One of the greatest joys of the NBA Summer League is watching top prospects fight to keep their dreams alive.
Now that NBA 2K24 Summer League has passed and the Cleveland Cavaliers were crowned champions, this year was no exception. We saw several second-rounders outperform their draft position and other notable undrafted free agents look like potential steals on two-way deals.
But there are still several UDFA who are looking to earn their own two-way deal and potentially showed enough while on the court to receive that chance from an NBA team.
We ranked the prospects most likely to get that call from a front office.
This story used AI-Powered statistics provided by the Stats Perform database.
RELATED: 5 second-round picks in 2023 who already look like draft steals during NBA Summer League
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1
Charles Bediako
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: San Antonio Spurs
Among the top players on ESPN’s Top 100 Big Board to go undrafted, Alabama’s Charles Bediako is the top remaining prospect who does not yet have a two-way contract signed.
Bedkiako averaged 17.5 points, 17.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per 40 minutes for San Antonio during NBA Summer League. He was incredibly productive when he was on the court.
Bediako, who is only 21 years old, was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team last season. The big allowed just 0.64 points allowed per defensive chance for Alabama last season, via Stats Perform, which ranked as the second-best among all undrafted free agents.
Opponents were 15-of-39 (30.7 percent) when he was the nearest defender in the restricted area and 12-of-46 (26.1 percent) in the non-restricted area of the paint, via Stats Perform. Both ranked as the best among all undrafted free agents who had at least 20 attempts tracked.
Alabama allowed opposing teams to shoot just 45.0 percent at the rim when Bediako was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which was the best among all Division I men’s college basketball players.
Bediako was also disruptive when defending shooters as well. Opponents were 22-of-80 (.275) when Bediako contested jumpers, via Stats Perform, which ranked second-best (minimum: 50 attempts) among UDFA as well.
Meanwhile, however, there is also a lot to like about his offense.
His “shot quality” (1.38) ranked as the best among all undrafted free agents, per Synergy, and he did a good job of keeping the offense flowing when he was on the court.
He set 0.13 dribble handoffs per touch for Alabama, via Stats Perform, which ranked top-10 among UDFA. Both his secondary assist rate (3.6 percent) and his free-throw assist rate (3.1 percent) ranked top-10 as well.
Some fun Charles Bediako flashes not only in that first half but in this Summer League.
Can completely understand San Antonio taking a flier on the physical tools and size. Will need time but you can see the rough mold of a contributor.
— Mr. Ass (@JohnchoVilla) July 17, 2023
Bediako measured 6-foot-10 in socks with a 7-foot-3.25 wingspan. Those are similar measurements to LaMarcus Aldridge, per Stadium Speak.
San Antonio still has room to offer one or more two-way contracts depending on what they decide to do with Dominick Barlow. But any team looking for a big man should have a legitimate interest in Bediako.
2
Nathan Mensah
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Charlotte Hornets
After helping lead his team to an appearance in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship, former San Diego State big man Nathan Mensah was not selected in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Mensah averaged 18.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes for the Hornets during NBA 2K24 Summer League.
The two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year is a very strong rebounder who boxed out his opponents on 41.0 percent of opportunities, via Stats Perform, which was the best among all undrafted free agents.
Both his adjusted rebound percentage (89.5 percent) and his points allowed per defensive chance (0.71) both ranked top-10 among UDFA as well.
Hornets just tallied 5 OREB on a single possession, ending with a Jaylen Sims 3PM – Nathan Mensah accounted for three of them
— Sam Perley (@sam_perley) July 15, 2023
The big man was also good at doing the little things on the offensive end of the floor. He set 0.23 dribble handoffs per touch, via Stats Perform, which ranked second-best among UDFA. Meanwhile, 21.4 percent of his passes led to a shot, which ranked top-10 among UDFA.
Mensah is just short of 6-foot-10 with a wingspan longer than 7-foot-5. His closest physical comparisons include Tyson Chandler and Jaxson Hayes, per Stadium Speak.
Charlotte does not have any available two-way contracts at the moment but any team looking to add size will take a look at Mensah, who is potentially ready for NBA minutes at 25 years old.
3
Landers Nolley II
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: New Orleans Pelicans
Landers Nolley II averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per 40 minutes for the Pelicans during NBA 2K24 Summer League.
He shot 50.0 percent on 3-pointers and 8-of-17 (47.1 percent) on his catch-and-shoot opportunities, per Synergy. Nolley is a safe bet to continue the hot hand from beyond the arc, too.
beat the buzzer Landers 🎯 pic.twitter.com/6ttrEULo3X
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 16, 2023
The former Cincinnati wing was 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) on 3-pointers from NBA distance and 17-of-28 (60.7 percent) on uncontested 3-pointers. Both ranked as the best (minimum: 10 attempts) among undrafted free agents, via Stats Perform.
Nolley forced closeouts on 26.9 percent of his offensive touches, per Stats Perform, which ranked top-3 among UDFA as well. He connected on a total of 31 corner 3-pointers, via CBB Analytics, which ranked fifth-most among all Division I men’s college basketball players.
Measuring 6-foot-6.25 in socks and with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, according to Stadium Speak, his closest physical comparisons include Luon Deng and TJ Warren.
Every team could use a floor spacer with good length so it shouldn’t take long for a team to sign Nolley.
4
KJ Williams
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Oklahoma City Thunder
K.J. Williams had a solid showcase in NBA Summer League for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He averaged 18.0 points, 16.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.7 steals per 40 minutes for Oklahoma City.
Williams, who was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2022 before transferring to LSU, is a solid perimeter defender. He held his opponents to shoot 7-of-35 (20.0 percent) when contesting 3-pointers last season, per Stats Perform, which ranked as the best (minimum: 20 attempts) among undrafted free agents.
Although his 3-pointer wasn’t connecting at all during NBA 2K24 Summer League, there is still plenty of reason to believe in his long-term upside.
KJ Williams has been so interesting to watch because he has not done anything eye-popping, but he is just making the right play in the right position every time. Just doing a lot of good things. I would be interested in seeing him with the Blue.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 11, 2023
Williams averaged 0.44 points per offensive touch for LSU last season, per Stats Perform, which ranked top-5 among all undrafted free agents. He shot 18-of-40 (45.0 percent) on uncontested 3-pointers, which also ranked near the best among undrafted rookies.
Synergy Shot Making measures points per shot above expectation. He had an SSM (0.27) that ranked top-5 among all UDFA.
Even when the ball is not in his hands, however, he still made an impact. Williams averaged 0.24 off-ball screens per offensive chance at LSU, per Stats Perform, which ranked third-best among UDFA. He was also one of the leaders in second-chance points scored, per CBB Analytics.
Williams is 6-foot-7.75″ with a 7-foot wingspan and although he is not the most agile or vertical athlete, he is an ideal target on a two-way deal either in Oklahoma City or elsewhere.
5
Caleb McConnell
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Oklahoma City Thunder
Caleb McConnell is a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year who stood out on the defensive end of the floor for the Thunder during the NBA 2K24 Summer League.
Among all undrafted players in the Salt Lake City Summer League who were not signed to a two-way deal, McConnell finished with the second-best score in the HoopsHype catch-all metric Global Rating.
McConnell averaged 8.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.7 blocks per 40 minutes while on the floor for Oklahoma City during all of his NBA Summer League games.
Working on both ends ⏭ pic.twitter.com/JZmiPv0mth
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 11, 2023
His defensive ability was hardly a surprise to anyone who had seen him play before, though. He allowed just 0.24 points per drive for Rutgers last season, via Stats Perform, which ranked as the best (minimum: 35 attempts) among undrafted free agents.
He also allowed just 0.29 points on isolation opportunities, which ranked top-5 (minimum: 25 opportunities) among UDFA as well.
Oklahoma City has multiple two-way contracts available and McConnell is a wise bet to potentially earn one of the offers.
6
Jordan "Jelly" Walker
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Dallas Mavericks
Jordan “Jelly” Walker, who was on an Exhibit-10 contract with the Dallas Mavericks, was one of the most exciting players to watch during the NBA 2K24 Summer League.
The 2022 Conference USA Player of the Year averaged an absurd 33.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 3.2 steals per 40 minutes during his four appearances coming off the bench for Dallas. He also shot 48.1 percent on 3-pointers and led all qualified players in the tournament for made 3-pointers (8.3) per 40 minutes.
Among all undrafted players in Las Vegas not signed to two-way deals, he scored the best in the HoopsHype catch-all metric Global Rating.
Walker scored 52 total points during NBA Summer League and more than half (32 points) were scored via jumpers off the dribble, per Synergy.
Jelly Walker sweet pull up 3 pic.twitter.com/Fpp1FP0dqc
— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) July 17, 2023
This is not unusual for Walker, who scored 62 unassisted 3-pointers last season. That ranked second-best among all Division I men’s college basketball players, via CBB Analytics.
A natural floor general, meanwhile, his pure point rating (PPR) ranked fourth-best among all qualified players during NBA Summer League.
But the problem is that Walker is undersized, measuring just above 5-foot-9 in socks and 159 pounds. The good news, however, is that his lane agility (10.878 seconds) would rank in the 84th percentile among all participants since 2000, per Stadium Speak.
It feels more likely that Dallas offers its third two-way spot to Taze More because they already have an undersized point guard with Mike Miles Jr. under contract. Walker, however, has certainly earned a look from the rest of the league.
7
Kendric Davis
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Golden State Warriors
Kendric Davis, a former American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and AAC Tournament MVP, was easily one of the most intriguing players during the NBA 2K24 Summer League.
Among all undrafted players in the California Classic Summer League who were not signed to a two-way deal, Davis measured with the best score in the HoopsHype catch-all metric Global Rating.
The guard averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals per 40 minutes for Golden State during all of his NBA 2K24 Summer League action. Davis was 12-of-17 (41.4 percent) on catch-and-shoot jumpers, per Synergy, which is an ideal output for a guard.
One of the big criticisms of Kendric Davis' game was how he'd counter his undersized frame at 5'11 to see over defenses and play through the trees
In summer league, he's been one of the most mistake-free guards, finding open teammates both at the rim and shooters with ease pic.twitter.com/AFpAABmiMr
— Mavs/Magic Draft AKA NBADraftFilm on IG/Threads (@MavsDraft) July 16, 2023
He is an especially good playmaker in the open court and he recorded 71 assists in transition for Memphis last season, according to Synergy. That ranked third-best among all Division I men’s college basketball players.
His three-quarter sprint (3.17 seconds) would rank in the 84th percentile among all participants since 2000, per Stadium Speak, which he showcased at Memphis as well. He scored 183 fastbreak points last season, via CBB Analytics, which ranked eighth-most among all Division I men’s college basketball players.
Memphis scored an additional 17.2 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court relative to when he was off, via CBB Analytics, which ranked in the 99th percentile last season.
Davis is undersized at 5-foot-10.25 and 181.2 pounds but he is the type of floor general you want to have on your roster, especially on a two-way deal. He is potentially a likely bet to earn a two-way deal with the Warriors, who have not signed anyone to such a contract yet this offseason.
8
Nick Ongenda
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Utah Jazz
Someone who potentially flew under the radar a bit during NBA Summer League was big man Nick Ongenda.
The former DePaul center averaged 14.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.1 blocks per 40 minutes while on the court for Utah. He also shot 11-of-16 at the rim (68.8 percent) while connecting on eight dunks, via Synergy, or 2.0 dunks per 40 minutes.
Probably the least talked about Canadian at Summer League, Nick Ongenda really impressed with the Utah Jazz.
This put back slam over Cam Whitmore just one of many highlights. pic.twitter.com/BZXD7N2Bd4
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) July 17, 2023
Utah has one two-way spot available with Micah Potter and Joey Hauser both currently under contract.
Ongenda showed with his excellent hustle and vertical pop why he may deserve consideration for the third spot as an energy big man for the Jazz.
9
Keshawn Justice
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Utah Jazz
If the Jazz do not sign Nick Ongenda with their final two-way contract, they ought to seriously consider Keshawn Justice.
Justice averaged 17.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks (including a game-saving block) per 40 minutes during NBA 2K24 Summer League. He was efficient and made the most of his opportunity with his playing time.
Among all undrafted players in Las Vegas not signed to two-way deals, he scored the second-best in the HoopsHype catch-all metric Global Rating.
During his time at Santa Clara, the two-time All-WCC forward showed that he is a legitimately serviceable movement shooter. He received 0.15 dribble handoffs per touch, via Stats Perform, which ranked as the most among all undrafted free agent rookies.
He scored 63 points on handoffs, per Synergy, which ranked top-20 among all Division I men’s college basketball in the regular season.
If it were me… Keshawn Justice would be on a Two-Way… see if there’s any Niang development there.
Hopefully the Jazz at the very least bring him to camp and retain his rights.
— Zack Padmore (@ZP12Hoops) July 15, 2023
He is an interesting candidate for two-way consideration in Utah.
Justice, who shot 38.3 percent on 3-pointers during his five years at Santa Clara, could potentially blossom into having a role like Malik Beasley or Tim Hardaway Jr. in the NBA.
10
Matthew Mayer
SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM: Houston Rockets
After signing a deal to play NBA Summer League for the Houston Rockets, Matthew Mayer exceeded expectations while on the floor.
The former Baylor and Illinois floor spacer averaged 19.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per 40 minutes while he played in the second unit for the Rockets. He also shot 43.5 percent from beyond the arc during these games.
Say what you want about Matthew Mayer but he's a 6'9" shooter with some juice. He's gonna keep getting chances in the NBA and has a good chance at sticking somewhere.
— Draft Deeper (@DraftDeeper) July 16, 2023
Mayer was a solid catch-and-shoot threat for Houston and made multiple 3-pointers in each of his appearances during NBA Summer League. He should have a place in the league given his size.
The former NCAA champion and 2022-23 All-Big-Ten honoree measured at 6-foot-8.5 with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and his lane agility (10.82 seconds) ranked in the 87th percentile, per Stadium Speak.
Some of his closest physical comparisons include Joe Ingles, Shane Battier and Kyle Kuzma.
Houston has another two-way spot available with Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days already signed and Mayer could likely get that third deal.
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