10 best international players in the NBA Summer League / News - Basketnews.com

The 2021 NBA Summer League wrapped up on Tuesday, with several international players having their first go at the big leagues. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to recap the Top 10 non-American players who performed best in Las Vegas. Note that only guys that played at least 3 games in the Summer League made it onto the list, so players like Joshua Primo and Killie Tillie, who appeared in two games each, didn’t make the cut.

10. Jordan Nwora 20.3 PPG (35 FG%, 18% 3PT), 4.8 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 4.3 TO (4 games, 29 MPG)

Marko Simonovic

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Despite being the best scorer out of all international players in the Summer League with 20.3 points per game, last year’s 45th NBA Draft pick didn’t shoot the ball well, converting just 35% of his field goals and 18% from three. The Nigerian forward also committed over 4 turnovers per game, but his scoring numbers and 4.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game earned him a spot in the Top 10.

9. Marko Simonovic 12 PPG (50 FG%), 4.4 REB, 2 AST, 1.4 STL (5 games, 19 MPG)

The Montenegrin big man was selected one pick earlier than Jordan Nwora in last year’s draft. While Nwora made his NBA debut with the Bucks last season, Simonovic stayed in Europe to develop his game before playing overseas. The 21-year-old was awesome in the Adriatic League last season, averaging 15.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 19.2 PIR. His European success translated to the Summer League, where Simonovic averaged 12 points on 50% shooting, 4.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals over 19 minutes for the Chicago Bulls.

8. Kyle Alexander 11.4 PPG (56 FG%), 9 REB, 1 STL, 1.6 BLK (5 games, 22 MPG)

Canadian forward Kyle Alexander went undrafted in 2019, but that didn’t stop him from performing well with the Phoenix Suns this summer. The 24-year-old averaged 11.4 points on 56% shooting, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.6 blocks per game. Alexander represented Fuenlabrada in the Spanish league last season, accumulating 9 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. This year, his play in the Summer League may land him a two-way contract in the NBA.

7. Udoka Azubuike 13.8 PPG (85 FG%, 39 FT%), 8.8 REB, 1.3 STL, 2.5 BLK (4 games, 27 MPG)

The Nigerian forward was selected 27th overall in last year’s NBA Draft but was not given many opportunities to show his skills, playing just 57 minutes in 15 games with the Jazz last year. However, Azubuike has shown that he is deserving of more minutes in the upcoming season, having averaged 13.8 points on a whopping 85% shooting from the field in the Summer League. While he only converted 39% of his free throws, Azubuike also contributed 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.5 blocks in 5 Summer League games.

6. Eugene Omoruyi 14.8 PPG (55 FG%), 5.3 REB, 1.3 AST (4 games, 29 MPG)

Despite averaging 17 points and 5.5 rebounds in his senior year in Oregon, the Canadian forward Eugene Omoruyi was not selected in this year’s NBA Draft. Regardless, he was given a chance by the Dallas Mavericks and averaged 14.8 points on 55% shooting and 5 rebounds for the Mavs. His stats might have been even better had he not been ejected after brawling with the Kings’ Chimezi Metu, getting elbowed and ejected from the game. The Mavericks presented Omoruyi with a two-way contract last week.

5. Jonathan Kuminga 17.3 PPG (37 FG%), 6.3 REB, 2 AST, 1.5 STL (4 games, 28 MPG)

Kuminga was one of the most exciting players to watch in the Summer League. This year’s 7th overall pick from Congo showcased his raw talent and athleticism, putting up 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals for the Warriors. He did struggle from the field, though, converting 37% of his field goals. Kuminga played for the Warriors’ G League affiliate last season, putting up similar numbers to the ones in the Summer League. Let’s see if his play translates well to the NBA once the season tips off.

4. Precious Achiuwa 16.7 PPG (60 FG%), 7.3 REB, 1 STL, 1.3 BLK (3 games, 26 MPG)

The 20th pick in last year’s NBA Draft saw a solid amount of action last season with the Miami Heat, averaging 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds over 61 games. Earlier this month, Achiuwa and Dragic were involved in a trade for Kyle Lowry, sending them to Toronto. The Nigerian forward appeared in three Summer League games with the Raptors and averaged 16.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.3 blocks per game. He should get plenty of opportunities alongside Siakam, Boucher, Birch, and Dekker in the upcoming season.

3. Chris Duarte 18.3 PPG (46 FG%), 4 REB, 3.8 AST, 2.5 STL, 1.8 BLK (4 games, 27 MPG)

After four years in college, the Dominican guard Chris Duarte was selected 13th overall in this year’s draft by the Indiana Pacers. Duarte was efficient on both ends of the floor, not only putting up 18.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists but also recording 2.5 steals and 1.8 blocks in four Summer League appearances. While the Pacers have plenty of guards in Brogdon, LeVert, Lamb, Holiday, McConnell, Stanley, Sumner, and Sykes, Duarte seems ready to challenge them for minutes on the NBA court.

2. Omer Yurtseven 20 PPG (48 FG%), 9.7 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.3 STL, 2.7 BLK (3 games, 31 MPG)

23-year-old Omer Yurtseven was not selected in last year’s NBA Draft. However, that did not discourage him from chasing the NBA dream. The 2.13 m center represented G League’s Oklahoma City Blue last year, where he was a force, putting up 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest. It took just two games in the Summer League to help Yurtseven land a two-year contract with the Miami Heat. If Yurtseven continues to improve at such a rapid pace, he is bound to see action behind Bam Adebayo and Dewayne Dedmon.

1. Alperen Sengun 14.5 PPG (43 FG%), 10.8 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.3 STL, 3 BLK (4 games, 25 MPG)

Another Turkish player on this list, Sengun averaged 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 26.8 PIR with Besiktas in the Turkish Basketball Superleague last season. Such dominance at 19 years of age helped him be selected 16th overall in this year’s draft. The Turkish big man appeared in four Summer League games with the Houston Rockets, showcasing his talents brilliantly. The 19-year-old, 2.08 m center is the only player on this list that averaged a double-double, putting up 14.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He was also impressive on the defensive end, accumulating 1.3 steals and 3 blocks. The Rockets had the worst record in the NBA last season, so they are definitely not in a win-now mode, allowing Sengun to hope for plenty of minutes next season alongside Usman Garuba.

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