By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
At the launch of the 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League held in Las Vegas, Paolo Banchero helped the Orlando Magic defeat the Houston Rockets, 91-77, in Thomas & Mack Center Thursday.
Banchero, 19, debuted in the NBA Summer League, a couple of weeks after being picked up with the first selection of the 2022 NBA draft. The youngster, eligible to play at the international level with Italy, made 5/12 field goals in a 17-point effort powered by six assists, four rebounds, and one steal. Fellow rookie Caleb Houstan produced a team-high 20 points.
French guard Killian Hayes fouled out with seven points, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 22 minutes as the Detroit Pistons edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 81-78. Also in action in Las Vegas, Serbian Balsa Koprivica logged one rebound in seven minutes for the Pistons. Young forward Keon Johnson scoring 21 points was not enough for the Blazers.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Salt Lake City Summer League concluding included Spanish Santi Aldama producing 13.5 points per game and Serbian Aleksej Pokusevski packing 10.0 points per game. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder shared first place with the Philadelphia 76ers with Utah Jazz settling for the bottom spot in the standings.
The 2022 California Classic Summer League Portuguese center Neemias Queta help the Sacramento Kings top the standings with a 3-0 record and Serbian forward Nikola Jovic averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game introducing himself to the Miami Heat.
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