Kennard continues to impress in NBA Summer League

The former Duke star posted his third straight double-figure scoring effort by scoring 18 points for the Detroit Pistons Tuesday, but his scoring is only part of the story

NBA.com photo—NBA.com photo
Luke Kennard is averaging 16.0 points per game in his three games for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA's Orlando Summer League tournament

Tuesday might have been a holiday to most of us, but for the recent draftees, young veterans and free agents looking to make an impression in the NBA’s Orlando Summer League tournament, it was business as usual. And Luke Kennard continued to shine. The former Duke star posted his third straight double-figure scoring effort by scoring 18 points for the Detroit Pistons, who took him with the 12th overall pick in last month’s draft. In addition to his ability to put the ball in the basket, Kennard is proving himself to be a strong all-around player. Tuesday, he also posted five rebounds, four assists and two steals to help his team to a 73-71 double overtime victory against the Miami Heat. NC State alumnus Lorenzo Brown, Kennard’s teammate with the Pistons’ summer team, added six points and four rebounds to the win in 14 minutes off the bench. Elsewhere in Orlando, North Carolina’s Marcus Paige bounced back from a subpar game a night earlier to record 10 points and six assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in its 95-81 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Another former ACC point guard, NC State’s Cat Barber, also scored 10 points in 18 productive minutes for the Dallas Mavericks in a 94-79 win against the Indiana Pacers. Across the country in Salt Lake City, the NBA’s Utah Summer League took the day off for the Fourth of July and will resume play again on Wednesday. Here are the cumulative stats for all state players participating in the Orlando Summer League:Luke Kennard, Duke (Detroit): 3 games, 16.0 ppg, 18-43 FG, 6-16 3PT, 6-6 FT, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apgCat Barber, NCS (Dallas): 3 G, 10.7 ppg, 11-23 FG, 3-4 3PT, 7-12 FT, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apgLorenzo Brown, NCS (Detroit): 3 G, 9.0 ppg, 11-22 FG, 1-1 3PT, 4-8 FT, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apgMarcus Paige, UNC (OKC): 3 G, 8.3 ppg, 7-17 FG, 5-7 3PT, 6-8 FT, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apgMarshall Plumlee, Duke (NYK): 3 G, 8.0 ppg, 10-22 FG, 4-4 FT, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg Here are the cumulative stats for all state players participating in the Salt Lake City Summer League:Jayson Tatum, Duke (Boston): 1 G, 21.0 ppg, 8-17 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-5 FT, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 5.0 spgTony Bradley, UNC (Utah): 1 G, 8 ppg, 3-6 FG, 2-4 FT, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 bpgJ.P. Tokoto, UNC (Utah): 1 G, 6.0 ppg, 2-3 FG, 2-2 FT, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apgEric Griffin, Campbell (Utah): 1 G, 4.0 ppg, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4.0 rpg