'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2021 NBA Summer League has been a platform used in the best way possible by this year's draft prospects to show what they are capable of doing in the NBA.
While the top picks and the majority of first-rounders are always expected to do well, this time around, second-round picks have also risen to the occasion. They have been crucial to their team's hopes of winning as many games as possible.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five most promising second-round prospects from the July draft, who have been highly impressive in the 2021 NBA Summer League so far.
Listing the five second-round picks who have impressed the most in the 2021 NBA Summer League
#5 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - OKC Thunder
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was selected #32 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He was officially traded to the OKC Thunder in exchange for the #34 and #36 pick. The move seems to have paid off for the Thunder, especially after Robinson-Earl's terrific showings for the team in the 2021 NBA Summer League.
He is averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and a block per contest across four games so far. He is their second-highest scorer in the Summer League. Robinson-Earl has been efficient on both ends of the floor. He has shot the ball at 48.6% from the field and a respectable 37.5% from the three-point line on four attempts per game.
#4 Aaron Wiggins - OKC Thunder
Aaron Wiggins was selected #55 overall by the OKC Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft. The team's most highlighted stars heading into the 2021 NBA Summer league were Josh Giddey, Tre Mann and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Wiggins made sure he didn't fall way behind the pecking order with his solid performances for the team in Las Vegas. He is averaging a team-high 11.5 points per game to go with five rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. Despite being such a late pick in the draft, he has been one of the standout performers in this year's Summer League campaign.
With Josh Giddey out injured and Tre Mann out for personal reasons, Wiggins stepping up was exactly what the OKC Thunder needed during the 2021 NBA Summer League.
#3 Luka Garza - Detroit Pistons
Next on the list is center Luka Garza of the Detroit Pistons. Garza was selected #52 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Pistons struggled in their opening two games, but after giving Garza more minutes lately, they have managed to overturn their poor run of form. He has averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest in just 19 minutes of playing time per game so far.
Garza scored 20 points and 14 rebounds in his most recent game against the LA Lakers. His performance was key for the team, who were without their guards Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes. Garza is quite efficient with his shooting as well and has shot 52.9% from the field and, including 42.9% from the three-point line.
#2 Miles McBride - New York Knicks
Miles McBride was selected #36 overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for the #32 pick, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Both teams will be happy with the trade after their latest recruits flourished for them during the 2021 NBA Summer League.
McBride has emerged as a high-caliber guard for the New York Knicks with his recent showings. He is averaging 14.4 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. McBride has started four of the five games off the bench for the Knicks. He is a terrific shooter, converting 50% of his shots from the field and 46.4% from the three-point line on 5.6 attempts.
McBride was sensational in his recent outing against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored 23 points, shooting 9 of 14 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from deep.
#1 Sharife Cooper - Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks went a long way in the 2020-21 NBA season on the back of their youthful squad led by Trae Young. They will be happy to have another upcoming young guard in 20-year old Sharife Cooper, who has taken the 2021 NBA Summer League by storm with his stellar showings.
Cooper was selected #48 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 NBA Draft. He is averaging 17.6 points and nine assists per contest across three games. He is shooting 51.2% from the field on 14.3 attempts per game. His assists tally is the highest among all players in the 2021 NBA Summer League so far.
Guess the Lakers players!
