Best of NBA Summer League, Wildcat Edition

Two weeks into the NBA Summer League and there have been some amazing plays by former Wildcats – time to highlight them!

Dadada, Dadada! Arizona Wildcats players have provided many ESPN Top 10 plays while in college and have continued to do the same in the NBA Summer League! From dunks to assists, three-pointers, and leading their respective teams in scoring, former Wildcats are producing!

Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons, Kadeem Allen, Brandon Ashley, Gabe York, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have displayed highlight worthy athleticism out on the court during this first couple of weeks in July.

Let’s review each of them (in alphabetical order by last name).

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Kadeem Allen

One of the excellent stories so far in the NBA Summer League has to be Kadeem Allen. He was drafted out of the second round and is proving to the Celtics organization that he was a good choice.

Allen has played in five games, has a total of 68 minutes played, 11 total rebound, four steals, and six assists. He has only scored eight points, but it’s all the other intangibles that Allen brings to the game as displayed in this highlight against the Portland Trailblazers.

All the focus for the Celtics has been on Jayson Tatum, but that has not stopped Allen from showing why he deserves a spot on the Celtics roster.

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Brandon Ashley

What a journey Brandon Ashley has been on! From being on several NBA Summer League teams to playing in the Developmental League and overseas in Germany, Ashley knows what it takes to get to the next level.

Ashley had a remarkable game against the Chicago Bulls and fellow Wildcat Markkanen! He led the team in scoring with 21 points (in 20 minutes) and two rebounds.

Ashley has even made quite the impression on Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban:

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy! Rondae Hollis-Jefferson aka “Mr. Shimmy” has been hard at work during the NBA Summer League. In this highlight, his awareness on the defensive end led to a steal and a thread-the-needle pass to his teammate down the floor for the easy bucket.

Jefferson averaged 28 minutes, eight points and ten rebounds per game last season for the Brooklyn Nets. He even started in 50 games. Those are some pretty decent numbers for the 6 foot 7, 214lb strong forward from Chester, PA.

How can you not love this guy!

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Lauri Markkanen

The current state is whether or not you have a big man that can shoot the three-pointers and Markkanen surely can! As you can see from the video, his release point is high (similar to Dirk Nowitzki) and is smooth like butter!

In his first game for the Chicago Bulls, he put on quite the shooting show. He finished with 14 points, 2-5 from the 3pt range, eight rebounds and two assists.

Markkanen has one of the purest looking shots in the game and is going to be an IMMEDIATE impact player for the Bulls.

Kobi Simmons

For someone who didn’t get drafted, Kobi Simmons is proving to a lot of teams that they missed out. Simmons did not get the opportunity to play the point guard at Arizona, but now he dishes out some sweet looking assists in the NBA.

In this highlight, Simmons shows off his creativity on a fast break. He makes it look so easy by the way he dishes the ball behind his back.

The Memphis Grizzlies have a real hidden gem in Simmons.

Gabe York

From way downtown! Gabe York showing his long range shooting touch in this buzzer beater highlight. Known for his 3point touch in college and on the professional level, York continues to display that natural outside touch.

York scored eight points including two three-pointers, and two made free-throws against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

At the end of the last year, York went off! He set an NBA Development League (now called the G-League) record with10, three-pointers for the Erie Bayhawks:

With shooting like that, why wouldn’t you sign this guy to a NBA contract. Cmon now!

Must Read: More on Cats in the Pros

It’s only July, and there is already so much to be excited about as an Arizona Wildcat fan. Don’t go anywhere or you might miss another exciting highlight. BEAR DOWN!