After Cooper Flagg referred to his Thursday Summer time League debut as “one of many worst video games of my life,” his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel conveyed an identical sentiment within the wake of a 1-of-8 efficiency from the sphere on Friday in his first Summer time League sport with the Hornets.
“In all probability one of many worst video games I’ve performed shortly,” Knueppel stated, per Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. “I simply couldn’t get one to go. Didn’t really feel nice, particularly lacking free throws. However I believed I did job defensively, held my very own. I’ve obtained to be slightly smarter with the ball. A few dangerous turnovers nevertheless it’s good to get my ft beneath me slightly bit and prepare for the following sport.”
Though Knueppel struggled to attain, Charlotte’s different rookies made a optimistic first impression. Liam McNeeley, specifically, had an enormous debut in Vegas, registering a team-high 22 factors, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in 28 minutes off the bench to assist lead the Hornets to a win over Utah.
Right here’s extra from across the Southeast:
- Showing on ESPN At present on Friday (YouTube hyperlink), Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley spoke glowingly about new addition Desmond Bane, stating that it’s “improbable” to have the veteran wing on his roster. “He was within the fitness center the opposite day with Franz (Wagner) and Anthony Black already,” Mosley stated. “Simply his work ethic, his character, his care issue, simply (the) management that he brings to the desk goes to be so particular for us.”
- Former first-round choose Josh Christopher, who spent final season on a two-way contract with Miami, was a late addition to the Hawks‘ Summer time League roster, tweets Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Structure. The 6’4″ guard didn’t play in any respect on Friday in Atlanta’s first sport in Vegas.
- Throughout an ESPN interview at halftime of the Hawks‘ Friday sport, normal supervisor Onsi Saleh stated the group “couldn’t be extra completely happy” with the event of final yr’s No. 1 total choose Zaccharie Risacher, per Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com (Twitter hyperlink). “He has gotten his physique so proper, particularly given how younger he’s,” Saleh stated. “… I noticed him within the summertime and he regarded like he placed on some extra weight.”
- There weren’t a ton of shiny spots for the Wizards of their blowout loss to Phoenix on Friday, however the play of No. 6 total choose Tre Johnson was one in every of them, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Johnson scored 18 factors on 7-of-13 capturing and earned reward from coach J.J. Outlaw and his teammates for his Summer time League debut. “He performed aggressive. He performed with a number of confidence, which was anticipated,” second-year ahead Kyshawn George stated. “It was his first sport, his first begin. He’s solely going to get higher from right here.”
