The 2025 Summer League is over, giving fans and teams a first impression of most of the rookies, sophomores, and younger veterans of the league. With that in mind, Law Murray of the Athletic breaks down each rookie’s performance with an eye for what it could mean for the coming season.
Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), Dylan Harper (Spurs), and VJ Edgecombe (Sixers) were arguably the biggest names during the multi-city tournament, and despite some shooting efficiency concerns, all three gave their fans plenty of reason for excitement. Flagg displayed a well-rounded on-ball skillset, Harper came up clutch in his last game to force overtime, and Edgecombe lived at the free throw line while displaying some advanced ball-screen offensive game.
The next three picks in the draft, Kon Knuepple (Hornets), Ace Bailey (Jazz), and Tre Johnson (Wizards), all showed their shotmaking capability, which will likely be their primary burden in their rookie seasons. Knuepple was rewarded for his play with the only All-Summer League Second Team selection among rookies, while Nique Clifford (Kings) was the lone rookie to make the First Team, thanks to his stellar all-around play.
Other rookies, such as Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Carter Bryant (Spurs), Joan Beringer (Timberwolves), and Brooks Barnhizer (Thunder) flashed tantalizing defensive capabilities while also displaying the development needed on the offensive end of the floor.
Meanwhile, John Hollinger of the Athletic takes a look at some of the nadirs of Summer League, including the worst ejection of the tournament, awarded to the Celtics‘ Jordan Walsh for not only having an excessive foul on the Heat’s Pelle Larsson, but for accidentally throwing him into Walsh’s own front office.
In terms of players who struggled, Hollinger points to Khaman Maluach (Suns), who had difficulty catching lobs and other passes, Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans), who was unable to spearhead an offense and create for others, and the limitations of the four Nets rookies who suited up, among others.
On the non-player side, Hollinger points to an abundance of turnovers caused by stepping out of bounds, as well as the prevalence of split-screen interviews that made following the games an exercise in patience and eagle-eyed vision.