A commanding performance from a former Sydney King headlined the Australian and NBL talent as the NBA Summer League competition heated up on days five and six.
NBL22 champion Makur Maker produced a breakout Summer League performance on Tuesday, during Chicago’s strong win against Toronto.
The former NBL Next Star with the Sydney Kings compiled 10 points (4/7 FG and 1/2 FT) – which included numerous vicious dunks and a triple – six boards and one steal in 18.18 minutes off the bench for the Bulls.
“I’m always trying to find ways to separate myself and stand out from the crowd when I’m out on the court,” Maker said post-game.
“That and my ‘stay-ready’ approach helped me out there today because you never know when your number is going to be called.
“As a group, we were all so mad that we got blown out [by New York], so our coach challenged us to respond and thankfully we did that.”
Fellow NBL big man Akoldah Gak (Illawarra) also suited up for the Bulls in the win, while former Perth mentor Trevor Gleeson coached the Raptors.
Day five
The Bucks and Celtics showdown had a distinct NBL flavour, with former Breaker Hugo Besson and Sixer Dusty Hannahs (both Milwaukee), as well as Adelaide recruit Rob Franks (Boston), all suiting up. Neither of the first two stepped on the hardwood for the Bucks while Franks contributed seven points (2/3 FG and 3/3 FT), two blocks and one rebound in the Celtics’ nail-biting 111-109 triumph.
The highly anticipated Thunder versus Magic clash was supposed to have a similar Australian influence but neither former Breaker Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City) nor RJ Hampton (Orlando) stepped on the court for their respective teams. That meant even more eyes were on point guard Josh Giddey. The former Adelaide NBL Next Star teased at a triple-double, posting 12 points (3/11 FG and 6/7 FT), eight dimes, seven rebounds and one steal in OKC’s 84-81 win.
Perth Wildcat forward Vic Law was a DNP-CD during the Jazz’s 83-82 win.
Unfortunately for Aussie hoops fans, number eight draft pick Dyson Daniels was unable to take the court for the Pelicans against the Hawks (which New Orleans won 101-73) – with reports suggesting his right ankle injury will sideline him for the remainder of the tournament.
Another to miss out on the action on Monday was former Kings Next Star Didi Louzada, who was in street clothes for the Blazers’ 88-77 win against the Knicks – who had Brian Goorjian on their coaching staff.
In more coaching news, Sydney Kings legend Matt Nielsen and his Spurs went down 97-84 to the Rockets.
Day six
Three NBL talents were involved in Tuesday’s showpiece clash and NBA Finals rematch between Golden State and Boston. Illawarra’s Justinian Jessup and Melbourne’s Yudai Baba were both on the Warriors’ bench (although neither stepped on the court), while Adelaide recruit Rob Franks played for the Celtics – adding one assist in the latter’s 103-92 win.
Phoenix, featuring Dejan Vasiljevic (Sydney), Jo Lual-Acuil (Melbourne) and Duop Reath (Illawarra) in their squad, easily overcame Dallas 105-78. Lual-Acuil produced his best performance in Vegas, with 12 points (4/6 FG and 4/4 FT) and six boards, as Vasiljevic contributed six points (2/3 FG), two rebounds and a steal. Reath didn’t suit up after sustaining an ankle injury in the last match and is most likely out for the remainder of Summer League.
To coaching, Adam Caporn’s Brooklyn Nets proved no match for the Memphis Grizzlies, falling 120-84, while Luke Kendall’s Clippers lost their battle of LA to the Lakers 83-72.
