Polished Jalen Wilson impresses Nets in Summer League action
Jalen Wilson speaks at the Nets training facility on June 23. Credit: Errol Anderson
LAS VEGAS — It didn’t take long for Jalen Wilson to make a quick impression for the Nets at NBA Summer League.
In Wilson’s debut, he scored 13 points to help his team rally from an 13-point halftime deficit. It was also two fewer points than the entire Cavaliers team scored in the period.
Wilson, who was drafted in the second round, got out to a faster start in his second game with a nine-point first quarter. Both moments showed an assertiveness both as a balanced scorer and willing defender.
“He just brings a bunch of energy,” Nets Summer League coach Trevor Hendry said. “That’s whether it’s on the offensive glass or they’re just trying to drive it to get to the rim. Defensively, he can guard essentially every possession.”
For Wilson, 22, it reflected his experience spending four seasons at Kansas and winning a national championship in 2022. He’s older than most rookies and there’s more polish in his skill set.
On Tuesday, he had 14 points in the Nets' 92-71 win over the Bucks at Cox Pavilion. As the Nets improved to 2-1, it was Wilson's third consecutive game scoring in double figures but he's shown more than just getting buckets.
Wilson had two blocks in the Nets’ loss to the Cavaliers and eight rebounds in their win over the Knicks. Against the Bucks, he added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in his most well-rounded outing so far.
It wasn’t just scoring 35 points through two games. Wilson had two blocks in the Nets’ loss to the Cavaliers and eight rebounds in their win over the Knicks. Whatever was needed, he was willing and productive enough to do it.
“Playing against good guys like this in an environment like this, everyone's going to have to give a percent more,” Wilson said. “And when you have guys that you're playing against that are good players, that can make plays on their own, you can't take two or three minutes off.”
The question now is how Wilson fits on the roster? He signed a two-way contract, meaning he’ll likely split time between the Nets and the G-League.
The Nets already have 14 roster spots filled and with Wilson being a wing, he’s at the team’s most crowded position. It’s hard finding minutes behind not only Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, but also Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neale and first-round pick Dariq Whitehead.
Both Whitehead and fellow rookie Noah Clowney need time to develop since both will be 19 years old at the start of the season. Whitehead also skipped summer league play because of a second foot surgery expected to keep him out until training camp.
That leaves Wilson in further development mode despite his strong play this week. General manager Sean Marks, however, was pleased with what he saw through two games.
“You can see the high IQ. You can see how he plays. He’s got a great feel for the game,” Marks said Sunday. “I think the team enjoys playing with a guy like Jalen, right? I think his shot, he’s working on his consistency. If he can continue to knock that down like he did today, you’re looking at an NBA player.”
Wilson shot just 43% from the field last season at Kansas and 33.7% on three-pointers. In three games at Summer League, those numbers are slightly better at 50% overall shooting and 53.8% on threes.
It’s a small sample size and not enough to assume it translates next season. But it’s a sign that Wilson understands what he needs to work on. In the meantime, he’s finding comfort in showing what he can do, whether that’s leading on defense or getting to the basket.
“I think that's the biggest thing for rookies is you’re not afraid to get out, be vocal, be confident in themselves, but also be able to learn," Wilson said. "And I feel like communication is the biggest key to winning in the game, not only in the NBA but all levels.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
