On July 7th, the NBA Summer League California Classic tips off with a clash between the San Antonio Spurs and the Charlotte Hornets.
The California Classic serves as an early start for the Summer League, giving some teams an opportunity to showcase their rookies and assess their talents. In this match, Spurs’ fourth overall pick Castle and Hornets’ sixth pick Salah will make their debuts, with both players expected to draw significant attention. Additionally, last year’s second overall pick Brandon Miller has also been included in the Summer League roster.
The Spurs, armed with the fourth pick in the draft, selected guard Castle from UConn. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the 23-24 season, helping UConn win the NCAA championship. Castle’s first appearance will be closely watched, given his strengths in penetration but weaknesses in shooting, particularly a 27% three-point shooting percentage that he’ll need to improve. Playing alongside veteran guard Paul, Castle has a great chance to learn and grow.
The Hornets drafted Salah, an 18-year-old forward from Cholet in France’s LNB Pro A league, where he averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Despite modest stats, Salah’s potential is highly regarded, and the Hornets are hoping he can develop alongside LaMelo Ball and Miller to form the nucleus of a rising team.
Miller’s inclusion in the Summer League is somewhat surprising, considering his rookie season averages of 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists with a 37.3% three-point shooting percentage. His talent is already evident, so perhaps he’s looking to fine-tune his form. If he sees action, Miller could very well dominate the competition.
The Hornets, with Miller on their side, might have the upper hand, while Castle and Salah’s debuts will be focal points. Who will secure the opening victory? We’ll just have to wait and see.
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