There are a few NBA Summer League players that are proving to be too good.
The new NBA cycle is upon us. First was the 2023 NBA Draft, now Summer League. Next comes training camps and preseason, before the NBA regular season officially kicks off in October.
Summer League is one of the most unique times of the year because it’s our first look at rookies of course, but it also shows us how second and third-year players are developing throughout the offseason. Every year there are a select few returning players who show us they have clearly too much talent to be on the court.
Players that have outgrown NBA Summer League
Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
Jalen Williams (J-Dub) was one unexpected rookie gem last year. Williams played a crucial role on a Thunder team that wasn’t expected to win many games. Whether it was scoring at the bucket, playmaking, or defending, J-Dub was great. A lot of people are excited to see what the Thunder will do this season, and if Williams’ Summer League showing is any indication, they’ll be really good.
In Jalen’s one and only Summer League game vs the Utah Jazz, he put up 21 points, four rebounds, and two assists in only 21 minutes. In all honesty, he just looked better than anyone else on the court. He was hitting shots from everywhere and the game looked unbelievably easy for him. It’s clear, Jalen Williams is too good for Summer League.