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Alabama Basketball: How former players fared in 2021 NBA Summer League

By Matt Melton

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Brodric Thomas #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Kira Lewis Jr. #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 87-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Brodric Thomas #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Kira Lewis Jr. #13 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 87-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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As the 2021 NBA Summer League officially came to an end on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, we can now officially look at how each former Alabama Basketball player performed in their first ever professional action.

Former Alabama Basketball players impressed during 2021 NBA Summer League.

There were three former Crimson Tide players that saw action during this year’s NBA Summer League, two of which were recent draft picks. Here is a look at how each performed during action over the past week and a half out in Las Vegas.

NOTE: Stats are from only the Las Vegas Summer League games from 8/8 – 8/17, not games in Utah or California that occurred before play in Las Vegas began.

Kira Lewis Jr – New Orleans Pelicans

After a strong rookie season a year ago, the former No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft saw his first summer league action after no games in Las Vegas a year ago. Serving as the starting point guard for the Pelicans, Lewis appeared in all five games for New Orleans where he averaged 10.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 5.8 APG with a +13 plus/minus while averaging 26.2 minutes per game.

Joshua Primo – San Antonio Spurs

The first of Alabama’s draft picks this season, the No. 12 overall pick saw his first professional action before Las Vegas when the Spurs played a couple of games in Utah. Only appearing in two games out in Las Vegas, Primo started both for San Antonio averaging 14.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.5 APG.

Herbert Jones – New Orleans Pelicans

The 2020-21 SEC Player of the Year, the No. 35 overall pick in this year’s draft by the Pelicans made his professional debut primarily coming off the bench, but drew the start on Tuesday night. Jones appeared in all five of New Orleans’ games averaging 7.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.2 BPG while also finishing with a +11 plus/minus on 20.5 minutes per game.

The Pelicans finished Summer League undefeated with a 5-0 record, one of two teams to finish without a loss (Summer League Champion Sacramento Kings), while the Spurs finished with a 1-4 record.

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Looking ahead, Lewis will certainly see some additional minutes this season compared to a year ago as he is most-likely set as the Pelicans back-up point guard. As for Primo and Jones, it is currently unknown as to what role they may play during their rookie seasons, but the talent and potential is obviously there to be a key piece of their respective team’s normal rotation.

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