Sights and sounds from former Arizona Wildcats at Day 1 of NBA Summer League
Deandre Ayton makes anticipated debut, Rawle Alkins heats up, and other Wildcats hit the court for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Ayton takes center stage as summer league tips off
Updated
Deandre Ayton and five other ex-Wildcats are in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League.
All eyes were on the Phoenix Suns and No. 1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton on Friday night. And for the first time, all 30 teams are in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League.
Twenty teams took the court on the first day of action, which runs through July 17. That includes six former Wildcats and another alumnus in Miles Simon, who will take over head coaching duties for Luke Walton this summer with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ayton, Rawle Alkins, Kadeem Allen and Chance Comanche each played their first game Friday. Here's how some of the action unfolded.
For more on former Wildcats' stats and schedules in Vegas, you can click here.
Rawle the Raptor
UpdatedRawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) takes the floor for the @Raptors. pic.twitter.com/qoTIdjfCTP
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Welcome to the association
UpdatedRawle Alkins finally checks into the game with 7 minutes left in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/UESNWE8LVu
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
'Hey bro, nice dunk'
UpdatedFinal: Pelicans defeat Raptors 90-77Rawle Alkins: 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3FG), 6 rebounds, 1 assist in 14 minutes pic.twitter.com/1YZyEdU1mO
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
About that dunk...
UpdatedRawle Alkins put on a show in the second half for the Toronto Raptors. #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/EJJBFWmO3j
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Alkins 'always motivated'
UpdatedRawle Alkins on his pro debut with the Toronto Raptors: “It’s a fast paced game and it kinda all hit me at once. ... You play so fast you don’t realize how much stuff you’re doing at once. It was a great opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/RZ6APhDJFL
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Rawle Alkins on going undrafted: “I was always motivated. I guess you could say it was a motivating experience. I wasn’t really expecting that.”
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Alkins also mentions that him and Allonzo Trier still talk to each other on a daily basis. pic.twitter.com/NhPJ0KdE4x
Comanche in the building
UpdatedChance Comanche and the Orlando Magic getting ready for the first game of NBA Summer League against the Brooklyn Nets. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/5GitgJQcLB
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Kadeem Allen sighting
UpdatedNext Wildcat up: Boston Celtics guard Kadeem Allen #NBASummer Celtics take on the Sixers in just a few minutes on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VXAS5tmzcQ
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018
Allen heads off with Day 1 win
UpdatedFinal: Celtics defeat Sixers 95-89
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018
Kadeem Allen: 6 points (3-5 FG), 3 assists pic.twitter.com/V0B7y4lZiO
It's about that time
UpdatedIT’S TIME!!!!! Deandre Ayton set to make his debut with the Phoenix Suns. Tipoff against the Dallas Mavericks minutes away. pic.twitter.com/8GfXRg7zYJ
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018
Deandre Ayton’s first game not rocking the swoosh on his feet. @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/WWeT9E0o14
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 7, 2018
Just like old times
UpdatedALLEY-OOP! Deandre Ayton slams it home for his first points as a Phoenix Sun in @NBASummerLeague. pic.twitter.com/6hxiNXHLOw
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018
Rejected!Courtesy of @DeandreAyton pic.twitter.com/hZegcCXbkU
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 7, 2018
Ayton 'felt like a rookie'
UpdatedDeandre Ayton was feeling the “energy” and “excitement” in his Phoenix Suns debut. Ayton also adds that he was surprised with the physicality of tonight’s win over the Dallas Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/YcMbOwsVfn
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018
Suns back in action on Saturday
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on his performance tonight: “I can do better, but overall I think I did alright.” #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/qHENMmAHnQ
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018
More from Las Vegas
Updated
For more on Ayton's professional debut and the five other Wildcats in Las Vegas for summer league play, check out the links below.
On day of firsts, Deandre Ayton battles excitement and double-teams in Suns debut
NBA Summer League: Stats and schedules for Deandre Ayton, former Wildcats in Vegas
The Wildcast: Episode 113: On NBA Summer League, free agency, and incoming Wildcats
And don't forget to follow @TheWildcaster on Twitter and like The Wildcaster on Facebook for live updates and exclusive coverage throughout the weekend.
