Had it not been for a crushing one-footed bank shot 3-pointer by Matt Ryan at right the buzzer, the Milwaukee Bucks would have been playing in the 2022 Summer League title game.
Nevertheless, they finished things up with a solid 3-2 record in what was a successful showing in the Summer League. The Bucks had a chance to get a better look at several of their young players over the past few games, and there were certainly some interesting performances. With that said, let us look at five Bucks that turned heads during the 2022 NBA Summer League showcase.
Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp impressed in NBA Summer League
It is not controversial to say that the vast majority of Milwaukee Bucks fans tuned in to watch the 2022 Summer League to see MarJon Beauchamp in action. Milwaukee’s first round selection from this past draft was set to don his Bucks jersey for the first time, and everyone was anxious to see how he would perform, given the expectations fans have for him ahead of this season. Overall, he was solid as he did a little bit of everything for the Bucks when he was on the court.
Offensively, the 21-year-old looked confident with his shots, whether they were from behind the arc, in the mid-range, or right at the rim. He averaged 12.8 points per game in these five contests, having shot 42.6 percent from the floor and 45.8 percent from deep. That 3-point percentage may be the most eye-catching takeaway from Beauchamp’s entire Summer League showcase, as there were concerns regarding his ability to knock down that shot consistently at the NBA level. Though it came in a small sample size, Beauchamp’s outside shot looked great, and hopefully that is a sign of things to come moving forward.
Defensively, the swingman was great throughout the 2022 Summer League, having shown off his versatility on a nightly basis. Beauchamp defended a handful of different positions, having utilized his height and length to pester opponents, which is a positive sign. His shot blocking was stellar in these five games, having totaled five denials. Beauchamp’s defense was a significant reason why the Bucks wanted to select him 24th overall, and he showed signs during the Summer League that he could contribute immediately on that end once the NBA season officially begins.
An area that Beauchamp had some struggles in and should look to improve on is his ball-handling. The swingman had several self-inflicted turnovers due to some sluggish ball control, which he will have to work on throughout the offseason. However, the good certainly outweighed the bad when it came to Beauchamp’s performance in the Summer League. The 21-year-old showed promising signs throughout, and he still has plenty of room to grow moving forward.
Milwaukee Bucks: AJ Green impressed in NBA Summer League
Although it was far from a perfect Summer League outing for the undrafted AJ Green, he had his share of moments. In the opener against the Brooklyn Nets, the guard shot a red-hot 5-of-10 on his field goals, including 4-of-8 from three, en route to a 14-point outing off the bench in a great win to kick things off. A few days later, he scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long distance to help push the Bucks past the Dallas Mavericks. However, between those games, the guard had a few blunders where he could not throw the rock in the ocean. Still, when he was on, Green was flat-out on as a long range marksman. The 22-year-old has a lethal 3-point shot, and if he can be consistent with it at the next level, he could potentially carve out a role for himself in the future. Green is currently set to start next season on a two-way contract with the Bucks, and it will be interesting to see how he develops down the line.
Milwaukee Bucks: Rayjon Tucker impressed in NBA Summer League
After showing promising signs of potential during the final portion of the 2021-22 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, fans were anxious to see Rayjon Tucker in the Summer League. The guard did not disappoint, having been a part of several highlight-reel-worthy plays throughout the five games. In total, Tucker’s stats were not the most eye-catching, as he averaged a mere six points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, but his impact went beyond the stat sheet. Whether the young guard was skying high for a rebound, playing pestering defense, or throwing down a vicious dunk on a fast-break, he did a little bit of everything for the Bucks in the Summer League. There is a reason why the Bucks recently signed him to a training camp deal, and it will be intriguing to see how things pan out for Tucker in the coming months. The all-time leading scorer in Wisconsin Herd history could end up back with the G-League squad or potentially earn himself a real deal with the Bucks for next season, but only time will tell.
Milwaukee Bucks: Sandro Mamukelashvili impressed in NBA Summer League
While Sandro Mamukelashvili did not see much legitimate playing time with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, he often dazzled in the G-League. Playing in the Summer League gave him the chance to get more reps and showcase what he brings to the table, and he certainly took advantage of the opportunity with an outstanding five-game run. He averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and a blocked shot per game, having stuffed the stat sheet. The 6-foot-11 big man also showcased his range on the offensive end, having shot 10-of-21 (47.6 percent) from long range. Despite the small sample size, Mamukelashvili showed signs of growth in these games compared to when he was last on the floor, displaying maturity defensively while making strides offensively. After playing his rookie season on a two-way deal, this strong Summer League showing could see the 23-year-old earn a standard NBA contract for the 2022-23 season, and rightfully so.
Milwaukee Bucks: Lindell Wigginton impressed in NBA Summer League
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 Summer League run was the fantastic play from Lindell Wigginton. The point guard was outstanding, having finished as Milwaukee’s top Summer League scorer at 18.2 points per game while shooting an extremely efficient 53.7 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from behind the arc. Wigginton was a flamethrower whenever he touched the basketball, as he showed off his lethal scoring prowess while also having finished the Summer League with averages of 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per contest. Just like his teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili, Wigginton is looking to land himself a standard NBA deal after he finished last season on a two-way, and this impressive showing was a step in that direction, as he certainly caught some attention. Wigginton is currently set to attend Bucks’ training camp on a non-guaranteed deal, and he could very well be on the opening night roster, as the team may have something special in him.
Stay tuned to see how these performances impact Milwaukee’s decision-making.