Meleek Thomas, the No. 34 overall pick, is officially the top scorer through Wednesday at NBA Summer League in Vegas, absolutely putting on a show. The kid's stock is soaring after he dropped 30 and 35 points in his last two outings, also snagging 4 assists and 2 steals per game in three Vegas games. If you're a Cavaliers fan, you just watched what looks like the steal of the draft.
Rookies Staking Their Claim Early
Vegas is absolutely buzzing right now, and not just because everyone's waiting on where LeBron's gonna land next. We're seeing some real talent emerge, and Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick for the Hawks, is straight up one of the best playmakers and defenders out there. Through four games, he's averaging 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks. His shot hasn't caught fire yet, but his ball security, leadership, and defense are settling in so fast. Another first-rounder, Zuby Ejiofor, is also strong defensively, piling up 3 stocks along with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Over in Brooklyn, Mikel Brown Jr. has shown he's the best guard in this class outside Darryn Peterson. His motor, IQ, playmaking, and defense were on full display in three games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals on killer 47/44/80 shooting splits in just 19.9 minutes. He even gave Darius Acuff Jr. "hell" on Tuesday. The Bulls also have a star in the making with Caleb Wilson, who looks like the top of the class, while undrafted guard Jaylin Sellers has been way more impactful than No. 15 pick Dailyn Swain, who's struggled out of the gate.Surprises, Struggles, and Serious Progress
It's not just the new faces lighting it up, either. Charlotte's Liam McNeeley, a second-year pro, has been clearly their best player, making huge offseason improvements as a sneaky playmaker and primary scoring option in Vegas. He's got a real shot at making the All-Summer League team. Meanwhile, second-year forward Asa Nowell for the Hawks is making steady progress, even while shooting 43.8 percent across Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Over in Boston, Hugo González looks ready for a real bump in minutes after Jaylen Brown left. Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. has been an impressive rim protector, swatting nine shots in three games, and Dillon Mitchell? Explosive and disruptive on the wing. Not everyone's hitting their stride, though. Charlotte's Christian Anderson Jr. and Sion James both underwhelmed, struggling to run the offense and take care of the ball. The Nets' Ben Saraf and Drake Powell still have a long way to go, though Powell finally broke out of a brutal 1-for-28 shooting slump on Tuesday night. Dallas rookie Morez Johnson Jr. had a memorable debut with 27 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, but then got held to just 10 points on 4-for-15 shooting against the Lakers. He's been active defensively, though, tallying 11 stocks in two games. As Summer League wraps up this Sunday, every game feels like an audition. These players are giving us a serious glimpse into who's ready to bring that fire when the regular season rolls around.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.