Scotty Pippen Jr., Reed Sheppard, Kel'el Ware Headline NBA Summer League 1st Team
July 22, 2024
The NBA officially unveiled the 2024 NBA Summer League First Team on Monday.
The Memphis Grizzlies were the only squad with two players on the team, with Scotty Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson II both earning spots. The only two 2024 first-round picks to secure First Team nods were Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware.
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was named Summer League MVP on Monday, although he was only able to make the Second Team.
NBA Communications @NBAPRThe NBA 2K25 All-Summer League Second Team:<br><br>Bub Carrington, <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashWizards</a> <br>Donovan Clingan, <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a> <br>Jaime Jaquez Jr., <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiamiHEAT</a> <br>Jarace Walker, <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pacers</a> <br>Jalen Wilson, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrooklynNets</a> <a href="https://t.co/qzBQyCoKBo">pic.twitter.com/qzBQyCoKBo</a>
After averaging 12.9 points per game in 21 contests with Memphis during the 2023-24 regular season, Pippen excelled in Las Vegas and helped the Grizzlies earn a spot in the championship game.
In five appearances, the 23-year-old averaged 20.0 points and 8.2 assists per game on 49.2/41.2/87.9 shooting splits. Pippen recorded the sixth triple-double in Summer League history on Sunday, sending the Grizzlies to the title game.
Memphis will be facing off against Miami for the championship, as Ware has become one of the early standouts in the 2024 draft class. The No. 15 pick has shined with the Heat, averaging 17.4 points and 8.0 rebounds to go along with 1.6 blocks per game.
While top picks such as Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher went through some growing pains in Las Vegas, that wasn't the case for Sheppard. The No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 draft couldn't find his consistency from behind the arc, although he showcased his all-around game instead.
Sheppard averaged 20.0 points per game on 50.0 percent shooting during his four appearances, adding 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists each night. He also held his own on the defensive end of the floor, racking up 2.8 steals per game.
Pippen and Ware will face off for the Las Vegas Summer League title on Monday night, with tip-off at 8 p.m. ET.