LAS VEGAS — Basketball fans got a first look at many of the top NBA draft picks during the first day of Las Vegas Summer League. The Thomas & Mack Center sold out for the two marquee games as 19,000 fans packed the gym for Lakers vs. Rockets to see Bronny James in action. But it was Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick, who stole the show and helped Houston get the win, 99-80.
“It was good to get out again and start to compete and play with different guys,” Sheppard said after the game. “We had a good week in practice, so just to get out and go against another team was a lot of fun.”
The other big game of the night was Wizards vs. Hawks, featuring the No. 1 pick in the draft, Zaccharie Risacher, squaring off with the No. 2 pick, Alex Sarr. The Wizards edged out the Hawks in the closing minutes, securing the win, 94-86.
“It was a nice first game and we got the win so I’m happy,” Sarr said after the game.
The first night of Summer League did not disappoint and there’s plenty more action to come during the 11-day tournament. Yahoo Sports breaks down the notable performers from Day 1.
Rockets vs. Lakers
Reed Sheppard, Rockets
Sheppard had six points in the first half, then came alive in the third quarter, hitting deep 3s and taking players off the dribble. Defensively he was incredibly active, deflecting passes and blocking shots off the switch. Sheppard finished with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and three blocks in the win.
“As the game went on, I just got more and more comfortable,” Sheppard said. “My coaches and teammates were telling me to keep being aggressive. They told me when you come off ball screens, look for your shot. A lot of that was them putting confidence in me.”
Dalton Knecht, Lakers
Knecht led the Lakers in scoring, pouring in 25 points in the loss. He struggled a bit off the bounce but was deadly in catch-and-shoot situations, hitting 5 of 11 from 3. He also added six rebounds and four assists and played both on and off the ball throughout the game. The fifth-year senior out of Tennessee fell to the Lakers with the 17th pick in what could be the steal of the draft.
Bronny James, Lakers
James finished with eight points, with six of those coming in the first quarter. He couldn’t find his rhythm from deep, going 0 for 8 from 3-point range. “My shot wasn’t falling today, but I just need to continue to get the reps in and get better,” James said postgame.
The 6-2 guard was visibly upset with the loss after the game but is being patient with the process and learning as much as he can from game to game. “I’m just running the film and looking at things I always do and whatever open looks I get, I’m going to take it,” James said. “I’m getting more comfortable and letting the game come to me, but we just need to get better.”
James, the 55th pick in the draft, added five rebounds and two steals.
Cam Whitmore, Rockets
Last year’s Summer League MVP was the best player on the court Friday night, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. He was confident off the dribble and had some good looks in transition. At one point during a half-court set, he cut for one of the best dunks of the night.
In the second quarter, Whitmore also pulled Sheppard aside to give him a few pointers on what he was seeing.
“That was just a defensive thing he was talking about and that’s what so great about Cam is he played last year and he knows the smaller things that I don’t know yet,” Sheppard said. “He’s just taking the initiative and helping me and teaching me and giving me advice and it’s been very helpful.”
Wizards vs. Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks
Risacher, the No. 1 pick in the draft, was fairly quiet until halfway through the third. He struggled from behind the arc to start the game, going 1 for 5, before finding his rhythm and finishing 3 for 9 from 3 for 18 points.
When his shot wasn’t falling, he used his footwork to seal in the mismatch and score off the block. The 6-foot-8 wing played more games than any college player in the draft with his season extending into May for the LNB Pro A playoffs in France. In his first NBA game, he showed more versatility on the perimeter and is proving to be more than just a designated shooter.
“Honestly, that was a great experience,” Risacher said. “Just to step out on an NBA court, and I felt good. I know we lost, but that’s a part of the game and I’m ready to do whatever the coach asks me to do.”
Alex Sarr, Wizards
Sarr was known for his rim protection coming into the draft and capped off his first NBA game with four blocks. He held down the paint defensively. The spacing in the NBA also benefits the 7-1 mobile center and he was utilized in the pick-and-pop regularly, comfortably stepping outside to the perimeter.
Sarr still needs to get stronger but didn’t shy away from contact. He was physical in the lane and zipped passes when he felt the help-side defense drop. The No. 2 pick finished with 12 points (including two 3s), seven rebounds and four assists.
“I was just taking what the game was giving me and trying to make good reads out there,” Sarr said. “This time right now is just about getting better and adjusting to the pace of the game. Our team is position-less and they want everyone to play in every spot, so they really put an emphasis on that.”
Bub Carrington, Wizards
Carrington was the 14th pick in the draft and showed off his versatile playmaking…
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