The 10 best NBA rookies at 2024 Summer League, ranked

Let’s rank the most impressive rookies we saw at Las Vegas Summer League.

NBA Last Vegas Summer League is many things: a fan convention for diehards, an extended try-out for long-shots, and a wondrous basketball oasis in the dog days of the offseason. More than anything, though, NBA summer league serves as the debut for the league’s new rookies, and gives them the opportunity to make a first impression.

Summer league performances need to be taken with a grain of salt regardless of their quality. We’ve seen many who players struggle in summer league go on to great careers. There are also so many examples of players who shined in Las Vegas but never left a real imprint on the NBA. Alex Sarr’s career isn’t doomed because he had a terrible summer league on the offensive end, and Matt Morgan and Josh Christopher aren’t destined to be All-NBA players.

The 2024 NBA Draft class was never the most exciting, but it was still fun to see the rookies with in a new setting with their new teams. Let’s rank the most impressive rookies we saw in summer league this year. This list prioritizes younger rookies going against older competition (apologies to Isaiah Stevens, who killed it for the Heat), and doesn’t include Zaccharie Risacher or Zach Edey because they didn’t play enough minutes.

10. Rob Dillingham, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Dillingham struggled to score efficiently in Las Vegas, but still flashed the scoring and playmaking chops that make him such an enticing fit on the Timberwolves. The tiny 19-year-old guard is constantly threatening opposing defenses with his shooting ability whether he’s on or off the ball. He hit some extremely difficult pull-up threes in Vegas, and has a great sense for how to relocate off the ball behind the three-point line. The need for opposing defenses to key in on Dillingham’s shooting also opens up so many avenues for his playmaking. He has tremendous vision as a lead guard, with skips to the corner, lobs to his athletic forwards, and sneaky interior feeds all part of his arsenal. Dillingham’s 42.6 percent true shooting in summer league is very underwhelming, but given the efficiency struggles of most of the rookies in Las Vegas (Dalton Knecht was only at 48.6 percent true shooting as a 23-year-old), Dillingham’s fleeting moments of brilliance were good enough to make the list.

9. Ron Holland, F, Detroit Pistons

Ron Holland put up numbers in Vegas but failed to do so efficiently, which is the story of his young career so far. The No. 5 overall pick averaged 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and more than one steal and one block per game, but did so on only 47 percent true shooting. Holland is obviously a long way from being a finished product, but the fact that he can still make a big impact despite so much low-hanging fruit in his skill set is an encouraging sign. Holland is a relentless slasher offensively, an opportunistic defensive playmaker, and a breathtaking athlete in the open floor. He is still figuring out how to pick his spots, but as one of the youngest players at Summer League this year (he turned 19 in July), his production is undeniably impressive.

8. Jaylon Tyson, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyson should have been good in summer league as a 21-year-old with three productive college seasons under his belt, but he still surpassed expectations. The 6’6 wing exceeded 50/40/90 shooting splits in putting up 15.4 points, seven rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on sparkling 68.4 percent true shooting.

Tyson may not be the biggest wing or the most explosive athlete, but his combination of skill, feel, and poise makes him ready for prime-time as he steps into the NBA. Tyson’s tight ball handling allows him to probe the defense, and his three-level scoring ability makes him a threat wherever he is on the floor. He also does a great job playing with his head up and knowing where he can find open teammates at all times. A veteran college player with such a well-rounded skill set is a very nice addition for the Cavs roster that hardly feels set long-term.

7. Bub Carrington, G, Washington Wizards

It’s easy to see the star potential in Carrington even if he’s so far away from reaching his theoretical ceiling. The big 6’5 guard had several star flashes despite being one of the youngest players in this draft class after turning 19 years old in the middle of summer league. Carrington is at his best raining pull-up jumpers, where he has deep range and impressive craft on getting into his shooting mechanics. He is still figuring out his floor game, but when he’s patient enough to let plays develop, he’s shown good passing vision as well. Carrington’s ability to get Alex Sarr easy buckets in Washington will be the best test of his long-term upside, but for now the shot-making flashes and ability to play with pace will keep Wizards fans invested.

6. Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs

Castle only only played three games in summer league between the California Classic and Las Vegas, but still showed why the Spurs felt so comfortable making him the No. 4 overall pick. The 19-year-old is a tank of a guard at 6’6, 215 pounds, and he’s able to use his big frame to play with physicality on both ends. Castle is a very shaky shooter at this stage — he shot 4-of-16 from three in summer league — but he brings so much else to the table. He’s a versatile defender, an improving downhill driver, and the sort of player who you can count on to win a contested rebound or 50/50 ball. Fixing his jump shot will be a major work in progress, but if it happens, Castle has the makings of a tremendous connective piece around Victor Wembanyama.

5. Donovan Clingan, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Clingan’s defense looked as good as advertised in Las Vegas, leading all qualified rookies with 4.25 blocks and 12.3 rebounds per game. It was stunning to see him block a Bub Carrington three-pointer on an island, and stand up Alex Sarr on rolls to the rim. Clingan’s offense is less polished, but it’s nice to see him test out of the limits of his skill set in a setting like summer league. Clingan struggled to finish around the basket at times — how does someone so large finishing with 40.3 percent true shooting? — but he also showed a newfound willingness to stretch the floor. After taking only nine three-pointers across 74 college games at UConn, Clingan fired 13 threes (and made three of them) in four games in Vegas. When Clingan gets a runway he can attack the rim with force. He’ll need to do that with more consistency long-term to become a complete player, but his defense already looks excellent.

4. Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls

Buzelis was tabbed as a lottery pick for his potential to play on the perimeter offensively at 6’10, but he proved in summer league he can also make an impact with his energy and activity while his skill set develops. The Bulls’ No. 11 pick attacked the rim at every opportunity in Las Vegas, throwing down multiple big dunks in every game. He’s a skilled ball handler for someone his size, and he’ll only become more effective off the dribble when he’s strong enough to play through contact. In addition to strength development, Buzelis’ other big swing skill is his jump shot. He showed he still has a long way to go after hitting only 6-of-28 three-point attempts in Las Vegas, but his willingness to fire from deep in encouraging. Buzelis’ offensive output has always been his main appeal, but his defense already looks impressive as well. He averaged two blocks and two steals per game across five summer league outings, showing a very real ability to recover and force takeaways. The 19-year-old will struggle with his scoring efficiency as a rookie, but his high motor will make him productive even as his body and shooting stroke develops.

3. Tristan Da Silva, F, Orlando Magic

Da Silva should have been ready for summer league as a 23-year-old rookie, but he was still incredible during his three games in Las Vegas. The No. 18 overall pick averaged 17.6 points, five rebounds, and three assists on ridiculous 82.9 percent true shooting. He scored 53 points on only 28 field goal attempts. The 6’8 forward has a combination of skill and feel that is so rare to find in someone his size. Da Silva has an easy translation as a floor spacer with a plus three-point shot, but his game is more than that too. He’s a crafty inside scorer, a good connective passer, and a willing rebounder. Da Silva is a bit limited athletically, but his shooting will be hugely beneficial for Orlando’s cramped halfcourt attack.

2. Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat

Centers with Kel’el Ware’s size (7’1) athleticism aren’t supposed to slip out of the lottery even in a good draft. Somehow, the Indiana sophomore fell all the way to No. 15 in a weaker 2024 class, but it will ultimately be a great thing for his development: if any franchise to rev up Ware’s spotty motor, it’s Miami. While Ware occasionally looks more passive on the court than his coaches would like, there’s simply too much talent here to ignore. Ware is an overwhelming physical presence who can get off the floor quickly and hammer home dunks. He’s a legitimate rim protector on the backline when he stays within himself in drop coverage. There’s also a chance he shoots it from deep with regularly long-term, but that part of game didn’t look quite ready for action in Vegas. Still, Ware is a huge, athletic play finisher who instantly adds vertical spacing and shot-blocking. With the Heat’s development staff at the controls, the young center has everything he needs to get the most out of his tools.

1. Reed Sheppard, G, Houston Rockets

Sheppard was considered the best shooter in the draft, but his run in summer league proved how good he can be even when his jump shot isn’t falling. The No. 3 overall pick only shot 28 percent from three after hitting 52 percent from three in college, but he still made a big impact with his defensive playmaking, willingness to make the extra pass, and improving driving ability. Sheppard’s jump shot strikes fear into opponents, and that opens up the rest of his game. He made decisive passing reads throughout his time in Las Vegas, and will have plenty of big-time athletes to dime up in Houston once his rookie season starts. Sheppard’s lack of size and athleticism will be more evident against the best in the world, but he’s also a safe bet to shoot the ball at an elite level. The Rockets should be feeling very good about his fit alongside the rest of its talented young core.