Standout performances from NBA Summer League Day 1

SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 2: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat boxes out the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 California Classic on July 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The NBA Summer League has officially began, and there have already been amazing plays and performances from these young rookies.

The 2018 NBA Summer League is finally here, and considering DeMarcus Cousins is now on the Warriors, it may be the most exciting thing in the NBA. Day 1 of the Summer League was filled with magnificent performances throughout all the rookies.

There were tons of great performances throughout Day 1, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Big Ten Freshmen and Player of the year last year at Michigan State University, definitely had the most eye-opening in terms of stats and plays. Jackson was drafted last month by the Memphis Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick. Jackson Jr. put up 29 points along with three rebounds and eight, yes, eight 3-pointers, one of which was from half-court at the buzzer.

The Sacramento Kings’ new rookie, Marvin Bagley III, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, opened eyes with 18 points, six rebounds along with three impressive blocks. Bagley III is going to be a solid player based on what we saw from his performance in his Summer League debut. The highlight of the day for him was the crazy slam over Mortiz Wagner.

With LeBron James now on the Los Angeles Lakers, he definitely will need some supporting cast with shooting, and Josh Hart looks like he will have that covered. Hart put up four 3-pointers in the contest with 23 points in total. He is entering his second year in the NBA and will be a key contributor to help LeBron and the Lakers be successful in the shooting category. Although, the point-guard position didn’t quite do it in Day 1, as he committed five turnovers on four assists.

Derrick Jones Jr. had a very impressive Summer League debut after signing his contract with the Miami Heat on Sunday. Jones Jr. put up 24 points with 11 boards. The Heat may have lost this game to the Warriors, 79-68, but the rookie’s performance has got to make Heat fans excited for the future; they’re in good hands.

The NBA is bright with all this rookie talent currently in the league.

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It may only be the Summer League, but the looks of the future for the NBA is looking amazing with this talent in the league right now. It is going to be amazing to see how these rookies are going to do throughout their careers in the league, and we are all excited.

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