Here’s how the NBL and Aussie talents fared across the final few days of action in Las Vegas, headlined by Jack White’s big win and the Trail Blazers claiming the title.
Former Sydney Kings NBL Next Star Didi Loudaza and his Portland Trail Blazers are the 2022 NBA Summer League champions, defeating New York 85-77 on Sunday.
Portland won its second ever Summer League crown, with Louzada recording one rebound and one assist from just under nine minutes of action.
NBL legend Brian Goorjian, who was on the Knicks coaching staff earlier in the tournament, was absent for Sunday’s decider.
Dame had no idea Blazers won the Summer League ????
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 17, 2022
(via @trendonw, h/t @BlazersArgento)pic.twitter.com/zfCWLyxF9d
Portland Trailblazers win the Summer League championship ????
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 17, 2022
First team in Summer League history to get finals rings pic.twitter.com/jWBr1kbdDb
Several days ago, Jack White made headlines, stepping up for the Denver Nuggets.
The Melbourne United forward was chasing more opportunity with the NBA franchise and in the end he did enough.
The Denver Nuggets are signing Australian F Jack White to a two-way contract, sources tell ESPN. White had a strong Summer League performance for Denver.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 17, 2022
Day 11
Ex-Perth coach Trevor Gleeson and his Raptors easily accounted for the Bucks 80-69, despite decent showings by former NBL talents Dusty Hannahs (five points, two assists and one rebound) and Hugo Besson (two boards).
Both Jo Lual-Acuil (eight points, eight boards, two steals and one dime) and Dejan Vasiljevic (five points, two assists and one steal) helped the Suns down the Pacers 84-69 in the finale – with Duop Reath (ankle) again missing out.
None of Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng (both OKC) or Dyson Daniels (New Orleans) took the court as the Pelicans won the match-up 107-71.
Cairns guard Tahjere McCall (two points, one rebound and one steal) guided Washington to an 88-77 win against Golden State, despite Yudai Babb’s nine rebounds and two points. Former Illawarra NBL Next Star Justinian Jessup was a DNP-CD in the defeat.
Finally, fresh off signing a two-way contract with the Nuggets, Jack White tallied seven points (2/3 FG and 3/4 FT), nine boards, two assists and one swipe as Denver lost to Utah – who had Vic Law suit up but not hit the court.
Denver has struck GOLD ⛏️@wojespn has reported that Jack White has signed a two-way deal with the @nuggets after shining at NBA Summer League.
— The NBL (@NBL) July 17, 2022
Congrats, @5jackwhite!
More at https://t.co/BOqtm01Vve#NBLxNBA pic.twitter.com/yifLvu76T9
Day 10
Former Perth Wildcat Luke Travers capped off his strong Summer League with a 14-point, five-rebound, one-assist effort against Atalanta in their 94-90 victory.
Ex-Breaker RJ Hampton sat out Orlando’s 102-86 loss to Detroit.
Matt Nielsen’s Spurs ended their time in Vegas on a high, downing the Grizzlies 90-87 on Saturday.
Makur Maker again shone for Chicago, chalking up 11 points (2/4 FG and 6/9 FT), seven boards and two dimes, in the 119-104 win against Philadelphia. Illawarra’s Akoldah Gak picked up another DNP-CD for the Bulls.
Adelaide signing Rob Franks was also a DNP during his Celtics’ 102-95 loss to Adam Caporn’s Nets.
Finally, Luke Kendall’s Clippers lost 86-83 to the Heat in their last tournament game.
Luke Travers closed out Summer League with a W and his best offensive outing in Vegas ????
— The NBL (@NBL) July 17, 2022
14 PTS (2 3PT) 5 REB 1 AST in the @cavs 94-90 win over the Hawks#NBLxNBA pic.twitter.com/nDH4hNaaKT
Day 9
The final round of pool games started with Utah (featuring Perth forward Vic Law – who received a DNP-CD) losing to Luke Kendall’s Clippers 82-65.
Aussie Summer League star Jack White and his Nuggets struggled mightily against the Sixers, losing 97-71 despite the United forward’s six points (3/4 FG), four boards and one steal.
Melbourne’s Yudai Baba added five quick points (2/3 FG and 1/1 FT), while Illawarra’s Justinian Jessup didn’t hit the hardwood, in Golden State’s 90-82 loss to Oklahoma City. Point guard Josh Giddey and forward Ousmane Dieng (wrist) again didn’t play for OKC.
Jo Lual-Acuil (one point, six rebounds and one assist) started at centre for Phoenix in their 82-79 loss to Sacramento – with Dejan Vasiljevic heating up in the fourth quarter, to the tune of 11 points (including three triples), one rebound, one steal and one block. Hawks big man Duop Reath was again sidelined due to an ankle injury for the Suns.
Cairns’ Tahjere McCall was exceptional off the bench for Washington, in their 97-79 defeat of Indiana. In 22.01 minutes off the bench, the guard added 13 points (4/5 FG and 5/6 FT), six boards, two dimes, four swipes and a block.
Draftee Dyson Daniels (ankle) once again sat out for the Pelicans, who lost 102-94 to the LA Lakers.
To the clipboard and former Perth mentor, Trevor Gleeson guided Toronto to the 88-78 win against Miami.
The @trailblazers are presented with the FIRST EVER @NBASummerLeague Championship rings! pic.twitter.com/cGJu8M1Ckk
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2022
