After covering the rookies and sophomores of the Pacific, Northwest, and Southwest Divisions attending Summer League, next comes the Atlantic Division. Here are the top rookies and sophomores from each of the Atlantic Division teams and what to expect from each of them at Summer League.
Summer League: Top Atlantic Division Rookies And Sophomores
Team: Boston Celtics
Rookie: Baylor Scheierman
Selected by the 2024 NBA champions Boston Celtics with the 30th overall pick, Baylor Scheierman is the rookie to watch on their Summer League roster. Scheierman made a name for himself in college as a talented shot-creator and overall offensive threat. The expectation for Scheierman is to show off his offensive skills and that he can translate that against NBA talent. So far, through two Summer League games, the results have been mixed in terms of pure scoring. However, he showcased his ability to do the little things that contribute to winning. Regardless, with more games around the corner, Scheierman will still have his chances to show off the scoring that he is known for.
Sophomore: Jordan Walsh
Undoubtedly, the sophomore to watch for on the Celtics is Jordan Walsh. Unquestionably, Walsh‘s best skills lie on the defensive end of the floor and they may get him playing time next year. However, the expectation for Walsh is to show that he has improved his overall game, including offensively, and that he is ready to take the next step in his development. On the negative side, any offensive improvements that Walsh had made in the G-League did not materialize in his first two Summer League games this year. Despite that, he will have more opportunities to prove that he is ready to take his game to the next level.
Team: New York Knicks
Rookie: Tyler Kolek
Tyler Kolek is the rookie to watch for on the Knicks Summer League roster. Fans should expect to see a talented playmaker and scorer who does a bunch of little things to win in Kolek. Despite the signing of Cameron Payne, the expectation for Kolek is to show that he is ready for minutes on the main team that needs backup guard play. In his debut, Kolek, despite poor shooting, showed his ability to be an effective playmaker and creator for others. Additionally, he displayed hustle and effort, grabbing seven boards. As long as Kolek continues to put in the same effort in subsequent games, there is a real possibility for early playing time with the Knicks.
Sophomore: Jacob Toppin
As for Knicks sophomores, the one to watch for is the brother of former Knick Obi Toppin, Jacob Toppin. The main expectation for Toppin is to show that he has made improvements to his overall game. Toppin had a productive season in the G-League and the hope is that he shows that off at Summer League. Based on the Knicks’ debut game, Toppin has impressed with the improvements he made. He scored 19 points, hit two threes, and grabbed six boards. With more performances like these, Toppin may see some minutes with the Knicks.
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Rookie: Jared McCain
Picked by the Sixers as the 16th overall pick, Jared McCain is the rookie to watch on the Sixers. The main expectation for McCain is to show off his ability to knock down shots from deep and his rebounding. So far, the shooting that McCain is known for hasn’t come around just yet, but the rebounding has. Standing at just six-foot-three, McCain has impressed with his rebounding ability. With more games to come, McCain will have additional chances to show off his shooting ability.
Sophomore: Ricky Council IV
Ricky Council IV is the sophomore to watch for on the Sixers Summer League roster. Despite going undrafted, Council impressed in limited minutes during his rookie season with the Sixers. The expectation for Council is to show that he is too good for Summer League and is ready to contribute to the main roster. Based on the first two Sixers games, Council has consistently been one of the better performers for the Sixers at Summer League. If he keeps up with these performances, there is a real chance he could get minutes next season.
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Rookie: N/A
Sophomore: Noah Clowney
The sophomore to pay attention to on the Nets Summer League roster is Noah Clowney. The former 21st overall pick played limited minutes with Brooklyn last season but had a good season in the G-League. The main expectation for Clowney is to show off the improvements he made this past season. Clowney has had a solid outing at Summer League so far, generally being efficient with his shooting. If he continues with his performance, more minutes with the Nets will come in the future.
Team: Toronto Raptors
Rookie: Ja’Kobe Walter
The 19th overall pick, Ja’Kobe Walter, is the rookie to watch on the Raptors Summer League team. The expectation for Walter is to showcase his shooting ability and defensive potential. Despite a disappointing season at college from a shooting perspective, Walter still has great potential as a shooter. He has potential on the defensive end of the floor as a 3-and-D wing due to his build. So far, the results at Summer League have been mixed, with Walter shooting poorly in both games he played. However, the second game went better for him as he contributed in other ways other than scoring. Hopefully, Walter continues to trend upward as Summer League progresses.
Sophomore: Gradey Dick
Gradey Dick is the sophomore to watch for on the Raptors Summer League team. Fans should expect from Dick an overall improvement in his game and be a more all-around player. Based on his performances in Summer League so far, the results have been mixed, with a great first outing and a poor second showing. In the first game, Dick played an excellent all-around game with the only blemish being his shooting. In the second game, Dick was a complete non-factor. With more games coming, Dick needs to return to his level of playback in the first game to show that improvements have been made.
