10 best NBA Summer League players of all time

7. Kevin Love, 2008 Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love did not win Summer League MVP in 2008, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a dominant force out there. His average of 13.5 rebounds over four games is the third most in Summer League history and the most total when you remove guys who played only one game.

He only averaged 18 points, which is still really good, but it’s his rebounding that gets him on the list. He snagged 15 or more rebounds in half of his games. The rest of his numbers are not that impressive, but he passed the eye test. He entered the NBA at 255 pounds and 6-foot-8, and in Summer League play he looked like your friend’s dad playing hoops in the backyard when you were 10. He wouldn’t score much — that wouldn’t be fun — but he grabbed every single loose ball and knocked you around if you got too close. Love made all the competition look like children, and that’s enough to make the list.