{"id":764460,"date":"2026-07-15T14:09:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T14:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/764460\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:09:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T14:09:24","slug":"starting-5-rookies-shine-in-las-vegs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/764460\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Rookies shine in Las Vegs"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Trevon Brazile lights up Thunder with 32 points, Grizzlies hit 17 3s to beat Warriors and more from Summer League action on July 14.<\/p>\n

Bank it from 37 feet. Drop 32.<\/p>\n

Denver\u2019s Trevon Brazile was one of several rookies who lit up Las Vegas Tuesday, as the 2026 Draft class continues to shine.<\/p>\n

\"Trevon<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Tuesday Heat: Caleb Wilson ignites Bulls, Cameron Carr lifts Lakers to 3-0<\/p>\n

More Rooks Cook: Trevon Brazile dominates, Brooklyn duo overcomes Darius Acuff Jr.<\/p>\n

Roundup: Cam Boozer & Grizzlies win big, Bruce Thornton helps boost Rockets<\/p>\n

Second-Round Spark: Cleveland\u2019s Meleek Thomas has become Vegas\u2019 hottest scorer<\/p>\n

Sky\u2019s The Limit: LaMelo Ball embraces his new home in Minnesota<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Today's<\/p>\n

Eight games tip off today in Vegas, starting with Pacers-Wolves at 3:30 ET (Prime)<\/a>, before No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson leads the Jazz against the Spurs (9:30 ET, Prime<\/a>).<\/p>\n

NBA Summer League Hub: The Semifinals in Las Vegas are just three days away. Track the Playoff race, stat leaders, schedule and more right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. TUESDAY HEAT: WILSON SPARKS BULLS, LAKERS MOVE TO 3-0<\/p>\n

\"Caleb<\/p>\n

One night after throwing down perhaps the slam of the summer<\/a>, Caleb Wilson continued to soar.<\/p>\n

Bulls 99, Wizards 87: The No. 4 pick was everywhere early, finishing with 19 points, 8 boards, 3 assists and 1 block<\/a>, while fellow rookies Jaylin Sellers (24 pts) and Donovan Atwell (19 pts) combined for 43 to lift the Bulls past the Wizards, who were without No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Fast Start: Wilson scored 13 points in his first 15 minutes. By the end of the 3rd, he had 16 \u2013 capped by a stepback 3 to beat the buzzer<\/a>
\nInside & Out: He finished 7-of-15 from the floor with a pair of treys and five buckets at the rim, including another thunderous jam<\/a>
\n\u201cEvery time I attack the rim I\u2019m trying to dunk,\u201d said Wilson postgame. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019ve been raised to do. That\u2019s what my dad told me \u2013 so I\u2019m trying to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Caleb<\/p>\n

Wilson wasn\u2019t the only Bull in attack mode. After falling behind by 10 in the 1st quarter, Atwell sparked Chicago with 10 points in the 2nd to help the Bulls take the lead.<\/p>\n

Following Wilson\u2019s buzzer-beater to close the 3rd, Sellers finished the job with 10 points in the 4th, moving Chicago to 2-1.<\/p>\n

\u201cJaylin Sellers and Donovan Atwell saved my life, that\u2019s what they did \u2013 they saved my life,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cWe won. That\u2019s all we wanted to do. I\u2019m excited, bro \u2013 go Bulls!<\/a>\u201d
\nSummer Surge: Wilson is averaging 24.3 ppg in Vegas, trailing only Cleveland\u2019s Meleek Thomas (28.3) among players with at least three games played (more on Thomas in Sec. 4)<\/p>\n

\"Cameron<\/p>\n

As Wilson stayed sizzling, the Lakers stayed perfect \u2013 thanks to another standout rook.<\/p>\n

Lakers 99, Clippers 85: After shining in the California Classic, No. 24 overall pick Cameron Carr took over, dropping a game-high 23 points as the Lakers improved to 3-0. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Full Throttle: Carr had 19 points through three quarters, helping the Lakers build a 23-point lead entering the 4th
\nTemps Rising: After averaging 16.7 ppg in the Cali Classic, Carr has raised his game in Vegas, posting 20.5 ppg
\nWagler Work: Following a 23-point outing on Monday, the Clippers\u2019 No. 5 overall pick, Keaton Wagler, looked sharp again (16 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast)
\nOnly Unbeatens: The Lakers join the Hawks as the only 3-0 teams in Vegas. Los Angeles can punch its ticket to the Semifinals with a win over Chicago on Thursday (6 ET, Prime) | Full NBA Summer League Standings<\/a><\/p>\n

2. MORE ROOKS COOK: BRAZILE DOMINATES, NETS OVERCOME ACUFF JR.<\/p>\n

\"Trevon<\/p>\n

The rookie takeovers kept coming.<\/p>\n

Nuggets 106, Thunder 103: No. 16 overall pick Bennett Stirtz dropped 22 points and 6 dimes for OKC,\u00a0but Denver\u2019s Trevon Brazile couldn\u2019t be contained<\/a> (32 pts, 6 reb, 6 3s) as the 2nd-rounder powered the Nuggets to a late win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Party Starter: Brazile, the No. 35 overall pick out of Arkansas, got things going with a big-time windmill slam<\/a> in the 1st quarter
\nBuzzer-Beater: In the 2nd, the 6-foot-10 forward showed off his range, banking in a 3 at the buzzer from 37 feet out<\/a>
\nClutch Finish: He finished the night 6-of-12 from deep, capped by a key triple with 3:34 left to restore a double-digit lead, as Denver ultimately moved to 2-1
\nYoung Thunder: No. 12 overall pick Aday Mara (14 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 6-6 FG) combined for 36 points alongside Stirtz<\/p>\n

\"Mikel<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Brooklyn\u2019s last two top-10 picks put on a two-way clinic.<\/p>\n

Nets 115, Kings 83: Egor D\u00ebmin (22 pts, 8 ast, 4 stl), the Nets\u2019 No. 8 pick in 2025, and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. (16 pts, 5 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) were a problem on both ends, leading the Nets past the Kings, despite a monster showing from Darius Acuff Jr. (26 pts, 5 ast). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Pick, Push, Points: Brown Jr., the No. 6 overall pick, turned defense into offense with this steal and dish<\/a> to Danny Wolf (14 pts), before Wolf finished another break with authority<\/a>
\nAcuff Erupts: Acuff Jr., taken one pick after Brown Jr., scored 16 of his 26 points in the 3rd, including this smooth hanging finish<\/a>
\nRoyal Rooks: Emanuel Sharp, Sacramento\u2019s No. 45 overall pick, added 23 points, as he and Acuff combined for 49<\/a><\/p>\n

3. ROUNDUP: BOOZER & SMALL LEAD GRIZZ, ROCKETS WIN<\/p>\n

\"Javon<\/p>\n

Grizzlies 106, Warriors 85: Cam Boozer made his presence felt on both ends (12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl), while 2nd-year guard Javon Small went off (26 pts, 7 ast, 5 3s), punctuating a Grizzlies win with an epic two-handed jam<\/a> \u2013 moving both teams to 2-1. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Hot Hand: Small, a 2nd-round pick in 2025, poured in 19 in the 1st half while going 4-of-6 from 3
\nWinning Impact: Despite finishing 4-of-12 from the field, Boozer found other ways to impact the game, finishing with a game-high +35 plus-minus
\nBright Spot: Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick, led the Dubs with 15 points and 9 boards<\/p>\n

\"Bruce<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rockets 90, 76ers 64: This year\u2019s No. 22 pick, Labaron Philon Jr., stayed hot for Philly (17 pts, 4 ast, 7-11 FG<\/a>), but Houston\u2019s trio of Isaiah Crawford (19 pts), Bruce Thornton (18 pts) and Tristen Newton (17 pts) was too much, combining for 54 points in a wire-to-wire win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

New Red, Same Buckets: Thornton, the No. 31 pick and Ohio State\u2019s all-time leading scorer, is averaging 20.7 points through three Summer League games
\nPhilon Fire: Philon Jr. showed off his bag with this shifty stepback trey<\/a>, but the Sixers shot just 5-of-30 from deep as a team<\/p>\n

4. TODAY IN VEGAS: THOMAS LEADS CAVS VS. PELS, PLUS 7 MORE MATCHUPS<\/p>\n

\"Meleek<\/p>\n

Meleek Thomas entered the Draft believing he belonged in the first round. But the 19-year-old guard out of Arkansas had to wait until Round 2 to hear his name called.<\/p>\n

Three Summer League games later \u2013 entering today\u2019s matchup vs. the Pelicans (5:30 ET, Prime) \u2013 he\u2019s showing where that belief comes from.<\/p>\n

Scorching Start: Thomas opened Summer League with 20 points vs. the Pacers, including 14 in the 2nd half. One game later, he dropped a game-high 30 points and 7 dimes against Detroit
\nTo Follow It Up? Another offensive explosion \u2013 hanging 35 points<\/a> on 14-of-23 shooting and five 3s to lead Cleveland past Miami<\/p>\n

Record Rook: Thomas\u2019 85 total points are the most by a rookie through three NBA Summer League games since 2007, breaking the previous mark of 83 shared by Nickeil Alexander-Walker (2019), Damian Lillard (2012) and Jerryd Bayless (2008).<\/p>\n

And the chip on his shoulder from Draft night hasn\u2019t gone anywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna forever feel some type of way about that,\u201d said Thomas, the No. 34 overall pick, on not being taken in the first round. \u201cI just know my value and worth. I know the work I put in. I demand that respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Meleek<\/p>\n

Thomas\u2019 confidence has been built over years of proving himself.<\/p>\n

A two-time Pittsburgh Tribune-Review High School Basketball Player of the Year, Thomas spent a fifth prep year at Overtime Elite, averaging 31.9 ppg as he rose to ESPN\u2019s No. 3 point guard in the class.<\/p>\n

Despite having his own five-star pedigree, Thomas chose to join ESPN\u2019s No. 1 point guard, Darius Acuff Jr., at Arkansas under head coach John Calipari.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exactly the mentality Calipari said separates Thomas.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou absolutely love competing, especially against guys you think are a little bit better than you,\u201d Calipari said Sunday of what he looks for in recruits. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the superpower Meleek has \u2014 he just believes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Meleek<\/p>\n

\u201cThis kid right here, people missed on him,\u201d added Calipari of Thomas. \u201cHe can\u2019t believe he wasn\u2019t picked in the top four.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Thomas is backing up that belief, leading Summer League in scoring at 28.3 ppg while shooting 45.8% from 3 and adding 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s confident he can bring that same spark to Cleveland this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy energy. My defense. My offense. My leadership,\u201d said Thomas on what he\u2019ll bring to the Cavs. \u201cI\u2019m going to come in as a rookie, but nobody\u2019s going to take me to be a rookie<\/a> just because of how I play and how I carry myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brayden<\/p>\n

Seven more games tip off today, beginning with Wolves-Pacers at 3:30 ET (Prime).<\/p>\n

Later, this year\u2019s No. 10 overall pick, Brayden Burries, leads the Bucks against the Hornets (7:30 ET, Prime), before Darryn Peterson and the Jazz face the Spurs (9:30 ET, Prime).<\/p>\n

Magic vs. 76ers (4 ET, ESPNU)
\nSuns vs. Pistons (6 ET, ESPNU)
\nCeltics vs. Kings (8 ET, ESPN2)
\nWizards vs. Clippers (10:30 ET, ESPN)<\/p>\n

5. LAMELO BALL OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED IN MINNESOTA<\/p>\n

\"Tim<\/p>\n

LaMelo Ball didn\u2019t have to think much when asked Tuesday how far his game could take him in Minnesota \u2013 his new home since being traded on July 10.<\/p>\n

His response was bold and left plenty of room for imagination.<\/p>\n

\u201cSky\u2019s the limit<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ball sat on the stage at Target Center alongside Josh Green, coach Chris Finch and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly for his formal introduction to the Timberwolves<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With it, he officially turned the page on six seasons spent with the Hornets and began a new chapter in the Twin Cities.<\/p>\n

New Duo: He\u2019ll team up with Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. Both of them were selected in the 2020 NBA Draft \u2013 Edwards at No. 1, Ball at No. 3
\nYoung Stars: Ball beat out Edwards to win Kia Rookie of the Year that season. Since then, both have become All-Stars (Edwards 4x, Ball 1x) and both are 24 years old
\n\u201cMindset,\u201d Ball said, when asked what he admires about Edwards. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t let anyone affect him. He just goes after it, and I love that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Alongside Ant, Ball joins four-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, along with Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu.<\/p>\n

Minnesota sees Ball, a dynamic 6-foot-7 talent, as its point guard of the future.<\/p>\n

The Resume: Ball followed his Kia Rookie of the Year campaign with an All-Star sophomore effort. He\u2019s averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists for his career
\nOn The Rise: Last season, he played 72 games \u2013 his most since 2021-22. He posted 20.1 ppg with a career-best 89.9% free-throw percentage
\nMatch Made? He\u2019s seeking his first Playoff appearance and joins a team that reached the West Finals in 2024 and 2025 before falling in the 2026 West Semis
\n\u201cI\u2019m just coming here ready to play,\u201d Ball said. \u201cI\u2019m ready to learn and give it my all.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Trevon Brazile lights up Thunder with 32 points, Grizzlies hit 17 3s to beat Warriors and more from…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":764461,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[355,99,13760],"class_list":["post-764460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-nba","tag-sports","tag-starting-5"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/764460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=764460"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/764460\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/764461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=764460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=764460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=764460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}