AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick for the Washington Wizards, only played two Summer League games, but man, did he make his presence felt. The kid piled up an insane 50 points in those two outings, earning himself a well-deserved ‘A’ grade. The biggest storyline was the opening night matchup between Dybantsa and No. 2 pick, Darryn Peterson. It was the first time those two had faced off since Kansas played BYU earlier this year, and the game totally lived up to the hype, with both rookies putting on a show and highlighting why they were considered the top of this loaded draft class.
The Top Pick Shut Down Early, But Not Before Dropping a Monster 50
Let’s be real, shutting Dybantsa down after just two games was the smartest move for the Wizards. Why risk anything when he’d already shown enough to convince everyone he’s the real deal? The dude was a highlight machine, doing an exceptional job of drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line. He attempted a whopping 14 shots from the charity stripe, and that ability to consistently put pressure on the rim and draw fouls is gonna be a massive strength for him in the NBA. Wizards fans should be seriously pumped by what they saw from their top pick. This kid is absolutely legit, and his quick 50-point demonstration left an undeniable mark.
These Other Rookies Also Blew Up and Demand Your Attention
But Dybantsa wasn’t the only rookie absolutely torching the competition. Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick for the Utah Jazz, also proved he’s built different. Instead of shutting it down, Peterson unexpectedly played in Utah’s fourth game in Vegas. You gotta respect that commitment! His stints in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas reinforced just how good a prospect he was coming out of Kansas, even with an up-and-down college season. Sure, he’ll need to clean up the turnovers and fouls when the season kicks off, but playing in a structured system surrounded by veterans will definitely help him settle in. Peterson also flashed two things in Summer League that weren’t as visible in college: his ability to put pressure on the rim and distribute the ball.
And we can’t forget about the other standout performances. Bulls forward Caleb Wilson kicked off Summer League with a ridiculous 35-point outburst, knocking down seven 3-pointers. He matched his entire college career total for threes in just one game! Then there’s Bucks guard Brayden Burries, who put in three standout performances, making a strong case for the All-Summer League team. In his third appearance, Burries dropped 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists, all while shooting an efficient 8-of-15 from the floor.
Summer League is almost in the books, but these rookies just gave us a serious preview of what’s to come. Dybantsa, Peterson, Wilson, Burries… these names are gonna be ringing through arenas for years. The future is bright for these teams, and man, can we fast-forward to the regular season already?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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