Simon shines, Oliver soars: NBLxNBA Summer League Day Two Recap

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

NBL21 Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon showcased his ability to impact the game in multiple ways on the second day of the 2021 Las Vegas NBA Summer League.

Simon stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks as his Phoenix Suns went down to the Utah Jazz 63-57.

Even though he won’t be returning to the Illawarra Hawks in NBL22, Simon is proving he has NBA level potential and that he would still be a handy addition to any NBL roster for the upcoming season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>NBL21 DPOY Justin Simon (<a href="https://twitter.com/simon_Says_so?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@simon_Says_so</a>) was active for the Suns in their loss to the Jazz, getting extended run today. The former <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> star did a bit of everything in 23 minutes of action.<br><br>10 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK ? <a href="https://t.co/buYI5m4ygu">pic.twitter.com/buYI5m4ygu</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424974647368437760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Simon’s Suns teammate, new South East Melbourne Phoenix import Zach Hankins, pulled down eight rebounds in the game.

NBL fans are well aware of Cam Oliver’s highlight making dunks and the NBA Summer League crowd got a first-hand glimpse of it today as the Cairns Taipans star threw down a pair of jams for the Golden State Warriors.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> star Cam Oliver announcing his arrival in Vegas with some hammers for the Warriors. <br><br>9 PTS | 6 REB | 1 BLK ? <a href="https://t.co/kSnzzjisRL">pic.twitter.com/kSnzzjisRL</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424932354443804681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The dunks put an exclamation mark on an impressive performance from Oliver as he recorded nine points and six rebounds.

NBL Next Star Justinian Jessup was again a focal point of the Warriors’ offence but struggled to find his shooting touch, finishing with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> Next Star Justinian Jessup played alongside Cam Oliver with the Warriors earlier today in their loss to Orlando.<br><br>7 PTS | 5 REB | 3 AST ? <a href="https://t.co/w3UDDzN5kG">pic.twitter.com/w3UDDzN5kG</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424932588611727360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On the sidelines, former Sydney Kings head coach Damian Cotter led the Chicago Bulls in their opening game of the Summer League.

After heading up their G-League outfit, Cotter moved into an assistant coach role for the Bulls last season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shout out to former <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> head coach Damian Cotter who is leading the <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagobulls</a> in Vegas ??<br><br>After heading up their G League outfit, Cotter moved into an Assistant Coach role for the Bulls last season <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/tHbF8sihvY">pic.twitter.com/tHbF8sihvY</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424899799753527300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

RJ Hampton hit the Summer League court for the first time and the former New Zealand Breakers guard recorded nine points, four rebounds and three assists for the Orlando Magic.

Another former Next Star, Didi Louzada, got the start for the New Orleans Pelicans and contributed three points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>Former <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a> Next Star <a href="https://twitter.com/Didi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Didi</a> hit the court for the first time in Vegas this morning with his <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PelicansNBA</a> squad getting the start.<br><br>3 PTS | 6 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL ? <a href="https://t.co/lCY4XDVU2i">pic.twitter.com/lCY4XDVU2i</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424902942105112602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Perth Wildcats club MVP John Mooney pulled down six rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks in their win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

A pair of NBL21 players hit the court for the Indiana Pacers in Keifer Sykes (two points, three assists) and BJ Johnson (16 minutes).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>Fresh off signing with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pacers</a>, NBL21 <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> point guard Keifer Sykes suited up for Indiana earlier today in a loss to the Knicks.<br><br>2 PTS | 3 AST | 1 STL ? <a href="https://t.co/vC3pvlbm6w">pic.twitter.com/vC3pvlbm6w</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424906112910856232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Other NBLxNBA players to play on Tuesday included Brian Bowen Jr (three rebounds, two blocks) and Ben Moore (two rebounds).

Jarell Martin (Utah) and Tahjere McCall (Orlando) recorded DNPs on Tuesday.