2016 Summer League Suns: By the Numbers
Jul 18, 2016, 10:28 AM
Phoenix Suns' Tyler Ulis (8) reacts after making a shot at the buzzer shot to defeat the Denver Nuggets 82-81 in overtime an NBA summer league basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
(Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
The Phoenix Suns finished the NBA Summer League with a loss to the Timberwolves, but the performance of their young prospects serves as a greater takeaway.
After selecting Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis in the draft, the Suns went to Vegas with a group that also boasted 2015 rookie standout Devin Booker. Their production, along with that of lesser-known players, helped lead the Suns to the semifinals and the Summer League’s fourth-best record at 4-2.
Here’s the 2016 Summer League Suns, by the numbers:
1
Alan Williams, whom the Suns signed midway through last season while he was playing in China, ranks first in the Summer League in rebounds per game at 11.2 in six games. In college at UC Santa Barbara, Williams was his school’s all-time leading rebounder.
52
Devin Booker’s 52 points in two games gave him the league’s second-highest PPG average at 26, behind only Utah’s Trey Lyles (29).
6
While Williams led in rebounds, Marquese Chriss just missed the top five in rebounds per game, finishing sixth in the Summer League with 9.
4-2
The Suns’ record was just one win shy of their 5-2 mark last season. In 2015, the Suns lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the championship game.
5
Five players averaged greater than 10 points per game for the Suns: Booker (26), Chriss (10), Ulis (14.5), Alan Williams (11.8) and Troy Williams (12.3).
8.6
After playing only 12.9 minutes per game for Maccabi Tel Aviv last year, first-round pick Dragan Bender averaged 32 minutes per contest in Vegas. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 8.6 points in the Summer League.
2
Ulis and Alan Williams were the only two players to start all six of the Suns’ games. Ulis’ 87 total points were the most on the Suns, while Williams’ 71 were good for third place on the team.
