The 2023 NBA Summer League is in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the big leagues.
The Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects looking to get some playing time with Los Angeles and those fighting for a spot somewhere.
Alex Fudge, an undrafted 6-foot-8 forward out of the University of Florida, was one of those players looking to use his spot on the summer Lakers as an audition for a roster spot down the line.
Fudge failed to measure up
Fudge wasn’t a standout at Florida. In his one season, he averaged 5.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 19.3 minutes a game. The previous year he was at 3.3 points, 3.2 boards and 13.9 minutes per contest while at Louisiana State University.
The Lakers signed him to an Exhibit-10 deal in late June, and he didn’t show much, if any, promise during summer league play.
He didn’t play in their first game of the California Classic on July 3, and he received very little playing time after that as head coach JD DuBois elected to go with other men off the bench in the frontcourt.
In five games during the main summer league in Las Vegas, Fudge averaged 2.6 points on 33.3% field goal shooting, 1.4 rebounds and 11.2 minutes a game.
Perhaps the one bright spot was his 1 block per game, and he did provide a nice highlight block while running back in transition against the Boston Celtics.
Please just watch Alex Fudge… pic.twitter.com/pNlgnLdqO0
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 13, 2023
Final Grade: D
