NBA Summer League 2019: Canadian Summer League Roundup

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After a historic draft saw a record six Canadians hear their name called, an influx of young Canadian talent took centre stage at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Including the six draftees, 15 Canadian players saw at least 10 minutes of action per game, with many impressing in more ways than one. Three players earned All Summer League honours with Brandon Clarke and Nickeil Alexander-Walker being named to the First Team and Chris Boucher being named to the Second Team.

Clarke made history in that he became the first player to earn League MVP and Championship Game MVP honours in the same summer, as he led the Memphis Grizzlies to a Summer League title.


For more on how each Canadian fared, we've got you covered with a recap of each of their performances in Vegas.

K. Alexander, Heat | N. Alexander-Walker, Pelicans RJ Barrett, Knicks | C. Boucher, Raptors | I. Brazdeikis, Knicks

O. Brissett, Clippers  | B. Clarke, Grizzlies | L. Dort, Thunder | M. Kabengele, Clippers | M. McIntosh, Pacers

N. Mitrou-Long, Cavs | M. Mulder, Bulls | K. Robertson, Hornets | M. Shayok, 76ers | L. Wigginton, Raptors

STATS LEADERS

Kyle Alexander, Heat

kyle-alexander

Las Vegas Summer League Stats: 5 Games – 4.8 PPG, 52.6 FG%, 6.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG in 15.6 MPG

After going undrafted, the 22-year-old Alexander landed with the Miami Heat's summer squad. The wiry big man made the most of his 6-foot-11 frame to make his mark on the boards and as a rim protector, recording 11 rebounds and three blocks in Miami's playoff loss to New Orleans.

Through his performance in the summer, Alexander earned a contract with the Miami Heat and will be reporting to training camp in Sept.


Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Pelicans

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  4 Games – 24.3 PPG, 41.2 FG%, 6.0 APG, 2.8 SPG in 30.5 MPG

Alexander-Walker, the No. 17 overall pick in this year's draft, impressed from the moment he first stepped on the floor as he finished with 23 points (on 9-16 shooting), eight assists, three steals and two blocks in his Summer League debut.

MORE: Alexander-Walker can't wait for the 2019-20 season

Throughout his time in Vegas, the combo guard impressed as both a scorer and playmaker, as he led all Canadians in both points and assists per game to earn an All Summer League First Team selection.


The 20-year-old proved to be clutch as he scored 34 points (including 14 in the fourth quarter) of the Pelicans playoff win over the Heat and stands to be a promising part of the future of basketball in New Orleans.

RJ Barrett, Knicks

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 15.4 PPG, 33.7 FG%, 8.6 RPG, 4.2 APG in 30.0 MPG

After being selected third overall by the Knicks, Barrett was the Canadian with the most anticipated debut by far. Things weren't easy out the gate, as he opened with a 10-point performance (on 4-18 shooting) in a loss to college teammate Zion Williamson and the Pelicans.

MORE: What we saw from Barrett this summer

The efficiency wasn't exactly there from the rookie in Las Vegas, as his 15.4 points per game came at a 33.7% clip but he looked comfortable, rebounded the ball well and proved to be a capable playmaker throughout the event.

History shows that you shouldn't put too much stock into Summer League performances and Barrett will be just fine moving forward.

Chris Boucher, Raptors

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  4 Games – 23.0 PPG, 49.1 FG%, 9.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG in 31.0 MPG

Boucher was the second-leading scorer among all Canadians in Las Vegas and looked like the best player on the floor each time he stepped out.

MORE: What Boucher's summer means for the future

The Montreal native continued to build upon his impressive campaign with the G League Raptors last season as he works to improve upon the weaknesses that have kept him from cracking the Toronto Raptors rotation. In short, Boucher did exactly what he was supposed to do this summer by efficiently putting up big numbers.

With his play, he earned Second-Team All-Summer League honours.


Ignas Brazdeikis, Knicks

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 15.4 PPG, 50.8 FG%, 5.2 RPG, 2.0 APG in 26.8 MPG

Brazdeikis is the second half of the Knicks Canadian rookie duo as he was acquired on draft night after being selected 47th overall. As a late second-round pick, his performance this summer caught the eyes of many.

MORE: Brazdeikis won't be overshadowed in New York

Over five games, Brazdeikis averaged an efficient 15.4 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field and beyond the arc. His offensive arsenal was on full display in his 30-point performance against the Phoenix Suns. Per  Tommy Beer , Brazdeikis was one of just five players to average over 15 points and five rebounds while shooting over 50% from the field this summer.

Oshae Brissett, Clippers

#Oshae

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 6.6 PPG, 29.2 FG%, 4.0 RPG, 0.8 SPG in 17.6 MPG

Brissett went undrafted after two years at Syracuse. While he struggled to get going from the field during his five games with the Clippers this summer, he saved his best performance for last as he scored 18 points (on 7-18 shooting) in LA's Summer League finale.

Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  6 Games – 14.7 PPG, 55 FG%, 9.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.8 BPG in 22 MPG

Clarke was nothing short of impressive in his six games in Las Vegas, posting averages of 14.7 points (on 55% shooting) and 9.8 rebounds, proving he was worth the draft-day deal the Grizzlies made to acquire him.

Through his performance in Las Vegas, Clarke was named First-Team all Summer League and Summer League MVP.


MORE: Clarke may be the steal of the draft

In the semifinals against the New Orleans Pelicans, the B.C. native recorded a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double including the game-winning dunk in the final seconds of overtime.

He followed that up with an strong performance in the championship game, recording 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, addidng Summer League championship MVP to his growing list of honours.


If this summer is any indicator, Clarke projects to have an immediate impact on the young, rebuilding Memphis franchise.

Luguentz Dort, Thunder


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 8.6 PPG, 48.6 FG%, 1.8 RPG, 0.6 APG in 18.2 MPG

Shortly after going undrafted, Dort signed a Two-Way deal with the OKC Thunder. He showed flashes in Vegas, including a 15-point performance against the 76ers summer squad.

With OKC's roster going through a number of changes, Dort could spend more time in the NBA this season than some might have initially thought.

Mfiondu Kabengele, Clippers


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  4 Games – 17.0 PPG, 40.7 FG%, 7.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 26.0 MPG

The Clippers traded for Kabengele, who was taken with the 27th overall pick, on draft night. The Burlington, ON native wasted no time showing he was well worth it as he posted a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in his debut.

MORE: Kabengele's roots have helped him along the way

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound big man continued to show he is more than capable of making an impact as he finished the event with averages of 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over four games. He even stepped beyond the arc to knock down 43.8% of his 4.0 3-point attempts per game.

MiKyle McIntosh, Pacers

#MiKyle

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 7.6 PPG, 42.4 FG%, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG in 23.8 MPG

McIntosh, who went undrafted in 2018, appeared in 25 games with the G League Raptors this past season. In five Summer League games, he posted averages of 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, including a 10-point, five-rebound performance in the Pacers finale.

Naz Mitrou-Long, Cavaliers


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  4 Games – 16.8 PPG, 43.2 FG%, 5.5 APG, 5.0 RPG in 26.8 MPG

Mitrou-Long went undrafted in 2017 and has spent the last two years with the Salt Lake City Stars and the Utah Jazz.

This summer, the Mississauga native has looked to prove he belongs in the league full time.

In four games with the Cavs in Las Vegas, Mitrou-Long did a little bit of everything, finishing with averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. His versatility was on full display as he posted 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds to lead Cleveland to a win. The backcourt is a bit crowded in Cleveland now, but Mitrou-Long has shown he's more than worthy of earning a spot on an NBA roster.

Mychal Mulder, Bulls


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 8.8 PPG, 42.1 FG%, 3.4 RPG, 0.6 APG in 23.8 MPG

Mulder has spent the past two seasons with the G League's Windy City Bulls and posted solid averages this summer. The 24-year-old's best performance came as he scored an efficient 18 points (on 6-10 shooting) against the Cavs in Vegas.

Kassius Robertson, Hornets


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  3 Games – 5.3 PPG, 42.9 FG%, 1.0 RPG, 0.3 SPG in 16.0 MPG

Robertson went undrafted in 2018 and spent the past season playing in the Basketball Bundesliga Champions League. He appeared in three Summer League games with the Hornets and made sure to showcase his athleticism.

Marial Shayok, 76ers


Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  4 Games – 14.5 PPG, 46.0 FG%, 4.3 RPG, 2.8 APG in 20.8 MPG

Shayok was taken 54th overall in this year's draft and could very well be the biggest steal.

The 6-foot-6 forward signed a Two-Way deal with the Sixers but provides a number of skills that Philadelphia desperately needs this upcoming season. Shayok is smooth driving the ball as well as in transition and shot the 3-ball at a high clip, connecting on 40.0% of his 5.0 attempts per game.

Judging by his performance in Las Vegas, Shayok is primed to have an impact with the Sixers and their G League affiliate this year.

Lindell Wigginton, Raptors

Las Vegas Summer League Stats:  5 Games – 7.4 PPG, 33.3 FG%, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 APG in 15.0 MPG

Wigginton went undrafted in 2019 after an injury caused him to miss time during his sophomore season at Iowa State. It got off to a rough start, but the native of Dartmouth, NS closed his time in Vegas by scoring 26 points while shooting 8-for-12 from the field.

Stats Leaders

Points

Rank Player G PPG
1 N. Alexander-Walker, Pelicans 4 24.3
2 C. Boucher, Raptors 4 23.0
3 M. Kabengele, Clippers 4 17.0

Rebounds

Rank Player G RPG
1 B. Clarke, Grizzlies 6 9.8
2 C. Boucher, Raptors 4 9.8
3 RJ Barrett, Knicks 5 8.6

Assists

Rank Player G APG
1 N. Alexander-Walker, Pelicans 4 6.0
2 N. Mitrou-Long, Cavaliers 4 5.5
3 RJ Barrett, Knicks 5 4.2
Author(s)
Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.