Aussies shine as NBA Summer League drawing to a close

The 2023 NBA Summer League is heating up heading into the final week of play in Las Vegas.

With the NBA pre-season tournament wrapping up on Monday June 17, there are 32 games remaining as the current and former National Basketball League contingent showcase their talent.

On day five of the tournament, former Sydney King Xavier Cooks made the highlight reel with another big performance on Wednesday, Australian time.

His Washington Wizards clashed with the San Antonio Spurs, with the reigning NBL MVP finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

His Wizards went down to the Spurs 96-85 despite his contribution, but it gave fans a glimpse of what the Victorian product brings as he heads into his second season with the team.

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He has now averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two appearances at the tournament.

Cooks’ partner in crime for the 2022-23 NBL Championship winning Kings team, Dejan Vasiljevic also saw his first minutes in the Summer League in the Wizards v Spurs game.

Linking back up with Cooks on the Washington Wizards squad, Vasiljevic finished with three points (one triple) in four minutes on the court.

Another Sydney King to hit the court in the Summer League on day four in his first appearance was Jaylin Galloway.

In just five minutes on the court, Galloway recorded two points, one assist and one block in the Timberwolves’ 108-96 loss to Utah.

Former Australian Boomer national player Duop Reath balled out for the Portland Trail Blazers, with 12 points and nine rebounds, to go along with a strong showing of two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Reath played 23 minutes in the Blazers’ win over Charlotte, lining up alongside former Next Star Rayan Rupert, who saw eight minutes of play.

Young Australian national team player Dyson Daniels continued his strong form with 10 points, three rebounds, eight assists and three blocks.

The Pelicans enjoyed a nine-point win over the Charlotte Hornets, with Daniels playing 30 minutes.

Friday’s games will be highlighted by more Australian talent with former Perth Wildcat Luke Travers (Cleveland Cavaliers), new Sydney Kings recruit DJ Hogg (Toronto Raptors), big-man Duop Reath (Portland Trail Blazers) and Jaylin Galloway (Minnesota Timberwolves) all set to play.

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