There were numerous former Duke Blue Devils hooping in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League. Some had huge performances and others were just fighting for some minutes. Let’s recap the performances and look at who made a big splash for themselves.
Kyle Filipowski had a monster Summer League. Flip had a couple big moments last year for the Jazz and carved out significant minutes through great play. This summer, he continued that momentum becoming the Jazz’s primary scorer and go-to guy on a young and talented Summer League team. Flip has added some much needed agility and is showcasing an efficient and diversified offense including post-work, stretch threes, and off-the-bounce game. If the Jazz move on from Lauri Markannen, Filipowski has earned starter minutes. He did not have the greatest ending at Duke and has had some odd off-the-court press but his basketball is speaking for itself. There seems to be a bright future ahead for Jon Scheyer’s first recruit
Tonight’s NBA Summer League Predictions: Odds and Insights
Across the Salt Lake and Las Vegas Summer Leagues, Flip averaged 23.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot 53% from the field and 39% from three. This included a monster 35 point, 11 rebound double-double to end his Summer League action. Flip looked extremely comfortable and was arguably the best player in the entire NBA Summer Leage
Across the Salt Lake and Las Vegas Summer Leagues, Flip averaged 23.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot 53% from the field and 39% from three. This included a monster 35 point, 11 rebound double-double to end his Summer League action. Flip looked extremely comfortable and was arguably the best player in the entire NBA Summer League
DJ Steward had a great summer. He left Duke after a decent freshman year but went undrafted and has yet to log NBA minutes. He has spent each season in the G-League since and shown good improvement. This summer was his best by far starring for the Lakers as a point guard. Steward likely earned himself at least a two-way deal as a capable defender and shooter with the skills to be a secondary playmaker. He has good size and excellent athleticism which any team can use. He should have earned himself a nice chunk of change in Vegas this year.
Ultimately, Steward averaged 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across California and Vegas Summer Leagues. He shot 43% from the field and 41% from three. Steward truly could not have played much better. The Lakers are searching for more guard help, especially a 3 and D style guard, and Steward showed plenty of that all summer.
Marques Bolden was undrafted out of Duke and landed in the NBA in 2019. He has worn the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Hornets jerseys briefly as well as long G-League stops. Bolden earned a shot in the NBA after a great showing with the Indonesian national team averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds in the 2022 FIBA Asian Cup. He tried to showcase an improved shooting ability this summer but was unsuccessful.
Bolden saw very limited minutes for the Warriors. He averaged 3 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 25% from the field and 13% from three. The majority of his looks came from deep which is a new skill bigs must show. Bolden has never been much of a shooter but he felt comfortable shooting a high volume. If he wants to stick in the NBA, he must make those shots and defend at a high level.
Jack White was just an extra body for the Hawks in Vegas. He has been playing in Australia and Germany most recently but did have a quick run with the Nuggets and the Grizzlies in the NBA totaling 21 games played. Any Duke fan knows he is a do-everything kind of player which can help teams. However, there are numerous Jack White’s to go around which makes his chances of professional basketball much higher overseas.
For Summer League, White averaged 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 33% from the field and 23% from deep. White will likely head back overseas now to extend his career.
Wendell Moore was selected 26th overall in 2022 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has since bounced around with a stop in Detroit and Charlotte. He projected to be an extra wing or backup point guard but has been unable to earn consistent minutes. Most of his lack of playing time comes from an inconsistent shot and a lack of a true position. He has an NBA frame but needs a chance to earn minutes and he must make open shots when he gets that chance.
Moore had a nice summer with the Magic and turned it on late. He averaged 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He only had 1 assist in 5 games though which is concerning. Moore shot 44% from the field and 29% from three over that same five game span. He was counted on to score and defend and he did just that although the Magic struggled mightily. Moore either needs to make jumpers at a higher clip or become much more of a playmaker as he was at Duke to stick
Tonight’s NBA Summer League Predictions: Odds and Insights
Across the Salt Lake and Las Vegas Summer Leagues, Flip averaged 23.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot 53% from the field and 39% from three. This included a monster 35 point, 11 rebound double-double to end his Summer League action. Flip looked extremely comfortable and was arguably the best player in the entire NBA Summer League
DJ Steward had a great summer. He left Duke after a decent freshman year but went undrafted and has yet to log NBA minutes. He has spent each season in the G-League since and shown good improvement. This summer was his best by far starring for the Lakers as a point guard. Steward likely earned himself at least a two-way deal as a capable defender and shooter with the skills to be a secondary playmaker. He has good size and excellent athleticism which any team can use. He should have earned himself a nice chunk of change in Vegas this year.
Ultimately, Steward averaged 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across California and Vegas Summer Leagues. He shot 43% from the field and 41% from three. Steward truly could not have played much better. The Lakers are searching for more guard help, especially a 3 and D style guard, and Steward showed plenty of that all summer.
Marques Bolden was undrafted out of Duke and landed in the NBA in 2019. He has worn the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Hornets jerseys briefly as well as long G-League stops. Bolden earned a shot in the NBA after a great showing with the Indonesian national team averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds in the 2022 FIBA Asian Cup. He tried to showcase an improved shooting ability this summer but was unsuccessful.
Bolden saw very limited minutes for the Warriors. He averaged 3 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 25% from the field and 13% from three. The majority of his looks came from deep which is a new skill bigs must show. Bolden has never been much of a shooter but he felt comfortable shooting a high volume. If he wants to stick in the NBA, he must make those shots and defend at a high level.
Jack White was just an extra body for the Hawks in Vegas. He has been playing in Australia and Germany most recently but did have a quick run with the Nuggets and the Grizzlies in the NBA totaling 21 games played. Any Duke fan knows he is a do-everything kind of player which can help teams. However, there are numerous Jack White’s to go around which makes his chances of professional basketball much higher overseas.
For Summer League, White averaged 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 33% from the field and 23% from deep. White will likely head back overseas now to extend his career.
Wendell Moore was selected 26th overall in 2022 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has since bounced around with a stop in Detroit and Charlotte. He projected to be an extra wing or backup point guard but has been unable to earn consistent minutes. Most of his lack of playing time comes from an inconsistent shot and a lack of a true position. He has an NBA frame but needs a chance to earn minutes and he must make open shots when he gets that chance.
Moore had a nice summer with the Magic and turned it on late. He averaged 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He only had 1 assist in 5 games though which is concerning. Moore shot 44% from the field and 29% from three over that same five game span. He was counted on to score and defend and he did just that although the Magic struggled mightily. Moore either needs to make jumpers at a higher clip or become much more of a playmaker as he was at Duke to stick.
Trevor Keels has had limited run with the Pistons this summer. He was initially drafted by the New York Knicks 42nd overall in 2022 but has struggled to make an NBA roster. He is unlikely to stick in Detroit but he had a solid summer overall which will likely get him some looks overseas. Unfortunately, his lack of size paired with his lack of athleticism has made it challenging to carve out an NBA role
Keels ended summer averaging 6.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in limited action. He shot 43% from the field and 29% from three. Keels will find himself in the G-League or overseas this season.
