The NBA Summer League is an off-season basketball competition that allows NBA teams to try out their recent draft picks, rookies, two-year-olds, and players affiliated with the G League.
Dereon Seabron, Keyontae Johnson and David McCormack built on that experience this summer.
Seabron, a Lake Taylor High graduate, showed signs he could be an impact player for the New Orleans Pelicans with his play this summer.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Seabron signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans while splitting time with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League.
He averaged 18.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game with the Squad. He also played in five games with the Pelicans, averaging 2.4 minutes.
The 23-year-old Seabron had some standout performances for the Pelicans’ summer league team as he averaged 17.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
He was able to show the Pelicans his ability to get to the basket and his intensity on defense.
“I just feel that way with my speed and athleticism… I feel like that will open up more things for my teammates, so I’m just looking to make the right plays,” Seabron told reporters.
He said the experience this summer will be beneficial as he tries to make it to the NBA.
“I feel like anytime you get replays, especially live game replays, it’s good for your game and for you to get better,” Seabron said, who had 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists against Golden State.
Johnson, who attended Norview High in Norfolk, he was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 50th pick in the second round. He signed a two-way contract with the Thunder, which means he will split his time next season between the Thunder and OKC Blue in the G League.
His summer got off to a slow start due to a hamstring injury when the team was in Salt Lake City, but he returned in the Las Vegas Summer League and averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in five games.
He told the media that he wanted to work on defense and rebounding this summer.
“A lot of people have seen me score at K-State, so I just try to show the other sides of my game,” he said. “I can play without the ball in my hands.”
johnson, who helped lead Kansas State to the Elite Eight last seasonhe was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and was named an Associated Press Third-Team All-American.
McCormack, who attended Norfolk Academy, played with the Toronto Raptors this summer. In two games he had seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
McCormack, who helped lead Kansas to the NCAA title in 2022, spent last season in Turkey with Beşiktaş Emlakjet. He averaged 9.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com. Twitter @LHRubama
