The headline matchup of the NBA Summer League Showdown came on opening night, when No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson finally squared off as professionals. The two have a rivalry dating back to high school and met once before in college, when Peterson’s Kansas team beat Dybantsa’s BYU squad. Peterson has carried that momentum into his pro debut, averaging 26.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists across his first two summer league outings on 52.8% shooting.
Beyond the Dybantsa-Peterson rivalry, the NBA Summer League Showdown features a rookie class widely considered one of the strongest in years. No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler, and No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. round out a group of lottery picks already turning heads.
Wagler put up a 25-point, 12-assist performance against Boozer’s Grizzlies at Salt Lake City Summer League before resting ahead of his Las Vegas debut. Acuff led all scorers at the California Classic with 23.5 points per game, though his 33.3% shooting has scouts watching his efficiency closely in Vegas.
Several 2025 first-round picks are also using the NBA Summer League Showdown to push for larger roles heading into next season. Yang Hansen, the towering 7-foot-1 Blazers center, returns after a limited rookie year and remains closely watched by millions of fans back in China.
Hugo Gonzalez posted the best net rating of any rookie with significant minutes last season and will get an expanded offensive role for the Celtics in Vegas. Ryan Kalkbrenner returns for Charlotte after helping the Hornets win last year’s Las Vegas title alongside Kon Knueppel.
With action running through July 19, the NBA Summer League Showdown still has plenty left to settle, from Mikel Brown Jr.’s development as Brooklyn’s new lead guard to whether Khaman Maluach can build on a limited rookie year in Phoenix. For live schedules and box scores as the tournament continues, NBA.com’s official Summer League hub tracks results in real time, while ESPN’s complete player-to-watch guide breaks down every roster in more depth.
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