Clingan, Sanogo shining; Castle, Spencer sidelined in Vegas NBA Summer League
After strong showings by Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle in early Summer League action, the UConn players in Vegas Summer League are continuing to shine, especially the recent draftees. Overall, nine former Huskies are on rosters.
Donovan Clingan has been making Blazers fans happy that they drafted him with the 7th overall pick. So far he’s demonstrated his defensive prowess and playmaking ability, with 13 rebounds and five blocks in his first game Saturday night followed by eight points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and this tremendous slam in his second game Monday night against the 76ers.
Clingan said he was unhappy with his first performance but happier with the second.
“I feel like I protected the rim at a high level,” he said, adding that he was happy that he avoided illegal screens while making good reads. “I feel like I can see things before they happen…just try to make the right pass,” he said, after the five-assist effort.
On Tuesday night, against No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards, he finished with a solid eight points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks and neutralized Sarr, who finished 0-for-15 on the night.
Clingan’s first game, on Sunday night, was against Steph Castle’s San Antonio Spurs. Castle scored 22 points in that contest but took a hard fall and is sitting out the rest of the Summer League. He ends the summer with three games under his belt, flourishing in all three.
“I feel like my teammates and our coaching staff have a lot of confidence in me, just to go out there, play my game, play free, not have anything in the back of miy mind, it’s been great for me,” he said.
Spurs’ leadership has a lot of faith in their first-round pick.
“I love his seriousness for such a young kid,” head coach Gregg Popovich said in a sideline interview. “He doesn’t go too fast, he doesn’t go too slow, he reads the situations…He seeks contact, he’s an excellent defender and he makes wonderful decisions. He’s gonna be a quick study I think and get to play on the court quicky.”
Cam Spencer picked up right where he left off in the Grizzlies’ Salt Lake summer games, scoring 15 and 11 points in two wins. The team’s leadership has indicated that Spencer will have a role with the team moving forward. He didn’t play in their most recent game after an injury but has already earned fans for his fierce competitiveness and basketball IQ.
Fresh off of signing a new contract with the Chicago Bulls, Adama Sanogo has rewarded his franchise’s faith with at least 10 points in each of his Summer League outings. He dropped 17 and grabbed 12 in his debut and followed it up with 16 and eight the next night.
After a quiet start to his summer action, Tristen Newton had a solid showing Tuesday night with 10 points in 23 minutes. His shot wasn’t falling but he made an impact by hitting all eight of his free throws and dishing six assists.
After spending the last year in international leagues, Isaiah Whaley is getting a chance with the Dallas Mavericks on their Summer League roster. Whaley spent the 2022-2023 season with the Charlotte Hornets’ Greensboro Swarm.
Tyrese Martin is on the Brooklyn Nets after spending most of last season on the Minnesota Timberwolves G League squad. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2022 with the 51st overall pick, making 16 appearances for the Hawks and starring for their G League team before being waived. On Tuesday night he scored 16 points while grabbing five rebounds.
Andre Jackson had a highlight putback dunk and earned some praise from his head coach for what he brings to the table. He’s averaging 18 minutes per game and doing a little bit of everything, as he’s been known to do.
Jordan Hawkins is averaging 16.3 points per game in three contests for the Pelicans. The 2023 first-round pick is vying for playing time in a crowded backcourt but has the green light in Summer League, averaging 15.7 shots per game.
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