Sportsish 2025 NBA Summer League Awards
NBA 2K26 Summer League Logo (National Basketball Association)
With the iconic Las Vegas 2K26 NBA Summer League starting today and on the tail-end of the California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League, we felt it was time for an award show. We want you to know the Summer League’s coldest duos, top-scorers, and who to look out for as everyone heads to Las Vegas - maybe there will even be some upsets to our awards as everyone continues to ball out this week!
The “Coldest Duo” Award: Dalton Knecht & Darius Bazley
Los Angeles Lakers’ Dalton Knecht, 17th Overall Pick in 2024 Draft (Mark J. Rebilas | Imagn Images)
Our first award, for the coldest duo of the NBA Summer League so far, goes to none other than the Los Angeles Lakers' Dalton Knecht and Darius Bazley. Knecht and Bazley put up a tremendous effort against the San Antonio Spurs, with Bazley leading the team in 27 points and Knecht scoring 10 of his 25 total points in the last three minutes of the game to win 89-88.
The “Most Anticipated Match-Up” Award: Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James
Number 1 Overall Pick Cooper Flagg at the 2025 NBA Draft in New York City. (Adam Hunger | AP Images)
The Most Anticipated Match-Up award can go to none other than the Dallas Mavericks vs. the LA Lakers, where Cooper Flagg and Bronny James will go head to head in Las Vegas. Flagg was the 1st Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft back in June, and Bronny James is the son of Lakers legend LeBron James and the 55th pick in the 2024 draft. These elite players will match up in a historically expensive game when the Mavs play the Lakers at 8:00 PM EST tonight, July 10th.
The “People Magnet” Award: Khaman Maluach
7’2” Center Khaman Maluach During His Time at Duke University (Lance King | Getty Images)
Khaman Maluach’s story was everywhere after he was drafted 10th overall to the Phoenix Suns from Duke University, and reasonably so. Maluach’s upbringing in South Sudan had him emotional on draft night, as he watched his longtime dreams of playing in the NBA unfold in front of him. Even through some Visa issues, Maluach persisted in making his dreams come true. If the 2025 NBA rookie class has a people’s princess, it’s definitely Maluach. Maluach is our choice for the ‘People Magnet’ award because we’re certain he is going to make great connections, great friends, and great plays throughout the Summer League and regular season with his upbeat personality and extreme gratitude for his chance to play in the NBA.
The “2K I.R.L” Award: Pelle Larsson
Miami Heat Shooting Guard Pelle Larsson earns the 2K I.R.L. (In Real Life) award for his lockdown defense against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, July 8th, at the California Classic. The Miami Heat won 93-79, as Larsson and former teammate from the University of Arizona, Keshad Johnson, put up 15 points apiece and shut out the Warriors to win all four quarters of the game. BRB, going to play as Larsson on NBA 2K.
The “Top of the Leaderboard” Award: VJ Edgecombe & Brice Sensabaugh
Utah Jazz’s 28th Overall Pick in 2023, Brice Sensabaugh (Nathaniel S. Butler | Getty Images)
There’s a huge possibility that the recipients of this award might change after the Las Vegas 2K26 games, but as of right now, Philly 76ers’ Rookie VJ Edgecombe and Utah Jazz’s Brice Sensabaugh lead Summer League scoring, tied at 28 points per game. We hope this award will be beaten out by the end of the Summer League - how awesome would a 30- or 40-point game from Edgecombe and Sensabaugh be?
The “Best Coverage” Award: ESPN & NBA TV
With our “Best Coverage” award, we had to give a shoutout to ESPN and NBA TV, as they are showcasing multiple 2K26 Summer League games, allowing NBA fans from around the world to watch these amazing preseason matchups. The schedule for the rest of the upcoming Summer League can be found here, so you can keep an eye on what’s going on and if anyone’s stellar performances this week give us a run for our money.
The “Weight Room Warrior” Award: Ace Bailey
2025 Number 5 Draft Pick Ace Bailey Playing at Rutgers University (Vincent Carchietta | Imagn Images)
Utah Jazz Rookie Ace Bailey put up an impressive 18 points in his first Summer League game with the Jazz, including two pretty sick dunks. Although there was some rumors and controversy about Bailey’s feelings about being drafted to the Jazz back in June, it’s clear that Bailey is giving his all for the Jazz and reflecting what his Rutgers Head Coach said about him, which led us to give him the Weight Room Warrior award for his dedication to his game and athleticism.
“Ace was always the first one in the gym” - Steve Pikiell, Rutgers Men’s Basketball Head Coach
The “Instant Highlight Reel” Award: Walter Clayton Jr.
Walter Clayton Jr. with the Florida Gators, where he became a National Champion in 2025 (Chris Carlson | AP Photos)
Recent NCAA National Champion Water Clayton Jr. earns the Instant Highlight Reel award because he’s just been on a roll since April. As the 18th Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Clayton put up an impactful 20 points, 4 assists, and 1 rebound/block/steal in 28 minutes of play in a close game (86-82) with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, July 8th. We know that Walter Clayton Jr.’s highlight reel is only going to grow during his time with the NBA, but for now, he just can’t be stopped.
The “Haliburton” Award: Tyler Burton
Tyler Burton didn’t win this award because his name sounds like Tyrese Haliburton’s - it’s because his Summer League performance with the Memphis Grizzlies was reminiscent of Indiana Pacer’s Tyrese Haliburton’s insane clutch shots during every round of this year’s NBA Playoffs. In 25 minutes of play, Burton put up 23 points, including five 3-pointers, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist/steal/block. Burton plays for the G-League side of the Grizzlies (The Memphis Hustle), and although he went undrafted from Villanova in 2024, this performance is sure to put him on the radar.
The “Tightest Matchup” Award: Dylan Harper vs. VJ Edgecombe
Number #3 Overall Draft Pick, VJ Edgecombe during his time at Baylor University (Icon Sportswire | Getty Images)
The #2 and #3 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft will go head to head at 10:00 PM EST tonight, winning them the award for the tightest matchup. Dylan Harper (Rutgers University) and VJ Edgecombe (Baylor University) will face off tonight as their respective teams, the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers, go head to head in Las Vegas. Though distinct in many of their playing aspects, it will be incredible to watch these two great scorers go head-to-head for the first time in the NBA.