NBA Summer League 2021: 5 Breakout players to watch out for

Detroit Pistons signed Cade Cunningham with the No.1 pick
Detroit Pistons signed Cade Cunningham with the No.1 pick

#3 Jalen Green

Jalen Green was chosen second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft
Jalen Green was chosen second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft

Drafted second overall by the Houston Rockets after his performances in the G-League last season, Jalen Green will be excited to earn his way into the Rockets' group of young stars already in the starting lineup.

A consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school, Green chose to forgo college and opted to sign for the G-League elite. With the developmental team affiliated with the competition, the 19-year-old averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

He comes into the league with similarities to Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine. Green is extremely athletic and attacks the rim with aggression. He has improved his outside shooting, scoring 37% of 5.6 attempts per game last year, and is a reliable free-throw scorer.

With the Rockets at the NBA Summer League, he is expected to take a lot of shots and provide a spark to the team's offense.


#4 Omer Yurtseven

Omer Yurtseven playing in NBA G-League. Picture credits: www.thunderousintentions.com
Omer Yurtseven playing in NBA G-League. Picture credits: www.thunderousintentions.com

Miami Heat's unrestricted free agent, Omer Yurtseven, has already reportedly received the attention of several teams after his performances in the California Classic Summer League. The 7-foot center dominated the Lakers with 27 points and 19 rebounds and followed up that showing with another 25 points and eight rebounds to go with three blocks against the Golden State Warriors.

The Heat did not exercise the option on Yurtseven's contract last week but remain interested in the high-scoring big man. So too are other sides who perhaps slept on his 15 points and 9.4 rebounds in the G-League last season.

With plenty of experience already with the Heat organization and from his time playing in the G-League, we can expect Yurtseven to have a successful tournament at the NBA Summer League. He could help put Miami into contention for the trophy.


#5 Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes was an elite defender while in Florida State
Scottie Barnes was an elite defender while in Florida State

One lottery pick who will garner serious attention from his team's fanbase is Scottie Barnes. Many NBA analysts were surprised at the Toronto Raptors' decision to draft Barnes fourth overall rather than go for Jalen Suggs, who could slot into their backcourt. However, Barnes is an athletic all-rounder with immense upside that the Raptors will be hoping to tap into in the upcoming campaign.

Barnes excelled in all facets of the game while with Florida State and averaged 10 points, four assists and four rebounds last year. The most promising aspect of his play, however, is his defense. The 20-year-old has already shown signs of being an NBA-level defender who can face up to guards and forwards alike with his 7'2" wingspan.

He plays an aggressive style of defense which will fit perfectly into the Raptors' style of play.

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