The Next Class of Ballers

www.ozy.com [OZY]() Your World. Bold & Bright [Daily Dose]( Sponsored by [Cariuma]( The newsletter to fuel — and thrill — your mind. Read for deep dives into the unmissable ideas and topics shaping our world. Jul 22, 2022 Today For the hoops players who suit up for the NBA Summer League, a whole lot is at stake. Solid performances over a few weeks can be the catalyst for a multi-million-dollar contract — just ask Miami Heat guard Max Strus, [who went undrafted in 2019 and struggled to stay on an NBA roster for two years]( before signing a $3.5-million deal after just four standout games last summer. This year’s summer league wrapped up in Las Vegas on Sunday, after three weeks in three cities. These are the players to watch… – with reporting by Julian Michael Caldwell from New York, New York [Get the Timeless Look with Cariuma]( [Cariuma]( Calling all style lovers! Searching for a classic and timeless piece to add to your wardrobe? Looking for a staple sneaker? Then look no further. [Cariuma’s]( all-season low tops are favorites not only for OZY but for celebrities too. With features in Forbes, Vogue, and Rolling Stone this sneak is on everyone’s watch list. Grab them before they go out of stock with our exclusive code, OZY20, which scores you [20% off](on any sneaker of your choice!. This special offer is just for OZY readers. [Add to bag]( Top pick The next Nowitzi? Lanky 7-footer Chet Holmgren was expected to be a top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft even before taking the court for his single season at Gonzaga. Holmgren was drafted as the [number two pick]( by the Oklahoma City Thunder in June, and in his first two games in Salt Lake City, he showed that he might just live up to his hype, averaging [17 points, nine-plus rebounds, and four blocks]( in 25 minutes per game. He also [set the all-time summer league record with six blocks]( in a single game, while draining four 3-pointers on the other end of the court. In three games in Vegas, his numbers dipped to [12 points and under eight rebounds per game](, even though he logged slightly more playing time on average. Beyond his stats, some of Holmgren’s moves have fans drawing comparisons to another skilled 7-footer who enjoyed a legendary Hall of Fame career: Dirk Nowitzki. Banchero brings the magic At [6’10”]( and with the strength and ability to shoot, handle the ball, make plays for teammates, and defend multiple positions, number one overall pick Paolo Banchero brings the type of complete game that has both Orlando Magic fans and management expecting the 19-year-old to make an immediate impact in the regular season. Just two games of summer ball were enough for this former Duke University star to show that he’s the real deal. [Banchero averaged]( 20 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in those two games, which happened to be Orlando’s only two wins in Vegas. The team went on to [lose the next three]( games without him. Keegan and the Kings [No other top-10 pick]( in this year’s draft [played as many summer league games]( as the number four selection, Keegan Murray from Iowa University. In his seven games — [four in Vegas]( and [three in California]( — with the Sacramento Kings, Murray averaged almost 22 points and more than seven rebounds per game. The 6’8'' forward, who turns 22 next month, is the [oldest of the first 13 picks in the draft](. Murray is in position to play an immediately significant role for a Kings franchise, which boasts other young talent like [De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis](, and is looking to make its first playoff bid since 2006. [Walking On Sunshine]( [Cariuma]( Inspired by sunny, summer days, and lounging by the beach with a drink in hand, the [OCA Low Yellow]( is the perfect summertime sneaker. Crafted with robust canvas, this fashion-forward sneaker meets functionality, style, comfort, and fit. And with a fully-stitched lightweight outsole, it’s going to last you longer than summer (hello, quality over quantity)! OZY Exclusive: Get 20% OFF with code [OZY20]( at checkout. This special offer is just for OZY readers. [SHOP NOW]( Rookies got something to prove Kenneth Lofton Jr. At [6’7” and 275 pounds](, with an array of offensive skills, 19-year-old Kenneth Lofton Jr. isn’t the type of NBA prospect fans often see. Lofton declared for the NBA Draft after just two seasons at Louisiana Tech University, a school that also produced Hall of Famer Karl Malone and 16-year veteran Paul Millsap. Lofton went undrafted, but in seven summer league games with the Memphis Grizzlies, he showed he might be deserving of a more secure future in the NBA. [Averaging almost 15 points and more than six rebounds per game](, he also held his own against the number two pick, Holmgren. In that matchup, Lofton scored 19 points, including baskets where he went directly at the 7-footer. Blake Wesley Signing with the San Antonio Spurs as the [25th pick in the draft](, guard Blake Wesley from the University of Notre Dame barely squeezed into the first round. But in his five games in Las Vegas, the 19-year-old [averaged 17 points per game](, thereby showing that he can likely play an important role on a team that’s rebuilding after decades of dominance. JD Davison Athletic guard JD Davison decided to forgo his last three years of eligibility at the [University of Alabama]( to enter the NBA Draft this year. Davison wound up getting drafted towards the end of the second round, as [the 53rd pick]( overall, which puts him well out of reach of a guaranteed contract and roster spot. But the [6’2” floor general]( has been doing everything in his power to earn a roster spot, averaging 13 points and a [NBA 2K23 Summer League-best eight assists]( for the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics in Vegas. The exclamation point was a superb [28-point and 10-assist performance]( against the Grizzlies last week. [TAKE OUR POLL]( WATCH AARI MCDONALD on [The Carlos Watson Show](! Returning players look for a bigger role Cam Thomas While the potential departures of stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant engulf all talk about the Brooklyn Nets, Cam Thomas is making the case to play a bigger role once the smoke clears. Thomas saw extended minutes in several games during his rookie campaign last season, and [strung together a streak of nine straight games scoring in double figures]( during that time. In the summer league, the 6’3” shooting guard continued to show that he can be a force when he gets enough playing time. Thomas was one of the most consistently dominant players in Vegas, [averaging more than 27 points over five games](. Quentin Grimes For a New York Knicks franchise that [hasn’t won a playoff series since 2013](, any bright spots are certainly welcome. Heading into his second year, Quentin Grimes shined as he led the Knicks into the NBA 2K23 Summer League championship game, [averaging more than 22 points and four assists along the way](. In his sophomore season, Grimes will be vying for more playing time [along with guards Evan Fournier and Immanuel Quickley](. Jonathan Kuminga Jonathan Kuminga seems to have hit the jackpot. At 19 years old, he’s a [2021 draft lottery pick]( and an NBA champion after just one season with the Golden State Warriors. During the regular season, the high-flying forward averaged nearly [17 minutes per game](, but played a total of only eight minutes in the NBA Finals. Now Kuminga seeks a shot to make bigger contributions on a Warriors team that’s expected to be a contender once again. The Congolese native averaged [19 points over four games in Las Vegas](, which is 10 points more than his regular season average last year. [TAKE OUR POLL]( Community Corner Which young player is going to be the next breakout NBA star? Share your thoughts with us at OzyCommunity@Ozy.com. ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. [www.ozy.com]( / #OZY Curiosity. Enthusiasm. Action. That’s OZY! [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( A Modern Media Company OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](