The 2023 NBA Summer League is in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the association.
The Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects looking to get some playing time with Los Angeles and those fighting for an NBA spot.
L.J. Figueroa, a 6-foot-6 wing who went undrafted out of the University of Oregon in 2021, was on the Lakers’ summer league roster this month after a couple of stints in the G League, one of which came with the South Bay Lakers.
Figueroa could be a viable prospect moving forward
Figueroa showed potential in three years of college basketball as a scorer, 3-point shooter and supplemental rebounder. In his final year in the NCAA, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds a game while shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc.
This past season while in the G League, he shot a very strong 43.3% from downtown.
Figueroa sat out the second and final game of the California Classic in Sacramento, but in the first game, he was in L.A.’s starting lineup and had a solid 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
He only appeared in the final two of the five games played in Las Vegas. When he played, however, he looked good.
Figueroa put up 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he then went for 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the finale versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the game against the Grizzlies, he provided a monstrous highlight when he elevated for a tip dunk over a defender off a miss by Cole Swider.
LJ FIGUEROA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Y1h8M9AKeE
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 15, 2023
If Figueroa works hard on his craft, perhaps he will find a place in the association due to his 3-point shooting potential and decent rebounding ability.
Final Grade: C-plus/B-minus
