With the 2023 NBA Summer League in the books, it’s worth reflecting on the nearly two dozen players from North Carolina colleges and universities who looked to make the most of their opportunities in Las Vegas as they tried to help their chances of landing a roster spot.
Duke led all local schools with 11 former players on Summer League rosters, including Dallas Mavericks center and recent 12th overall pick Dereck Lively II, who averaged 8.4 points and eight rebounds in five games but looked particularly strong on the defensive side of the court.
“You have to be able to adapt on the court and learn on the fly, be able to pick up screens and defensive coverages and be able to learn the plays,” Lively told reporters on his adjustment to the league. “You have to learn the pace of the game and pace of your teammates.”
Former Blue Devil and current Philadelphia 76ers guard DJ Steward also had a strong summer showing with 16.2 points averaged throughout five games. The 21-year-old saved his best performance for last, exploding for 36 points (on 13-for-20 shooting) along with six assists on July 16.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wendell Moore Jr. (14.3 points, 2.3 rebounds in three games), Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (nine points, six rebounds in three games), Sacramento Kings guard Alex O’Connell (9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds in three games), and New York Knicks guard Trevor Keels (10.8 points, 2.8 assists in five games) also had moments of success during Summer League action.
Fove other former Dukies — Denver Nuggets guard Cassius Stanley (6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds in four games), Memphis Grizzlies forward Matthew Hurt (1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds in four games), Minnesota Timberwolves forward Theo John (.3 points, .3 rebounds in three games), Jordan Tucker (4.6 ppg for Philadelphia) and Utah Jazz center Vernon Carey Jr. (waived) — each had less successful showings this summer.
Brooklyn Nets guard Dariq Whitehead, another first-round pick (No. 22) from Duke, had to sit out summer action due to his ongoing rehab from a foot injury and subsequent surgeries. However, the 6-foot-7 wing is expected to be fully recovered and ready for the start of the 2023 season.
With four rostered players, North Carolina had the second-most Summer League participants of any local school.
Former Tar Heel and now Atlanta Hawks forward Brady Manek had the most notable impact for his team with 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games; his shooting splits were impressive as well, averaging 50% from the field and 38.1% from three.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Pete Nance (8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds in five games), Charlotte Hornets forward Leaky Black (four points, six rebounds in two games), and New Orleans Pelicans forward Garrison Brooks (6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds in five games) each looked to impress their team’s front office but with varied results.
Representing NC State, Philadelphia 76ers guard Terquavion Smith (14.4 points, five assists) and New Orleans Pelicans guard Dereon Seabron (.8 points, .2 rebounds) each had five performances on the court. Jarkel Joiner averaged 4.3 ppg in four games. Manny Bates averaged 2.0 ppg in two games for Memphis.
If Smith makes the Sixers’ roster, he would be the first Farmville Central graduate to ever play in the NBA, NFL, or MLB.
Wake Forest was also represented by three players: Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia, San Antonio guard Chaundee Brown and Chicago Bulls guard Tyree Appleby.
LaRavia (18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds in four games) averaged just three points per game in his rookie season last year after being drafted at No. 19 overall but looked much more comfortable in his recent outings. Brown and Appleby each averaged 1.0 ppg.
Rounding out the list of local Summer League participants was Minnesota Timberwolves guard Javonte Cooke (6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds in five games) out of Winston-Salem State, Washington Wizards guard Xavier Cooks (13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds in two games) out of Winthrop, Charlotte Hornets guard Jaylen Sims (nine points, one rebound in one game) out of UNC Wilmington, and Charlotte Hornets guard Tajion Jones (waived) out of UNC Asheville.
Additionally, two Wofford-based players — Memphis Grizzlies guard Nathan Hoover (4.5 points, .8 rebounds in four games) and Houston Rockets guard Fletcher Magee (11.3 points, 2.7 rebounds in three games) — each received a dosage of summer action.
Coming off the bench, Magee scored 21 points on only seven shots for the Rockets in a win over Utah on July 16.
Monroe’s Hunter Tyson led Denver with 20.8 ppg. Durham’s Jay Huff averaged 1.0 ppg for Houston. Sacha Killeya-Jones, who attended NC State, sitting out a year under transfer rules but never played for the Pack, averaged 6.7 ppg and 4.0 rebounds for the Lakers. G.G. Jackson, who committed to UNC but never played for the Heels, averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.2 rebounds for Memphis.
