The second annual Fall Invitational that includes G League Ignite and a global crew — this time the Perth Wildcats (a yr after that includes Mets 92 and No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama) — concluded Friday after a two-games-in-three-days exhibition collection, and we’re no nearer to crowning a frontrunner for the No. 1 choose within the 2024 NBA Draft than we have been days in the past. Every of the crew’s stars shined vibrant in their very own methods and in several settings, with Alexandre Sarr of Perth displaying flashes of stardom and Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis of G League Ignite additionally proving their potential as doubtless top-five picks.
The groups cut up the two-game collection 1-1, with G League Ignite taking the primary sport, 124-105, adopted by a Perth win Friday, 127-112. And in every of the video games, the celebs of their respective groups led the best way. In sport primary it was Holland — one of many few candidates to go No. 1 in 2024 — who led G League Ignite with 23 factors, 5 rebounds and three steals in simply 28 minutes of motion. Buzelis added 16 factors on 13 photographs to go together with 5 boards and a pair of blocks.
In sport quantity two it was Bryce Cotton who led the best way for Perth with 40 factors adopted by 26 from Sarr in a team-leading +23 plus/minus coming off the bench. Sarr completed 10-of-14 taking pictures and had 10 rebounds, three assists and a second consecutive sport of six swatted photographs in an all-around displaying, serving to overcome a monstrous 33-point explosion from Holland on the opposite facet.
Here’s a recap of the exhibition collection together with a couple of takeaways of what we discovered over the few days of motion in Vegas.
Recreation 1: G League Ignite 124, Perth 105
Key stats
G League Ignite
- Ron Holland: 23 factors, 5 rebounds
- Matas Buzelis: 16 factors, two blocks, 5 rebounds
- Izan Almansa: 14 factors, eight rebounds, three steals
- Tyler Smith: 15 factors, 4 steals, two blocks
Perth Wildcats
- Alexandre Sarr: 17 factors, six blocks, seven rebounds
- Jordan Usher: 22 factors, six rebounds
Recreation 2: Perth 127, G League Ignite 112
Key stats
G League Ignite
- Ron Holland: 33 factors, six rebounds, 5 steals
- Matas Buzelis: 17 factors, 4 rebounds
- Izan Almansa: 13 factors, 4 rebounds, three blocks
- Tyler Smith: Seven factors, 5 blocks, six rebounds
Perth Wildcats
- Jordan Usher: 24 factors, three assists
- Alexandre Sarr: 26 factors, 10 rebounds, three assists, six blocks
Takeaways
1. Sarr’s star brightens dramatically
Getting into the week, all eyes have been on G League Ignite teammates Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland as every regarded to doubtlessly solidify themselves because the No. 1 participant within the 2024 class. And whereas we could have gotten some readability on that subject (extra beneath), it was clear to me this week that neither was the most important story to return out of Vegas. Former Extra time Elite prospect Alexandre Sarr, taking part in within the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program this yr with Perth, burst onto the scene with two huge video games for the Wildcats, averaging 21.5 factors and 6 blocks per sport in two outings vs. G League Ignite. Sarr’s size and fluidity have lengthy stood out as his most promising attributes, however his skill this week to transform that into manufacturing — each as a shot-blocker and as a finisher from inside and outside — actually stood out. He not solely performed with physicality and confidence on the within, however his stroke regarded good extending past the 3-point line as well, showcasing actual stretch-big potential.
2. Holland has No. 1 choose potential
Over the summer time, Kentucky’s Justin Edwards for my cash regarded like he was finest positioned to doubtlessly seize the steering wheel and drive into frontrunner standing as No. 1 on this unsure 2024 class. However Holland this week completely regarded the a part of a No. 1 choose primed to emerge as one of the best at school. He capped his huge week with a 33-point sport Friday and had some good flashes as a creator off the dribble and finisher to go together with his explosive, quick-twitch athleticism.
Holland led all scorers within the first sport and had the second-most within the second to mix for 56 on the week. The previous Texas signee is primed to emerge as probably the most thrilling long-term expertise on a stacked G League Ignite crew this season and has proven immense progress and growth already as an offensive weapon.
3. Buzelis beaming with upside
It is not possible to be dissatisfied in Buzelis after he turned in 33 mixed factors and three blocks within the pair of exhibitions this week vs. Perth. He wasn’t the primary attraction this week, simply given how nicely Holland and Sarr performed, however he nonetheless regarded each bit the a part of a future lottery choose, displaying exercise on protection and utilizing his size to make performs as a scorer and playmaker when given the rock. His bodily instruments for a jumbo wing are loads intriguing and we noticed much more of that on show this week with some particular defensive sequences and a few thrilling flashes on offense. Few gamers have the motion and talent he has at 6-foot-10 to create with the ball in his palms, and his various talent set on each ends ought to preserve him within the combine as a possible top-10 expertise within the 2024 class all yr.
