We all know that the NBA Summer League doesn’t always provide viewers with the most exciting basketball games ever.
But we also know that there are breakout stars every year who really shine and enter the regular season with so much potential.
This year, everyone was talking about a few stars such as Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and number one draft pick Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.
John Wall was something else 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZkgPg5xian
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 20, 2022
But one first-round pick is still the ultimate Summer League champion: John Wall, now of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Wall’s 23.5 points per game is still the highest Summer League average from a number one draft pick.
He’s followed by Banchero with a very promising 20 points, then Blake Griffin with 19.2.
Cade Cunningham came out swinging with 18.7 points per game while Andrew Wiggins put up 15.5 in his first Summer League games.
It’s been some time since Wall impressed in the Summer League but it’s also been some time since he impressed in the regular league too.
That could be changing soon.
Wall Ball
Wall hasn’t played an NBA game in over a year.
When he was traded to the Houston Rockets, the team expected great things from him.
But an injury sidelined him initially and then the front office and player couldn’t agree on his future within the organization.
As the Rockets fostered their young players, Wall decided to sit last year out and wait for another team to come along and snag him.
Months later, he left the Rockets and signed a new deal with the Clippers – and Wall fully intends to make up for lost time in the new season.
Will he reach his Summer League highs from yesteryear or will it take him some time to shake the rust off?
Everyone will be waiting to see what version of Wall returns to the league.
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