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NBC Sports
7 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Top 15 most interesting players at 2025 NBA Summer League: Cooper Flagg, Yang Hansen, Reed Sheppard
LAS VEGAS — Summer League is a lot of things: Part celebration of young NBA talent, part NBA convention, part networking event, part owners meetings, part party… And there's basketball. A lot of basketball. It's the first chance for many fans and media members to get a look at the top draft picks in person and see how their games translate in a quasi-NBA setting. It's also a chance to see how players who have been in the league for a year or two have improved. Here are the 15 most interesting players I saw in Las Vegas, broken down by category. This is an incomplete list and only includes players I saw in Las Vegas. That means guys such as Ace Bailey are not on here (he has yet to play in Vegas). The Big Names Cooper Flagg The No. 1 pick lived up to the hype. What makes Flagg such a promising prospect is that his floor is high — on nights his shot is not falling, he remains an elite defender and shot blocker, he runs the floor hard, makes smart passes, and he can be a secondary shot creator. That's what happened in his debut. Mavericks' Cooper Flagg with the monster help side block, transition push and assist for go-ahead jumper in final minute vs. Lakers Flagg struggled with his shot in his first game (5-of-21) and there are going to be moments like that during his rookie season. His ability to create and consistently knock down shots is the only real question about his game entering the league, and consistency with that will take some time to develop. That said, Flagg bounced back with 31 points in his second outing, showing off his ability to drive and finish with either hand. Cooper Flagg's second Summer League game: - 31 points - 4 rebounds - 1 assist - 1 block - 10/20 FG - 3/8 3P - 8/13 FT - 31 minutes This kid is special.#MFFL While Flagg looked good with the ball in his hands, he looked better playing off it, and that will be more of his role in Dallas where D'Angelo Russell in the short term and Kyrie Irving long term (once healthy), not to mention Anthony Davis, will facilitate the offense most of the time. Dylan Harper Spurs fans had to wait to see the No. 2 pick, he didn't play in the California Classic games or in the Spurs' Las Vegas Summer League opener due to a groin issue. When he did take the court, he impressed, showing flashes of his athleticism and putting up highlights — and not just on the offensive end. NO. 2 PICK DYLAN HARPER GETS WAY UP FOR THE SWAT 😱 Harper was smooth on offense, showing control of his pace to get into the lane and the ability to finish with either hand at the rim, or hit a little floater. He finished in Vegas averaging 16 points a game, but shooting 35.7% from the floor — there is some work to do, but Harper impressed with how he played and his body control. He's going to be special. smoooth with it @dy1anharper 😮💨 VJ Edgecombe After creating a buzz by dropping 28 points in the Salt Lake Summer League, Edgecombe's Las Vegas debut was delayed until Tuesday night due to a thumb injury. When he finally got back on the court, he impressed with a couple of athletic defensive plays in transition to take away scoring opportunities, and his drive-and-dish game was on. What was not on was his shot. Edgecombe shot 0-of-7 from the floor in the first half, but he wasn't making excuses. 'Simple, I was just missing shots. Ain't nothing I can say about that,' Edgecombe said. In the second half, he started to get downhill to the rim more, and with that, he found his shot, hitting 4-of-7 on his way to finishing with 15 points. Forget the shooting struggles, plenty of promising rookies have them at Summer League, it was the way he did everything else that makes us think Edgecombe is going to get plenty of run in Philly this season. VJ Edgecombe in his #NBA2KSummerLeague debut: 🔔 15 PTS 🔔 6 REB 🔔 4 AST 🔔 3 STL 🔔 76ers W Yang Hansen Yang's style of play is infectious — it had the other Trail Blazers in Las Vegas playing hard and cutting off him, knowing he could find them with a pass. It was also infectious for the crowds, who turned out in large numbers to see the Chinese star play. He didn't disappoint them. The Yang Hansen show premiered in Las Vegas tonight! 🏀 10 PTS 🏀 4 REB 🏀 5 AST 🏀 3 BLK A walking highlight reel in his Trail Blazers summer debut. Yang's passing skills are as advertised, he sees the court and makes passes that few big men can. He's also got a nice 15-foot jumper, and he can bully his way to the paint in a mismatch. There is a lot to like about his game. There is also a long way to go — his defense is unimpressive (especially away from the rim) and he's going to have to get a lot stronger. Still, there was plenty to like about the Trail Blazers' surprise first-round pick. Bronny James Summer League is a benchmark for young players — it's not the raw numbers we see from second-year players, it's how much they improve season over season. Are we seeing growth? With Bronny James, the answer is a clear yes. His defense has always been good, but his handles and decision-making came with a lot more confidence this year. 'His passing out of the pick and rolls and really seeing,' Lakers Summer League coach Lindsey Harding said of Bronny's improvement. 'And it's not just the pass to the big rolling, it's if the low man comes over, he sees the man in the corner. Right? It's the whole floor. And I think it's easy to see one read, but, like, he's developing everything else. Understanding where everyone else is on the floor and where their defenders are coming from.' Bronny's shot is still a work in progress, and if he wants to be a regular rotation player that has to become consistent, but he looks like a guy who can handle a few more minutes for the Lakers this season. Guys too good for Summer League Matas Buzelis The Bulls' Buzelis is getting the chance to run an offense in Las Vegas and show he is ready for more. His first game was a little rough around the edges (17 points on 4-of-14 shooting with four turnovers), but in his second outing he reminded everyone he is better than just about every other player in Vegas. He can run an offense, and he is too good to be here. Matas Buzelis (28 PTS) put on a SHOW in the @chicagobulls #NBA2KSummerLeague win 🤩 Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard was a standout a year ago at Summer League, but that didn't buy him consistent run during last season on a deep Rockets team. Back in Las Vegas, Sheppard has looked impressive again and just too good for this level, averaging 23 points a game. What should make coach Ime Udoka happy is that Sheppard just looks stronger and seems more comfortable with the physicality of the game, something he needs if he's going to get into the Rockets rotation as expected this season. Ajay Mitchell Ajay Mitchell re-signed with the Thunder for three years, $8.7 million this summer... so what is he doing in Las Vegas? Getting the reps and run he can't get on a championship roster. He's averaged 20 points a game, shooting 51.4% overall, with six rebounds and 4.3 assists a night, and is handling Vegas just fine (after three years of college parties in Isla Vista, before going pro, Vegas' party scene isn't going to faze him). Kyle Filipowski Filipowski is the leading scorer in Las Vegas, averaging 29.3 points a game on 56.1% shooting, including 39.1% from beyond the arc, plus 7.7 rebounds a game (in 28.6 minutes a night). Filipowski came on in the second half of last season in Utah and has taken a step forward from there. Utah shut him down after three games in Vegas (plus a couple in the Salt Lake City Summer League). Kyle Filipowski - Game 3 - Vegas Summer League highlights Flip played 31 minutes and finished with 35 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal . .#JazzNation #UtahJazz #TakeNote#NBA #NBA2KSummerLeague#KyleFilipowski #NBASummerLeague Guys Who Caught My Eye Joan Beringer Rudy Gobert is still an elite defender, but he is 33 and expensive, the Timberwolves might need to move on from him in a couple of years. It's just a few Summer League games, but one can envision Beringer, the French center that the Timberwolves took at No. 17, sliding into that defensive center role. He impressed with his athleticism and defense — recording Beringer 11 points, eight rebounds and six blocks in his Summer League debut. He's averaged 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game in Las Vegas. NO FLY ZONE 😳 French rookie Joan Beringer with back-to-back blocks in Summer League for the Wolves 😯 Noah Penda The No. 32 pick in June's draft has shown a real versatility for the Orlando Magic (who traded some seconds to get him). He's averaged 11.3 points a game on 56.7% shooting, including 40% from beyond the arc, and has initiated the offense while playing point forward and even some stretch five. Most importantly, the French player has a high IQ game and is going to find a spot in the NBA. 'He's just got a knack for where to be on the floor, his instincts are phenomenal. I thought his rebounding for us was huge today. His ability to pick up things on the fly,' Magic coach Ameer Bahhur said. 'We played him at the five today, which he had never done before.... His versatility allowed us to use him as another ball handler to relieve pressure and bring the ball up the court. And he did a great job, whether he was at the four, whether he was at the five, he got us into what we needed to do and he helped us run our offense.' Daniss Jenkins The former St. John's star emerged from Rick Pitino's world to earn a two-way contract with the Pistons — he should get at least that this season, maybe more. With Detroit in Vegas, he is playing fantastic defense — he's the reason Reed Sheppard had a relatively tough first night — and he's averaging 17.3 points a game while shooting 58.3% in 3-pointers. He can just flat-out play. Daniss Jenkins with the AND-1 DUNK!@DetroitPistons | #NBA2KSummerLeague Ryan Kalkbrenner He was a defensive anchor at Creighton, and that has translated nicely to his role for Charlotte in Summer League — he is a strong defender in the paint, averaging 2.3 blocks a game in Las Vegas. He's also scoring 8.7 points per game, although his rebounding and ability to be a stretch big need some work. Still, the potential is there, which is why Charlotte locked up the No. 34 pick with a four-year, $9.9 million contract. Yuki Kawamura Everyone loves Yuki — somebody give that man a two-way deal. He was on a two-way contract with Memphis and has earned at least another one of those from someone while playing for Chicago this summer. Yuki Kawamura DAZZLES in the @chicagobulls W in Vegas 💫💯 15 PTS 10 AST (several are 😱) 3 STL Ryan Nembhard The brother of Andrew Nembhard went undrafted because he was considered too small and there were a lot of questions about his shooting. What he showed in Las Vegas is that the former Gonzaga star knows how to run a team and be a strong floor general, and his shot is better than advertised, averaging 11.3 points a game. Nembhard is on a two-way contract with Dallas and will have the opportunity to prove his worth. Carter Bryant That other guy the Spurs drafted in the lottery (No. 14) turns out to be a defensive terror on the wing — he bothered Cooper Flagg more than any other player defending him in Las Vegas. You can see where he fits in San Antonio if he can develop a respectable offensive game, something that we have not seen in Las Vegas, where he is shooting 12.5% through three games. Still, the thought of a Spurs opponent struggling to drive past Bryant on the wing only to run into Victor Wembanyama in the paint is potentially terrifying.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg receives a heartfelt gesture from LA Raiders' Maxx Crosby
Cooper Flagg and Maxx Crosby. Image via: Getty Images Cooper Flagg has taken to creating his history in the big league. Up until the eye-catching moment in the Summer League Game, it took fans by surprise. NFL star Maxx Crosby was seen in court. His courtside visit during the Summer League added a spark to the game. Fans were amazed to see the star attending an NBA match. Amidst everything, the Mavericks' star, Cooper Flagg, was seen hugging Maxx Crosby. This heartwarming gesture was felt across the court. Fans were excited to see both the NBA and the NFL stars sharing an adorable moment. Cooper Flagg's tremendous rise in the game was highly encouraged by the NFL star, as he showered his praise on the 18-year-old. Cooper Flagg earns high praise from NFL star Maxx Crosby amid Summer League Game After the Mavericks' fourth loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Summer League, Cooper Flagg managed to secure a position in the league. Despite the loss, he did remarkably and stole the spotlight. This was marked by a great gesture and notable praise from the NFL star, Maxx Crosby. This moment lit a spark among the fans and media. Maxx Crosby posted a picture of the two posing in front of the camera, 'Dallas Got a Great One. 🦅💎', he captioned. The post caught the attention of the fans and immediately went viral. NFL star Maxx Crosby's Twitter post created a flurry of reaction among fans Maxx Crosby's warm gesture to this 18-year-old NBA star has gotten numerous fan reactions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The video, as well as the picture, went viral, and fans started flooding social media. One of them wrote, 'Legends meeting legends'. Another one said, 'When the worlds of football and basketball collide—let's see if the crossover can make it to the courts! 🤔 😇'. Another fan said, 'Elite recognizes elite 💯 Cooper Flagg and Maxx Crosby linking up is straight power and potential in one frame! 🔥💪'. Their support for the young NBA player could be seen through their comments. Cooper Flagg's notable performance in the Summer League had earned him respect from NBA veteran Shaquille O'Neal After scoring remarkably in the Summer League against the San Antonio Spurs, it caught the eye of the NBA veteran, Shaquille O'Neal. With a legit 32 points, he proved that he can dominate the game with his exceptional skills. 'Great young man. I know both his parents very, very well,' said Shaquille O'Neal. 'Everything about this city, this organization, it's going to be the right place. And then we'll give him time to develop. We all remember Dirk [Nowitzki] wasn't Dirk when he first got here. I think this is a great organization, a great town for him to start off his NBA career.', he further added. Also read: Megan Thee Stallion Confirms Her Relationship With NBA Player, Klay Thompson; Makes Red Carpet Debut With Her Beau Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight? Status update for Dallas Mavericks NBA Summer League
Cooper Flagg's days in the NBA Summer League appear to be over now that he put a disastrous debut behind him. His second appearance with the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas went a lot smoother than when the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft played his unofficial first game against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. After Flagg had an uneven performance in which he shot 5 for 21 from the field facing the Lakers, Flagg finished with 31 points in a showdown against the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper on Saturday, July 12. It may have been the last glimpse of Flagg in a game until the NBA preseason this fall. He did not play in the Mavericks' next summer league game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, July 14, and that's likely to be his status for the remainder of NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas. Here are the latest updates on Flagg ahead of the Mavericks' NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, July 16: UPDATE: Adam Silver once called NBA expansion manifest destiny but timeline is murky Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight vs. 76ers? No. Flagg is not expected to play in the Mavericks' NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 16. The Mavericks elected to shut Flagg down for the rest of summer league play after two games, according to multiple reports, and made the decision official following Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets when Flagg watched from the bench in street clothes. 'We just took it game-by-game and kind of just wanted to feel out how everything was going,' Mavericks summer league coach Josh Broghamer told reporters. 'And then (coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison) made the decision from there. It was just more a day-by-day thing.' Dallas has at least one game remaining in NBA Summer League following Wednesday's matchup with the 76ers. Cooper Flagg summer league stats Here are Flagg's stats through two games of NBA Summer League action with the Dallas Mavericks: Watch NBA Summer League with Fubo Mavericks vs. 76ers: TV, streaming for NBA Summer League
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kyrie Irving drops powerful 3-word message as Phil Handy set to wear Dallas Mavericks jersey
Kyrie Irving drops powerful 3-word message as Phil Handy set to wear Dallas Mavericks jersey (Image Source: Getty Images) Kyrie Irving shared a special moment this week as the Dallas Mavericks welcomed a new coach to their staff. Veteran NBA assistant Phil Handy entered the Mavericks' Dallas practice facility and Irving welcomed him with a loving hug and a light three-word message. Three-time NBA champion coach Handy had worked with Irving during their successful run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. NBA veteran coach Phil Handy joins Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving greets him with 3-word message On July 15, the Dallas Mavericks hired Phil Handy as a new coach. Handy is a three-time NBA champion. He last worked with the Los Angeles Lakers and was with the Lakers until the 2023–24 season. As Handy entered the Mavericks' practice facility in Dallas, Texas, he was welcomed by Kyrie Irving with a big hug and a simple, cheerful greeting: 'Sup, Dallas Mav?!!' The moment was captured in a video posted by the Mavericks and reshared on the social media platform X. The quick three-word message didn't just welcome Handy, it reminded fans of the long bond between the two. Kyrie Irving and Phil Handy go way back. Handy was a key player development coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their 2015–16 NBA championship run, where Irving played a major role. That season, under head coach Tyronn Lue and staff members like Handy, Irving averaged 19.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3 rebounds. His performance peaked during the 2016 NBA Finals, when he scored 41 points in Game 5 alongside LeBron James . 'Ky is an unbelievable talent,' Phil Handy said in a 2021 interview with Basketball News. 'The challenge was helping him understand how powerful his game could be with focused work.' How Phil Handy helped Kyrie Irving grow into a champion The connection between Phil Handy and Kyrie Irving began in 2013, when Handy joined the Cavaliers' coaching staff. Irving was still developing as a young guard. Handy, known for building strong relationships with players, became one of the few coaches Irving trusted deeply. In a 2020 interview on The James Posey Podcast, Handy said he had an honest conversation with Irving during those early years: 'Do you want to be a good player on a losing team, or one of the best point guards in the game?' Handy recalled asking. That moment stuck with Irving. Handy claims that Irving worked harder, changed his diet, and concentrated on every aspect of his game. Their cooperation in the 2016 Finals against the Golden State Warriors was rewarded. Still among the most memorable shots in NBA history is Irving's game-winning three-pointer in Game 7. Now in 2025, the two reunite under head coach Jason Kidd in Dallas. Handy joins a star-studded staff that includes Frank Vogel, Mike Penberthy, and Jay Triano. Handy had taken time off from the NBA after leaving the Lakers but stayed active, coaching in the new women's Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. In an Instagram post, Handy said, 'The last year off was needed... I became a better coach. I'm honored to join a great organization, city, coaches, and players.' Also Read: LeBron James draws an unusual analogy while revisiting his NBA Finals runs The reunion with Irving isn't just about coaching, it's about unfinished business. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
NBC Sports
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Mavericks' Dereck Lively II reportedly has surgery on right foot, expected to be ready for start of season
Kyrie Irving is undergoing rehab for his ACL tear and will miss much, if not all, of the coming season. Anthony Davis is undergoing rehab following retina surgery on his eye, but he is expected to be ready to go for the start of training camp. Now add Dereck Lively II to the recovery list — he has undergone surgery to remove bone spurs in his right foot, a story broken by Marc Stein. His foot was placed in a walking boot after the procedure, but he is expected to be ready to play when Dallas opens training camp in September, according to subsequent reports. Lively played in just 36 games last season due to a small fracture in his foot (or ankle, depending on the report. (How to best treat Lively and pushing him to play reportedly was a flash point in a disagreement between members of the Mavericks' medical and training teams, with athletic performance director Keith Belton now gone from the franchise.) Due to the injury, Lively averaged 8.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, playing 23 minutes a night when he was on the court. Lively is part of a very talented and deep front-court rotation for the Mavericks next season. Lively and Daniel Gafford are the more traditional rim-running centers, with Anthony Davis then playing the four (his preferred spot). However, that pushes No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg to the three, when watching him in Summer League he seems more like a point-forward four — expect Jason Kidd to have Davis at the five and Flagg at the four at key points this season. Also, P.J. Washington is coming off the bench in that mix. That's a lot of talent up front, and it appears Lively will now be healthy enough to play a larger role this season.
