By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest batch of NBA 2K24 Summer League games in Las Vegas received a major highlight with Bilal Coulibaly stuffing the stat sheet for the Washington Wizards.
Coulibaly, 18, was selected seventh overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and traded to the Wizards. The former teammate of Victor Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92 and fellow French upstart has been on a roll throughout Summer League and once more was impressive Friday.
The young small forward went for 19 points behind 5/10 field goals, four blocks, four rebounds, and three assists in 32 minutes. Leading efforts resulted in the win, 105-89, against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Cox Pavilion. Complementing solid showings, he is averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 2.0 assists per contest so far in the Summer League.
Recovering from a sluggish start, French Ousmane Dieng recorded 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block for the Thunder. The 11th pick of the 2022 draft is preparing for his sophomore NBA campaign.
Samanic, Cazalon, and more European talent
Wrapping up the schedule of games at Cox Pavilion, the Utah Jazz edged out the Phoenix Suns, 97-93. Croatian Luka Samanic scoring 22 points with 8/15 field goals, including four three-pointers, was among the top performers. For the losing side, Belgian Toumani Camara put in 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, and German Louis Olinde finished with three points and two rebounds.
French guard Malcolm Cazalon dropped 16 points alongside four rebounds and one steal as the Detroit Pistons got the win, 79-73, over the San Antonio Spurs in Thomas & Mack Center. British Tosan Evbuomwan added nine points, two steals, two rebounds, and two assists. For the Spurs, French Sidy Cissoko tallied six points, five rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and one steal.
Tipping in for the Denver Nuggets in the 112-81 victory versus the Miami Heat, French Ismael Kamagate produced six points and seven rebounds to go with two blocks over 15 minutes. Packing 5.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 0.3 steals per contest, he is heading to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan for the 2023-24 season.
Turkish Tarik Biberovic, the 56th selection of the 2023 draft, connected four triples for 12 points, plus three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, he helped the Memphis Grizzlies in the blowout win, 100-69, against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ukrainian center Dmytro Skapintsev chipped in six points, five blocks, five rebounds, and four assists for the New York Knicks in the win, 97-89, over the Boston Celtics in Cox Pavilion. Polish center Olek Balcerowski logged 11 points, six rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist for the losing side.
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