In Monday’s championship, the Rockets and summer-league head coach Ben Sullivan fell one game short of accomplishing their goal of winning the NBA’s 2023 summer league. With a 99-78 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston finished with a 5-1 record.
Yet, as general manager Rafael Stone and new head coach Ime Udoka watched courtside, they witnessed several positive developments over those two weeks in Las Vegas. Many may help the Rockets become more successful as they enter a self-proclaimed phase two of their rebuilding process, starting with the 2023-24 season.
Rookie point guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) was ruled out of summer-league play after one game, while second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were ruled out after the second. But all three made a big impression on Stone and Udoka during their limited playing time this summer.
Meanwhile, those absences provided opportunities for other players on the summer roster — most notably, rookie forward Cam Whitmore (summer-league MVP) and second-year guard Trevor Hudgins, who remains on a two-way contract with Houston. Both Whitmore and Hudgins made major contributions as the Rockets won three of their final four games, even without three big names.
With summer league officially in the books, here’s a look back at some key statistics and takeaways from six games in Las Vegas.
(Editor’s note: Ben DuBose also contributed to this article.)
Jabari Smith Jr. on a mission
Although he only played in eight quarters of basketball in Las Vegas, Smith used six of those to show the Rockets’ brass, as well as the rest of the NBA world, what he is capable of.
After an unremarkable first half of Houston’s summer opener, the former No. 3 overall selection from the 2022 NBA draft averaged a remarkable 35.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Smith set the tone early for the rest of Houston’s roster to follow by hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in game one versus Portland. It capped off an epic 29-point half by Smith, who earned All-Summer League Second Team honors despite only playing in two games.
It’s important to remember that had Smith not made that shot, Houston would not have qualified for the summer-league playoffs.
Can Houston get an Amen?
Though their prayers for Victor (Wembanyama) went unanswered in the 2023 draft lottery, the Rockets appear to have received a blessing in disguise with guard Amen Thompson, who went at No. 4 in the 2023 NBA draft. Thompson was limited to one summer-league game after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain against the Trail Blazers.
What the point guard out of Overtime Elite showed before that injury is a reason for the Rockets and their fans to be excited. Thompson made a clear impact on both ends of the court with 16 points (46.2% FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks.
Thompson’s versatility and athleticism were on full display in front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas, which could bode well for pressure-packed games in the future. In the short-term, the hope is for that momentum to carry over into the 2023-24 season. Training camp for the Rockets won’t open until nearly three months after that July 7 ankle sprain, so Thompson should be fully rested and recovered.
Supporting actors step up
Houston’s run to the championship game allowed some other players on its roster to get noticed. With Smith, Eason, and Thompson out, Sullivan was able to use players who may have a shot of receiving some regular-season minutes for the Rockets or other NBA teams.
Hudgins, who signed with Houston as an undrafted player in June 2022, had a six-game stretch at point guard where he helped lead the summer league’s top-scoring offense. He also helped space the floor, scoring 14.5 points per game while shooting 38% on 3-pointers.
Hudgins spent most of his time last season with the Rockets’ G League affiliate team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His ability to shoot from long range was a key factor in Houston giving him another two-way contract at the start of 2023 free agency.
Elsewhere, Matthew Mayer — once famous for showcasing a mullet-style haircut while helping lead the Baylor Bears to the 2021 college basketball title — did everything needed to help the Rockets reach Monday’s title game. The 6-foot-9 wing from Austin displayed his shooting and defensive abilities in front of Udoka and Stone.
NBA teams can roster up to 20 players through the offseason as well as training camp and the preseason, and the Rockets are currently nowhere near that limit. Keep in mind, Houston offloaded a handful of young players (Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington, Josh Christopher, KJ Martin, and Daishen Nix among them) this offseason as part of its transition to a more veteran-laden roster.
Thus, there could be an opportunity for a summer standout such as Mayer — and perhaps Jermaine Samuels Jr. and/or Nate Hinton, as well — to receive a training camp invite in the coming weeks.
MVP Cam Whitmore
Just from the first few days in Las Vegas, it became clear Whitmore is very observant and a quick learner. Smith and Eason set the tone for how the Rockets wanted to compete, and Houston’s 19-year-old forward prospect finished it by being named the 2023 summer-league MVP. Whitmore was also named to the All-Tournament First Team after scoring 19.3 points per game on 44% shooting.
The former Villanova Wildcats player also displayed his elite quickness and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball by averaging 2.5 steals per game, including a summer-league record 8 steals during last Thursday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Across the board, Houston’s summer-league players and coaches gave the organization something to be proud of heading into a two-month break before the start of training camp in early October.
