The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Houston Rockets 99-78 to be crowned champions of the 2023 NBA Summer League. This preseason league, with athletes with less than three years of professional experience, has served as exposure and vindication for some of the stars draft and others looking for their space in the American league that starts on October 17.
The spotlights of this Summer League were focused on Victor Wembanyama, on whom the hopes of becoming an NBA star are focused. The Frenchman made his debut with the San Antonio Spurs on July 7 against the Charlotte Hornets but after two games the prodigy announced that he would no longer play in this summer league.
After that announcement, expectations in the Summer League dropped, and the public decreased their attendance at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox pavilions in Las Vegas, where this league was played. Of course, the absence of Wembanyama allowed other athletes to shine with their own light in the remainder of this competition.
Isaiah Mobley, of the Cavs, was the MVP of the decisive game for the title, after scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The young man was selected in the 49th position of the 2022 NBA draft, and in the previous season he rotated between the first team and the Cleveland Charge of the G League, the branch league. Now, with his performance in this Summer League, he raises his hand to consolidate himself in the Cavaliers.
This is also how Sam Merrill, Mobley’s teammate, raises his voice with his 27 points in the final. The Salt Lake City native went on point by year of age, because he is already 27 years old. He was selected in the 2020 draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, although he was transferred to the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he won the NBA in 2021. Of course, his participation was more than discreet.
For the following season he was hired by the Memphis Grizzlies, who fired him after only six games. And in August 2022 he signed with the Sacramento Kings, who also fired him even before the start of the league. Thus, Merill entered the G League draft, where he was chosen number 1 by the Cleveland Charge.
In March of this year, he signed with the Cavaliers. With only 41 games played in 4 NBA seasons, and approaching his thirties, Merill is looking to gain a place on the Cavs’ roster after his outstanding participation in this Summer League.
Another curious case is that of Cam Whitemore, chosen MVP of this Summer League. The Rockets player was the surprise of this year’s draft, but not in a positive way. He was expected to be picked at number 4 and eventually dropped to 20.
“I’ve been overlooked so many times in my life, I’m just happy to be in the NBA,” the post-draft forward told The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. Now, with his MVP under his belt, Whitemore hopes he’s done enough to claim himself on the Rockets’ roster.
