Summer League 2025 wrapped up just a few days ago, providing fantasy managers with fresh insights into which players could be primed for stock jumps or value dips in the upcoming season.
While sifting through the performances, I referred to an excellent statistical deep dive by Owen Phillips on Substack that examined which Summer League metrics actually correlate with regular season success. Phillips found that counting stats (3PA, AST, BLK, etc.) are more likely to translate than shooting percentages, which I took into account when making these selections.
Focusing on players who demonstrated clear shifts in their fantasy outlooks in meaningful samples, these are the top NBA Summer League Risers and Fallers heading into 2025-26.
Quick note: One notable omission from the risers list is Ron Holland of the Detroit Pistons, whose encouraging play was limited to just three games without enough three-point attempts to meaningfully offset his dismal 23.8% rookie shooting from deep. (Statistics as of July 22, 2025)
Top Risers:
Nique Clifford
(SG, Sacramento Kings)
SL stats: 6 GP, 15.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG
4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
49.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 62.5 FT%
A five-year college player, Nique Clifford didn’t garner serious NBA attention until his final season, when he was one of the most productive players in Division I. Clifford finished 2024-25 with the 12th-highest Box Plus-Minus nationwide (10.3), scoring a highly efficient 18.9 PPG while grabbing 9.6 RPG as a 6’5 guard and posting a 26.8% assist rate, among the highest for non-PGs.
He nearly led Colorado State to a Round-of-32 upset over Maryland, but dropped to the 24th pick in the first round of the draft last month primarily due to concerns over his advanced age for a prospect (23) and improved play coming after transferring down in competition level. Clifford quickly put concerns to rest as one of the top performers in Summer League, leading the Kings to the championship game, where they fell to the Hornets.
Across six games, Clifford showcased his stylish, do-it-all approach, finishing 55th in PPG, 40th in RPG, and 28th in APG with impressive efficiency from the field, including 45.8% from deep. Clifford’s pull-up game looked smooth against NBA-level competition, and his ability to score in a variety of ways hints at star-level potential.
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Clifford is already a more versatile wing than 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan and has a great chance to emerge as a starter sooner rather than later if Doug Christie wisely prioritizes youth in what projects to be a non-competitive season for Sacramento.
A quick shoutout here to Clifford’s Summer League teammate, Isaac Jones, another July overachiever, who averaged 18.3 PPG on 64.6 FG%, and could get substantial PF playtime if Keegan Murray has another down season.
Yang Hansen
(C, Portland Trail Blazers)
SL stats: 4 GP, 10.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG
3.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG
45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 87.5 FT%
We ranked Yang Hansen as one of the most underrated dynasty prospects pre-draft, but it was still surprising to see Portland use its 16th overall selection on the projected second-round talent. The 7’1 center put up terrific stats in the CBA last season, but even after an eye-catching combine performance, scouts still questioned his ability to match up with NBA bigs.
Yang quieted his doubters over four Summer League performances, during which he displayed vision and processing speed that has the Blazers’ supporters already making Nikola Jokic comparisons. He averaged 3.8 APG, finished top-five in blocks per game (2.3), and averaged double-digit scoring (10.8 PPG) while demonstrating touch from three (33.3%).
Yang still needs considerable refinement before his skills excel against NBA-level competition. His 3.8 turnovers per game were concerning, and he’ll also face stiff competition for minutes from Portland centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III, but the early signs are great.
Kyle Filipowski
(PF, Utah Jazz)
SL stats: 3 GP, 29.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG
2.3 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG
56.1 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 62.5 FT%
Kyle Filipowski played only three games, but was absolutely dominant in Las Vegas, coming off a strong rookie season. The 32nd overall pick in the 2024 draft posted 29.3 PPG (the highest by 4.0) on 56.1 FG% and 39.1 3P%, taking home MVP of the competition.
Opponents frequently looked overmatched when he had the ball, and his distance shooting was a revelation, as he converted nine makes from deep in just three appearances. Filipowski’s defense still needs serious work, as his rim defense was among the worst for power forwards in 2024-25, but his offensive production appears too elite to leave on the bench.
Fifth overall pick Ace Bailey is going to play considerable minutes at the four, but Filipowski will undoubtedly get his opportunities. Last month, we mentioned how the Jazz began prioritizing his minutes over Walker Kessler’s as the season progressed, and with the departure of starting PF John Collins this offseason, Filipowski has an even clearer path to immediate playtime.
Terrence Shannon Jr
(SG, Minnesota Timberwolves)
SL stats: 3 GP, 22.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG
5.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.0 BPG
47.6 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 94.7 FT%
Terrence Shannon Jr. was a star college player at Illinois before a tumultuous sexual assault case, which ultimately found him not guilty, tanked his draft stock in 2024. Shannon Jr. fell to the Timberwolves at 27th overall and had a quiet but efficient rookie campaign.
With Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining the Hawks in free agency, Shannon Jr. was presented a prime chance to earn rotation minutes in Las Vegas and took full advantage. He was the fifth-leading scorer in the Summer League on terrific shooting splits of 47.6/38.5/94.7, while posting the highest APG (5.0) among the top-16 scorers.
Shannon Jr.’s abilities as a three-level scorer were well-established, but this added playmaking dimension, which was seldom on display in college, could make him not only a solid Alexander-Walker replacement but an ideal fit next to Anthony Edwards. Additionally, his 94.7 FT% may appear as a minor detail, but it indicates a level of discipline that could mean a laser-focused sophomore season is coming.
Despite a high turnover rate, Shannon Jr.’s teammate Rob Dillingham also looked aggressive, comfortable, and smooth in Las Vegas, as he aims to take over the starting PG role from veteran Mike Conley in his second season.
Liam McNeeley
(SG, Charlotte Hornets)
SL stats: 2 GP, 18.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG
4.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.0 BPG
40.7 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 88.9 FT%
Liam McNeeley played just two games at Summer League, but displayed a level of wing versatility that has to have Charlotte excited about him slipping to 29th overall in the draft. The UConn freshman was a projected lottery selection for much of the pre-draft process, but his stock fell due to athleticism concerns and poor shooting efficiency as the season progressed.
McNeeley’s mechanics and range were never in question, but after making just 31.7% of his collegiate three-point attempts, it was encouraging to see him look comfortable converting six shots from range on 42.9% in Las Vegas. He also took 6.5 two-point field goals per game, and despite poor efficiency on those looks, his willingness to attack, on top of his strong rebounding (ninth among all players) and assist rates, gives him intriguing upside beyond being a three-point specialist.
Expectations were higher for McNeeley’s teammate, fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel, but the Duke product also shone in five Summer League games for the champion Hornets and looks ready to produce immediately in his rookie year.
David Jones-Garcia
(SF, San Antonio Spurs)
SL stats: 5 GP, 24.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG
3.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.0 BPG
52.7 FG%, 52.9 3P%, 92.3 FT%
David Jones-Garcia delivered perhaps the most stunning breakout performance of Summer League, earning a First Team selection, scoring 21.6 PPG in five games on a ridiculous true shooting percentage of 67.7%. This included 18 makes from beyond the arc on 52.9%, as the 6’6 wing also demonstrated versatility as a rebounder and facilitator.
Jones-Garcia’s performance was remarkable, particularly in terms of shooting accuracy, but should not have come as a huge shock after he had an outstanding 2023-24 season in Memphis and was one of the top G League players in 2024-25. Primarily playing for the Mexico City Capitanes, Jones-Garcia averaged 24.5 PPG on 48.4 FG%, while grabbing 7.5 RPG and dishing out 3.2 APG.
Despite Jones-Garcia’s phenomenal play, San Antonio took its time offering him a contract before eventually inking a two-way deal on Tuesday. He continues to prove in every setting that he deserves a chance at rotation minutes, so look out for training camp developments regarding the sharpshooter as head coach Mitch Johnson sorts out his depth chart.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
(PF, Cleveland Cavaliers)
SL stats: 5 GP, 19.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG
3.4 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
50.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 85.7 FT%
Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the standout player for the Cavaliers in Las Vegas, averaging 19.6 PPG on solid efficiency while leading the competition in offensive rebounds per game (5.0) by a healthy margin. After playing just 63 minutes at the NBA level last season and converting just two of 10 attempts from distance, Tomlin made 10 of 30 attempts in Summer League and even drew comparisons to Evan Mobley for how Cleveland utilized the 6’10 power forward on the offensive end.
Tomlin had a great G League season as a stretch-four for the Cleveland Charge in 2024-25, averaging 20.7 PPG and 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, and will now hope to get a shot at the highest level.
The Cavaliers have reportedly already hinted at the possibility of significant playtime for Tomlin. At the very least, he’ll present stiff competition to veterans Dean Wade and Larry Nance Jr. for backup big minutes.
Stock Fallers:
Jeremiah Fears
(PG, New Orleans Pelicans)
SL stats: 5 GP, 17.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG
2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG
40.0 FG%, 18.2 3P%, 71.9 FT%
Five games are a limited sample size, but across each of those performances, Jeremiah Fears did not look ready to lead an NBA offense. The seventh overall pick in June’s draft, Fears averaged 5.0 turnovers per game (second only to his teammate Derik Queen) and managed just 2.6 APG.
His efficiency, which was a concern going into the draft, did not show any improvement, as he shot 40.0% from the floor and a miserable 18.2% from deep. His handle and quickness remain high-level, but for a player whose defensive limitations are glaring, the offensive side needs to be a net positive at the very least.
His struggles can be partially attributed to poor spacing, playing alongside non-shooting bigs in Yves Missi and Queen, but expectations were certainly much higher than this for the freshman star out of Oklahoma.
Alex Toohey
(SF, Golden State Warriors)
SL stats: 5 GP, 7.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG
0.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
27.0 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 64.7 FT%
Just a few weeks ago, we highlighted Alex Toohey as a hidden dynasty gem from the draft’s second round with a real shot at significant minutes given Jonathan Kuminga’s seemingly imminent departure. However, the Australian wing had a rough go of it in Las Vegas and currently does not even appear on ESPN’s projected Warriors depth chart for 2025-26.
He shot just 27.0 FG% and 28.6 3P% on 37 total attempts, and contributed little in other areas. While Toohey’s coaches and teammates continued to praise his aggressiveness, physical tools, and versatility, the production simply wasn’t there.
Rust certainly could have played a role, as Toohey’s last competitive game came on February 28th, and he’ll have plenty more chances to showcase his talents. But when projecting fantasy relevance, opportunity needs to be paired with ability, and as of yet, Toohey has not done enough to merit a fantasy roster spot.
Dalton Knecht
(SF, Los Angeles Lakers)
SL stats: 3 GP, 10.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG
1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG
27.9 FG%, 23.8 3P%, 33.3 FT%
After an up-and-down rookie season that saw a trade to the Hornets voided, expectations were high for Dalton Knecht coming into Summer League, but he did little to show that a sophomore-year jump is on the horizon. Knecht could not find any rhythm offensively in Las Vegas, recording putrid shooting splits of 27.9/23.8/33.3 in three games.
Knecht has been viewed as a trade piece for essentially his entire Lakers tenure, with rumors gaining momentum after Los Angeles acquired guard Marcus Smart this week. After this poor showing, though, his market value has diminished significantly, and it’s unclear what the future holds for the former Tennessee Volunteer.
Hard to Say:
Baylor Scheierman
(SG, Boston Celtics)
SL stats: 4 GP, 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG
6.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.0 BPG
27.4 FG%, 20.8 3P%, 87.5 FT%
Baylor Scheierman brings up the rear among our Summer League Risers and Fallers with a hard-to-place showing. As one of several Boston wings vying to fill minutes vacated by the injured Jayson Tatum, Scheierman shot poorly from the floor, but surprisingly finished fifth in the whole competition in APG at 6.8.
Scheierman posted just 3.1 assists per 36 minutes as a rookie, but exhibited exceptional creativity and shot creation against Summer League competition. On the flip side, his efficiency left much to be desired, as he attempted 9.8 threes per game, but made just six in four appearances.
As mentioned in the introduction, Summer League counting stats are more likely to translate to the regular season than shooting percentages, so the overall takeaway is positive. Keep an eye on Scheierman’s preseason and early 2025-26 performances to potentially take advantage of his unique, intriguing playstyle.