderboard at 28.3 points per game. The 19-year-old is shooting 50% from the field, 45.8% from three and a perfect 100% at the free-throw line. After opening with 20 points, Thomas exploded for 30 against Detroit before dropping 35 points and five three-pointers in Cleveland’s 90–73 victory over Miami. Thomas has demonstrated nearly every quality teams look for in a modern scoring guard: deep shooting range, confidence off the dribble, a quick release and the ability to create separation at all three levels. The Cavs got a MAJOR steal.
Brayden Burries
Stats: 22.3 PPG · 4.7 RPG · 4.0 APG · 50.0% FG
Brayden Burries is doing exactly what everyone who watched him at Arizona expected: getting buckets without issue. The 6'4" combo guard has led Milwaukee with 22.3 points per game while shooting an efficient 50% from the field and 44.4% from behind the arc. Burries gets more confident and improves with every game, following an 18-point debut with consecutive outings of 26 and 23 points. Although he lacks ideal size, his sturdy frame and willingness to embrace contact allow him to play much bigger than his measurements. He's been getting to his preferred spots, finishing through defenders and scoring comfortably from all three levels. Burries can operate alongside a primary ball handler or be the facilitator himself without needing a ton of minutes. There will be an adjustment against longer NBA defenders, but he looks ready to make an impact off rip.
Caleb Wilson
Stats: 23.5 PPG · 7.3 RPG · 1.8 APG · 50.0% FG
I tried to avoid filling this list with obvious lottery picks, but Caleb Wilson has made himself impossible to ignore. Wilson debuted his pro career 35 points—the most ever in an NBA Summer League debut—with five rebounds, three blocks and two steals. The kid buried seven of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc, for context, the North Carolina product made only seven three-pointers during his entire collegiate career. He matched that total in one night against Memphis. Wilson’s breathtaking athleticism was never in question. At 6'10", he runs the floor like a gazelle, explodes above the rim and has the length to become a disruptive, multi-positional defender. The uncertainty surrounded his jumper, but clearly that was off the mark. Wilson has also made his mentality clear: Summer League may be ending, but he has no intention of taking time off. With his physical tools, rapidly expanding skill set and relentless work ethic, Chicago may have found a future superstar.
Zyon Pullin
Stats: 21.8 PPG · 5.0 RPG · 7.8 APG · 45.3% FG
Zyon Pullin is doing everything possible to prove that he belongs in an NBA rotation. After starring for the Iowa Wolves, the former Florida guard earned a two-way contract with Minnesota in March 2026. Now he is using Summer League to make his case for something more permanent. Pullin is averaging 21.8 points through four games, but his development as a distributor has been the real revelation. His 7.8 assists per game rank second among all Summer League players, highlighted by a near triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in Minnesota’s opening victory over New Orleans. Pullin was an okay floor general at Florida, but in Las Vegas, his playmaking has spread its wings. Pullin has recorded at least six assists in three of his four appearances and at 6'4", he has the size to see over defenses and absorb contact while operating with the ball. The Wolves may not need another scorer, but every contender needs a dependable reserve who can facilitate.
Liam McNeeley
Stats: 21.7 PPG · 5.0 RPG · 3.3 APG · 45.2% FG
Liam McNeeley didn't get much of an opportunity to establish himself during his rookie season, appearing in just 31 games and averaging fewer than 12 minutes per contest. Much of the attention went to rookie phenom Kon Knueppel, whose immediate rise became one of Charlotte’s biggest stories. McNeeley has responded to the call. Through three Summer League games, the former UConn standout is averaging 21.7 points, five rebounds and 3.3 assists, making it clear that he intends to become an integral piece of Charlotte’s rebuilding process. McNeeley broke out against Orlando, pouring in 28 points and burying seven of his eight three-point attempts. The 6'7" forward has been attacking closeouts, moving the ball willingly and competing on the glass, showing the complementary versatility necessary to survive in an NBA rotation. McNeeley may never need to become Charlotte’s primary shot creator; but his quick decision making and scoring could give Charlotte more than what they hoped for next season.
Khaman Maluach
Stats: 19.5 PPG · 12.8 RPG · 1.0 APG · 53.2% FG
Four games. Four double-doubles. Khaman Maluach has been an automatic 20-and-10 threat throughout Summer League. The 7'2" South Sudanese center opened with 19 points and 11 boards against Portland, followed it with 15 and 15 versus New Orleans, then produced 21 and 10 against Milwaukee. Maluach saved his best for last, overpowering Detroit for 23 points and 15 rebounds to complete one of the most dominant individual runs in Las Vegas. The rebounding and blocks were expected. The three-point shooting is what should terrify the rest of the league. Maluach attempted only 21 triples throughout his entire rookie season; in Summer League, he launched 20 in four games and connected on 40% of them. This does not look like a big man simply experimenting, either. His mechanics are smooth and repeatable. Maluach already possesses the length, mobility and defensive instincts to protect the rim, but if the jumper translates, Phoenix will have a monster behind Mark Williams. The Suns could be developing one of the league’s most complete young big men.
Labaron Philon
Stats: 18.5 PPG · 3.5 RPG · 5.8 APG · 38.2% FG
It was difficult watching Labaron Philon fall all the way to No. 22 after the firecracker of a sophomore season he produced at Alabama. The dynamic guard averaged 22 points and five assists while flirting with 50/40/80 shooting splits, establishing himself as one of the most polished scorers in college basketball. Through four games of Summer League play, Philon is averaging 18.5 points and 5.8 assists, using his tight handle and herky-jerky pace to place pressure on opposing defenses. Philon introduced himself with 18 points and seven assists against Detroit, including the game-winning basket. He followed that with 24 points, six assists and another clutch bucket in Philadelphia’s overtime victory over Indiana. Philon can create separation, score from all three levels and shift between initiating the offense and attacking alongside another ball-handler. On a Philadelphia team chock full of dependable creators, Philon’s bucket-getting ability easily earns him a place on this list.
Bruce Thornton
Stats: 20.7 PPG · 3.7 RPG · 4.3 APG · 40.9% FG
Bruce Thornton was a menace throughout his four years at Ohio State, and his combination of toughness and scoring are tools Houston could use. The Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer is averaging 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists through three games for Houston. Thornton is shooting 42.8% from three—somehow higher than his 40.9% overall field-goal percentage—and has consistently punished defenders for giving him space beyond the arc. Thornton announced his arrival with 27 points, three assists and three steals against Denver. The defensive production has been equally impressive; Thornton is averaging 3.3 steals per game and using his powerful 215-pound frame to compensate for standing only 6'1". Houston already has a crowded backcourt, so immediate minutes will not be guaranteed. Still, Thornton’s shooting, ball security, physicality and ability to operate on or off the ball make him the perfect reserve guard.
Kobe Bufkin
Stats: 21.3 PPG · 5.3 RPG · 3.0 APG · 45.2% FG
Injuries have prevented Kobe Bufkin from ever finding a consistent rhythm at the NBA level. Across his first three seasons, the former No. 15 overall pick appeared in just 43 games and averaged four points on shaky efficiency. However, Bufkin is still only 22 years old, and he refuses to let his career quietly fade away. New Orleans has one of the league’s least settled rebuilds and should be willing to take chances on young players with untapped potential. Through three games, Bufkin is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals while shooting a respectable 45.2% from the field. He opened Summer League by erupting for 30 points and five three-pointers against Minnesota. Bufkin has looked comfortable creating off the dribble, attacking gaps and using his frame to finish through contact. He isn't the skinny kid he was at Michigan anymore and his outside shooting has become more consistent. The Pelicans could be claiming a kid ready to rewrite his career.
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Summer League success doesn’t always translate to the regular season once established NBA pros enter the equation, but these 10 standouts have given fans plenty of reasons to believe in them. The real test will come soon enough: earning meaningful rotation minutes in the league and producing against the best players in the world. Which of these promising talents do you think will carry this momentum once October hits? Will these buckets translate when the games actually count?
The 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League continues to trek on from July 3 to July 19 🚨 Can't keep up with the drama? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.
Thanks for reading!
-Joel Piton
(@jpiton7)