NBA Rookies in Summer League Action

SI Staff | Jul 14, 2009

NBA Rookies in Summer League Action /

NBA Rookies in Summer League Action

Blake Griffin

In his debut at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the No. 1 pick in the draft scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Clippers' 93-82 victory against the Lakers.

Tyreke Evans

Evans averaged 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 5.3 turnovers in his first three games. He hit 17-of-19 foul shots as part of a 33-point performance in a 91-86 loss to the Bucks.

Stephen Curry

In his second game in Vegas, Curry scored 27 of his 29 points after halftime in the Warriors' overtime victory against the Kings.

Brandon Jennings

Jennings opened by shooting 0-of-7 from the field in the first half of Milwaukee's first game, but he's had some high points, too, including a 13-point, 14-assist, seven-steal effort against Sacramento.

James Harden

The No. 3 pick has been busy, playing in both the Orlando and Vegas summer leagues. ''He plays like he's been doing this in this league for a while now, and that's a good sign for a young kid to have a lot of composure,'' Thunder coach Scott Brooks told The Oklahoman.

Jonny Flynn

With fellow point guard draft pick Ricky Rubio absent, Flynn is getting plenty of opportunities to show his NBA readiness. He commited 13 turnovers in his first two games, but also had 21 assists.

Tyler Hansbrough

Hansbrough averaged 18.2 points and 5.6 rebounds as the Pacers went 5-0 at the Orlando Pro Summer League. ''People who said what he did in college he wouldn't be able to do in the NBA should come here and watch him,'' Nets president Rod Thorn told Pacers.com.

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan scored 20 points against a Pistons team that featured fellow '09 draft picks Austin Daye (19 points, eight rebounds) and DaJuan Summers (19 points, six rebounds).

Gerald Henderson

Henderson actually is playing for the Timberwolves' Vegas entry because the Bobcats are not fielding a summer league team this year. The former Duke swingman went scoreless in 18 minutes in his debut.

Jrue Holiday

The 19-year-old is being groomed as a future starting point guard. ''He makes passes you can't teach,'' a scout who watched Holiday at the Orlando league told the Philadelphia Inquirer. ''And in this league, when everyone is worried about their next shot, he would be a fun guy to play with.''

Eric Maynor

Maynor, who played in the Orlando league, is trying to show he can fill the backup role behind point guard Deron Williams.

Omri Casspi

The 6-9 forward is bidding to become the first Israeli to play in the NBA. ''He's struggled so far,'' new Kings coach Paul Westphal told the USA Today. ''But he's talented and he's got an intensity I think will translate very well once he gets comfortable.''

Chase Budinger

Budinger has shot the ball well for the Rockets. The former Arizona swingman surprisingly slipped to No. 44 after being considered a likely first-round pick leading up to the draft.

Published Jul 14, 2009

SI STAFF