NBA Summer League Rookie Rankings

As many fans know, during the month of July, the NBA holds three different Summer Leagues to showcase the young talent of the league. Here are the rankings based off of Summer League play, not potential.

1) Jerryd Bayless, Portland Trailblazers
This kid has been unstoppable offensively, scoring 27.7 points per game while getting to the free throw line 55 times in the first three games of the Las Vegas Summer League. Yes there are questions as to whether or not he can play the one, but if he can score like this for the Blazers, he and Brandon Roy are going to make a lethal backcourt next season.

2) Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Love has been dominating the low post, averaging 20.7 points and 15 rebounds per game through his first three contests. Love has been able to assert himself in each game, even if his shot is off.

3) Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Beasley was inconsistent, but you could tell he had the green light to score. He scored 28 points in his debut, but followed that up with a 1-13 performance. The team played well and Beasley is clearly ready to be a big time player in our league.

4) O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Mayo has star potential but that’s something that everyone knows. He has been playing the point a lot in Vegas, but it doesn’t seem to be a fitting position for him although he can perform well enough there.

5) Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Lopez was an absolute beast in Orlando, averaging 19.5 points per game while leading the Nets to a 4-1 record. Lopez could be a great fit for the Nets, but I don’t think he can put up numbers like that for a few more years.

6) Marreese Speights, Philadelphia 76ers
Speights performed extremely well for the 76ers in Summer League, leading them to three straight victories after dropping their first two games. Marreese averaged 18.2 points, 10.2 boards, and 2.2 blocks per game, and will only get better when he starts playing with Elton Brand.

7) Donte Greene, Houston Rockets
He scored 40 points in his debut. Enough said.

8) DJ Augustin, Charlotte Bobcats
Augustin has not only impressed fans but head coach Larry Brown as well. That’s not an easy thing to do for a rookie. Augustin has done a great job leading the Bobcats in Vegas, and could compete for the starting point guard spot in Charlotte next season.

9) JJ Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Hickson is averaging 22 points and 7.5 boards in his first two performances in Vegas, and could be a great fit for the Cavs who lack front court depth.

10) Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Only reason he is here is because he’s the #1 pick in the draft. Rose showed flashes of brilliance while he played, but he was shut down due to knee tendinitis after his 2nd game. He seemed to struggle holding onto the ball and making some passes he made look easy in college. Derrick Rose is still going to be a fantastic basketball player, but based off of Summer League play, he isn’t quite ready.