LSU Basketball: A look at former Tigers playing in 2021 NBA Summer League
The NBA summer league finished up its Las Vegas league, how did the seven former LSU Basketball players that participated do?
Seven former LSU Tigers partook in the NBA Summer Leagues. Jarell Martin (2013-15) was the most seasoned former Tiger while Javonte Smart, Trendon Watford, and Cameron Thomas are rookies.
7. Skylar Mays, Atlanta Hawks
The No. 50 overall draft pick (2020) of the Hawks saw very limited time during Summer League action, totaling 8 points on 4-for-4 shooting in just 13 minutes of action. He also grabbed two rebounds, doled out an assist, and came up with a pair of steals.
Mays, who was on a two-way contract with Atlanta, is a restricted free agent. The 6-4 shooting guard averaged 3.8 points and 1.8 caroms in 33 appearances with the Hawks. He received a qualifying offer from the Hawks meaning that Mays will once again bounce back and forth to and from the G-League.
6. Tremont Waters, Houston Rockets
The unrestricted free agent joined the Rockets in Vegas for the final two games of the summer league. Waters struggled mightily with both his shooting and ball-handling, although he was a menace on the defensive end and did an excellent job rebounding the ball. The 5-10 point guard averaged 7.0 points a game while shooting just 16.7% from the field and 11.1% from the 3-point line. He grabbed 5.5 rebounds, doled out 4.5 assists, committed 3.0 turnovers, and came up with 3.5 steals.
The 2020 G-League Rookie of the Year averages 3.8 points on 36.1% shooting (30.6% from 3-point range) to go along with 2.1 assists, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 37 career NBA contests. It is likely that Waters will end up in the G-League this season.
5. Javonte Smart, Miami Heat
The 6-4 guard struggled mightily shooting the ball this summer, in both the California Classic and in Las Vegas? Smart produced 33 points while connecting on 25% (13-52) of his shots from the floor and 21.7% ( 5-23) from long distance, although he was 4 of 5 (80%) from the free-throw line. The undrafted rookie added 17 rebounds, 13 assists, 12 turnovers, and 5 steals in six appearances.
Smart has signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Heat, meaning he will likely be headed to the G-League.
4. Jarell Martin, Utah Jazz
The 6-10 veteran forward showed out on the last day of Summer League action (Aug. 17). Martin made the most of his most extensive playing time of the summer by posting a double-double (23 points, 12 rebounds) to go along with four steals and four dimes against Philadelphia. He finished with 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55.6% from the field over 14.3 minutes in four Las Vegas appearances. Martin also played a pair of games for the Jazz’s Blue squad in the Salt Lake City Summer League, putting up 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 turnovers in 18 minutes of action. Martin played in Australia this past season and while it is conceivable that the 27-year-old receives a training camp invite, he will likely once again be playing abroad (or G-League) this upcoming season.
3. Trendon Watford, Portland Trailblazers
The 6-9 forward, who went undrafted in 2021, had several well-rounded games. Watford hustled constantly and played well defensively. He arguably had his best game of the summer in the Blazers game 4, nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. The 20-year-old averaged 5.4 points, on 42.1% shooting, to go along with 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in four appearances. Watford is currently on a two-way contract with Portland.
2. Antonio Blakeney, Portland Trail Blazers
The 24-year-old, who was in the G-League, this past season put his scoring ability on full display in Vegas, topping the 20-point plateau twice. Blakeney produced 17.7 points on 55.6% shooting from the field, 36.4% from the 3-point line, and 80% from the charity stripe. He also grabbed 3.8 rebounds a game.
Someone will invite the 6-4 guard to training camp, at least, if not sign him to a multiple-year partially guaranteed deal.
1. Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
The No. 27 overall draft pick in 2021 “killed it” during his stay in Las Vegas, earning co-MVP honors — along with Davion Mitchell — as he led the league with 27.0 points a game on 42.3% shooting and 36% on 3-pointers while averaging 1.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
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Thomas also attempted a league-high 9.8 free throws, connecting them at an 84.6% clip. He topped the 30-point mark twice, which included a summer-high 36 points against Washington on Aug. 15.