By: Ben McCormick
July 19, 2022
Over the course of the two weeks, nine former Blue Devils have competed in the NBA Summer League. Headlined by number one overall pick, Paolo Banchero, four of Duke’s five man rookie class made their pro debuts. Banchero with the Magic, Mark Williams (Hornets), Wendell Moore Jr (Timberwolves), and Trevor Keels (Knicks). AJ Griffin was set to play, but an injury caused him to sit out the entirety of play. After going undrafted, graduate transfer Theo John signed with Minnesota’s summer league team. However, John sustained an injury prior to the start of play causing him to miss Summer League.
After a season in the G-League with the Memphis Hustle, former 2021 first team All-ACC player Matthew Hurt suited up for the Bucks in the summer league. Hurt averaged 12.1 PPG and 5.1 RPG in his rookie season with the Hustle. His former Blue Devil teammate DJ Steward took a similar path after going undrafted in 2021. Steward spent his rookie season in Stockton with the Kings' G-League affiliate. Steward's 14.6 PPG, 4 RPG, and 4 APG earned him a spot on the Kings' summer league roster.
Appearing in just seven games in the 2021-2022 NBA season, Vernon Carey Jr. played for the Wizards summer league team (Carey was traded by Charlotte to Washington midseason in 2022). Duke graduate Javin DeLaurier found a spot on with the Spurs in the summer league. DeLaurier made his NBA debut on a 10-day contract for the Bucks in 2021-2022 in which he appeared in one game for the then defending champs. Javin's roommate and teammate from Duke Jack White made his way back to the states to suit up for Denver too. White spent the last two seasons playing in his native country of Australia in the NBL where he suffered a torn ACL in his rookie season.
The experiences of all nine players varied greatly, but why not start with the man who heard his name called first in the 2022 NBA Draft:
Paolo Banchero
Paolo immediately impressed in Las Vegas. The rookie's powerful NBA ready frame and athleticism quickly confirmed what many had been saying throughout his time at Duke: Banchero is NBA ready and will contribute from day one. His debut came against the Houston Rockets and long time presumed number one pick (who went 3rd) Jabari Smith Jr.
Paolo was good for 17 points and six assists in his debut, and 23 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals in his second game vs. Sacramento and eventual Summer League MVP Keegan Murray. A matchup between the top two picks was slated for the Magic's game against OKC and Chet Holmgren, but Banchero was shut down. The Magic had seen enough. It was clear that Paolo was NBA ready and there was no reason to risk injury. While we may have been cheated out of Paolo vs. Chet in the summer league, Duke fans still remember the masterful performance Paolo put up against Holmgren last November. Following his shortened summer league debut, Paolo is the betting favorite to win the 2022-2023 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Stats: 20.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 40.7 FG%, 50.0 3PT%, 80.0 FT%, 5.0 TOV, 30.1 MPG
Vernon Carey Jr.
Vernon Carey saw a disappointing amount of floor time during his first two seasons in the NBA. The Hornets unwillingness to play Carey led to his inclusion in a midseason trade sending him to Washington. There, the former All-American and National Freshman of the Year did not find anymore luck getting off the bench.
Nevertheless, the Summer League provides players with the opportunity to show improvement and hopefully move up in the rotation. Vernon had some solid performances in Vegas that will hopefully lend a hand toward his integration into the Wizards rotation. His best game came with a 15 point and 11 rebound double-double. Carey added 2 blocks that game and had multiple double figures scoring games. Carey now enters his third season in the NBA where he is due a breakout performance that will hopefully lead to a second contract.
Stats: 11.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.3 SPG, 57.1 FG%, 90.0 3PT%, 1.3 TOV, 18.0 MPG
Javin DeLaurier
Javin's NBA debut was short lived, but DeLaurier's effort and above the rim play with the defending champs caught the attention of NBA personnel not only in Milwaukee, but across the league. DeLaurier averaged 6.7 PPG and 5.6 RPG last season with the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League when he was not playing for the Bucks. His role with the Spurs in Las Vegas was limited, yet impactful. DeLaurier looks to seize another opportunity like last season when he found himself on an NBA roster.
Stats: 2.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.3 SPG, 80.0 FG%, 1.7 TOV, 13.3 MPG
Matthew Hurt
Like DeLaurier, Matthew Hurt's role in the summer league was limited. Both players logged multiple DNP coaches decisions. When he did see the floor, his shot was pure as he shot 43% from beyond the arc. Duke fans know how well Hurt can shoot the ball, however, the defensive concerns that surrounded Hurt in Durham persist and have caused NBA teams to look past him.
Stats: 4.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.3 BPG, 0.3 SPG, 55.6 FG%, 42.9 3PT%, 0.3 TOV, 10.1 MPG
Trevor Keels
Trevor Keels' decision to remain in the NBA Draft was a hot topic issue in college basketball (especially among Duke fans) this spring. Keels took until the last possible day to officially keep his name in the draft. He decided not to heed the warnings of NBA scouts who said he would assuredly not be a first round pick this season and that he may find himself in the NBA G-League as a rookie. It appeared that Keels' draft stock would improve to a potential lottery selection if he had opted to return for his sophomore season. But Keels, still just 18 years old, decided he was ready for the jump and the next phase of his life. Being a second round pick comes with a looming cloud of uncertainty. In 2020, three former Blue Devils were selected in the second round. Two of them received multiple year guaranteed contracts (Vernon Carey Jr and Tre Jones) while the other only signed a two way contract and has not yet signed a full guaranteed deal in his career Cassius Stanley. Keels was selected 42nd overall by the Knicks, just one pick below where Tre Jones was selected in 2020. Jones received a three year rookie deal, but Keels was not as lucky. The Knicks signed Trevor to a two-way contract. Uncertainty comes as a gift to all second round picks.
After this year's summer league, debates over Keels' decision resurfaced due to his struggles. Keels shot below 26% from the floor and just 20% from three. He only had one game scoring in double figures, and despite his woes the Knicks made it to the summer league championship game, where Keels (a starter) only scored three points. Adjusting to the NBA is a difficult task and I'm sure time in Worchester with the Knicks G-League affiliate will help Trevor improve as a player and hopefully crack the Knicks rotation in the future. As hopefully as I still am for Trevor, it was not fun seeing him struggle to begin his pro career.
Stats: 5.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.0 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 25.6 FG%, 20.0 3PT%, 60.0 FT%, 2.2 TOV, 25.9 MPG
Wendell Moore Jr.
Wendell Moore Jr played his way into a first round selection during his junior year by being a facilitator, scorer, defender, and shooter at a high level. While he did struggle at times in his pro debut in Las Vegas (efficiency wise), he largely utilized all those same tools that made him successful at Duke to be effective with the Timberwolves.
Moore's most impressive game was reminiscent of a typical junior year Wendell line with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Another refreshing sight was the manner in which Minnesota used Wendell. Much like at Duke, he found himself running the offense much of the time. Even if he is not a true point guard, Wendell Moore is more than capable at running an offense at the highest level.
Stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 35.2 FG%, 25.0% 3PT%, 94.1 FT%, 2.6 TOV, 26.9 MPG
DJ Steward
DJ was the only Blue Devil to play in both the California and Las Vegas summer leagues, and his role varied quite a lot. At one point, Steward was in a rotational role off the bench. In another game he was starting, and in others he collected a DNP. His experience this year was a true testimony to the unpredictability of summer league rotations. Since signing with the Kings for summer league last season, DJ has spent his entire pro career within the King’s organization. From Stockton back to Las Vegas DJ continues to play for the Kings. Their loyalty to him as a player suggests that they see something in the still extremely young Steward who is showing glimpses of real promise. Hopefully he will find his way on to an NBA roster soon. For many uI drafted players like, Seth Curry, Quinn Cook, and the next guy in this article it was a multiple year process. I trust the process and I believe in DJ Steward’s talent and hard work.
Jack White
For some, their big break comes multiple years after they go pro, and for Jack White that big break has come. After spending his first two seasons in Australia's NBL and dealing with a major injury in his rookie season, Jack White made his summer league debut with Denver after recently representing Australia in the FIBA Asia cup. White has honed in on his skills: hustling, hard nosed defense, and rebounding. All in all, Jack White is the guy that does the dirty work and he does it well. Jack was the glue guy and high level rebounder all while scoring in double figures on occasion on scorching hot shooting splits (just under 70% from the floor and exactly 50% from three). His elevated play in Las Vegas coupled with his play in the NBL and international play earned high acclaim for White within the Nuggets organization. That hard work paid off this week when Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Nuggets were signing Jack to a two-way contract, officially making him an NBA player. From being a three star prospect, Jack White has persevered and put in the necessary work to make it into the league.
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 69.6 FG%, 50.0 3PT%, 62.5 FT%, 1.2 TOV, 17.1 MPG
Mark Williams
Mark Williams found himself coming off the bench to start summer league play for Charlotte, a curious place for anybody selected 15th in the NBA Draft to be. Yet Williams found ways to be impactful before ever receiving the starting spot. Much like at Duke, Mark found ways to alter countless shots and cement himself as a defensive anchor. His numbers were not flashy, but anyone who watched him play in Vegas can see why his defensive prowess, rim running ability, and lob threat make him the ideal center to place alongside a player like LaMelo Ball.
Stats: 6.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 44.1 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 1.4 TOV, 19.4 MPG
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