NBA Summer League: Standouts from the Championship Game

Which rookies stood out during yesterday's championship game featuring the Cavaliers and Rockets?

Monday's championship game signaled the end of an exciting 2023 NBA Summer League. With both teams entering yesterday's game undefeated, the Cavaliers and Rockets' summer league rosters included multiple impressive rookies.

Here's the three rookies who stood out during the Cavaliers-Rockets game:

Craig Porter Jr. (Cavaliers | Undrafted | Two-Way Contract)

Eight points | Nine rebounds | Eight assists | One steal | One block

Porter Jr. impacted the game in a variety of ways during the Cavaliers' twenty-one point win against the Rockets. He displayed advanced passing vision, especially in transition, leading his teammates to open buckets by threading the needle through multiple defenders. Additionally, in the half-court, the former Wichita State guard displayed smart off-ball cuts. This led to multiple open layups at the rim and an opportunity to showcase his vertical athleticism.

Defensively, Porter Jr. was laterally quick, containing drives from Rockets guards with ease. He also didn't give up on plays in the pick-and-roll, blocking Trevor Hudgins on a pull-up jumper during a rearview pursuit. Off-ball, Porter Jr. had a few digs from the top of the key and stunts down to the nail, clogging up driving lanes while not falling too far away from his man. Lastly, he was also active on the defensive glass. This was an area the 6-foot-2 guard excelled in at Wichita State, where he averaged over six rebounds per game.

Check out an in-depth scouting report by the Draft Digest Staff on Craig Porter Jr here.

Cavs got a steal in Craig Porter Jr. pic.twitter.com/fe9RbUaiH3

— 𝙊𝙥 (@CLE_Optimistic) July 14, 2023

Matthew Mayer (Rockets | Undrafted | Not Yet Signed)

Eight points | Seven rebounds | 3-3 FG | 2-2 3PT | One steal | One block | +11 plus-minus in a 21-point loss

Mayer is a 6-foot-9 wing who played four years at Baylor before transferring for his final season at Illinois. He went undrafted this past June but it was publicly announced that he had signed with the Rockets' summer league roster the day after the draft. In yesterday's game, the twenty-three year old displayed a fluid catch-and-shoot jumper that is difficult to contest due to his size and quick release.

He shot an astounding 43.5% from three on 23 attempts during his four summer league games. He also can attack closeouts and is an excellent finisher at the rim, where he converted 69% of his attempts this past season at Illinois.

Matthew Mayer’s full scoring highlights from his last game with the #Rockets pic.twitter.com/H9Kz97puvV

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 12, 2023

Emoni Bates (Cavaliers | No. 49 Overall Pick | Two-Way Contract)

19 points | Five rebounds | Four assists | One steal | One block

Bates had a very productive summer league, averaging 17 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block per game through six contests. The most intriguing part of Bates' game was his catch-and-shoot threes, as he's a 6-foot-9 wing with a quick release. 

While asked to do too much at Eastern Michigan, Bates has been able to prove that he can offer specific microskills to an offense: catch-and-shoot threes (even when contested) and running in transition. He's shown an ability to play within the Cavaliers' offense, improving his shot selection and pursuing difficult isolation possessions less frequently than he did at Eastern Michigan.

If he can continue to put forth an effort defensively, as shown in his rotation against the Rockets' spread pick-and-roll late in yesterday's game, he can contribute meaningful minutes off the bench and even offer value for the Cavaliers as a stationary shooter.

Of course I am the one intrigued by a defensive rotation from Emoni Bates. Of course. pic.twitter.com/ycAwCo1LkN

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 18, 2023

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