Keyonte George scores 12 of his 31 points in the final 5 minutes to seal Utah’s comeback victory.
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The California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer Leagues wrapped up Wednesday night with two games at each site. Here’s a look at the players who shined brightest before the spotlight shifts to Las Vegas:
Keyonte George, Utah
It was a big night for the sophomores in the Jazz’s 93-85 victory over the 76ers in Salt Lake City. Brice Sensabaugh (17 points), Taylor Hendricks (18 points) and Walker Kessler (15 rebounds) had their moments, but it was 2023 first-round pick Keyonte George who took over the game in the second half. George posted his second straight game with 30+ points on 9-for-15 shooting with five assists. He also went 11-for-12 from the line. With the game in doubt, George scored 12 points in the final five minutes and capped his 31-point night with an alley-oop finish to seal the victory.
Keyonte George's lob throwdown puts the ‼️ on the Jazz Salt Lake City Summer League win 😤
31 PTS, 5 AST for the 2023 No. 16 pick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7aMEazrgqM
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2024
Keshad Johnson, Miami
The Heat may have found another diamond in the rough. Keshad Johnson, an undrafted free agent from Arizona, continues to impress with his high motor and lockdown defense at the California Classic. Johnson did a little bit of everything in the Heat’s 80-76 victory over the Lakers, finishing with 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting with nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in 30 minutes. Johnson couldn’t hide his enthusiasm after the game: “The Miami Heat they bet on me and I feel like I’m a Heat Culture guy.”
Keon Ellis, Sacramento
Considered a rotational piece with big defensive upside, Keon Ellis showed he can score in bunches in the Kings’ 91-90 loss to the Warriors. Ellis looked dynamic in transition and scored 30 points on 12-for-21 shooting, including 4-for-9 from 3-point range. Ellis would have been an even bigger story had he not missed the desperation 3-pointer that would have won the game.
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City
Putting pressure on the rim and creating driving angles with pace and footwork, 2024 second-round pick Ajay Mitchell looked polished on the final night in Salt Lake City. The former UC Santa Barbara star scored 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting with five rebounds in 21 minutes, leading the Thunder to an 80-77 victory over the Grizzlies.
Colin Castleton, Los Angeles
While 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht had his best game yet in Summer League action (20 points, nine rebounds), it was big man Colin Castleton who stuffed the stat sheet in the Lakers’ 80-76 loss to the Heat. Castleton, who appeared in 16 games for the Lakers last season, finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in the Lakers’ final tuneup before heading to Las Vegas.
