Photo courtesy of Arkansas athletics
The 2022 NBA Draft has come and gone. Headliners like Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. have gotten all the attention as expected.
As for the Arkansas Razorbacks, they produced just a single pick. The soon-to-be-named Arkansas charge legend – if not already – heard his name called. With the 34th pick, Jaylin Williams’ dreams became a reality.
The selection kept an Arkansas-based streak in contact. Williams’ selection marked the fourth consecutive year that a Razorback was drafted. Some of the important talents from last season weren’t so lucky that night.
Following the session of undrafted players finding contracts, it was still quiet. Kentucky slayer J.D Notae continued to listen to his options. Meanwhile, Stanley Umude was rewarded with a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons.
As July approached, Notae wound up joining a familiar face. Getting a chance with the Golden State Warriors, Moses Moody welcomed him with open arms. The draft/post-draft situation may have seemed underwhelming for Arkansas.
Don’t get used to it.
The excitement this time next year will surround head coach Eric Musselman’s prized 5-star recruits. There’s no telling who else might jump off the page by then.
Back to the present, NBA Summer League games are already underway. July 2 marked the start for some former Hogs:
NBA Summer League California
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers and Mason Jones shunned the Miami Heat with a 34-point win. Playing alongside two sons of NBA legends has its weight. Jones scored eight points in 23 minutes. His only field goal was a three-pointer, as he worked his way to the line for five more.
Padding his stat sheet, he added six assists, four rebounds, and a steal. Possibly his most important stat was a +/- of 28 — good for second on the team. Golden State also started Summer League play on Saturday but neither Arkansas player saw action.
The following day, the Lakers and Warriors met. Jones got into foul trouble, limiting his minutes. Playing 18 nonetheless, he scored five points points on two field goals and a free throw. He added two rebounds, a block and a steal. Despite his four turnovers, the Lakers still cruised past the Warriors.
Moody saw 24 minutes’ worth of action. Supporting a +/- of -24, it was a rather rough outing. Moody shot 27.3% from the field and tallied nine points. His highlights came on the defensive end as he finished with two blocks to go with a rebound and three assists.
Notae got his first NBA minutes — 13 of them to be exact. One made shot and a made free throw equaled his three points. Keeping goose eggs off his sheet, he got a single rebound, assist, and steal. In a losing effort, not a single Golden State player had a positive +/- in the 23-point loss.
In Tuesday’s 87-75 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Jones finished with seven points and two assists for the Lakers, but shot just 2-for-8 from the field.
Notae did not play for the Warriors in Tuesday’s 94-70 loss to the Heat. Moody finished with 13 points, three assists and three steals, but continued to struggle from the floor. He finished 5-for-15 and just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc.
NBA Summer League Utah
The Utah Summer League got underway on Tuesday and former Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe shined. Joe shot 7-for-15 and finished with 19 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Philadelphia 76ers in a 103-99 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Joe was 4-for-12 from distance in the loss.
Williams struggled offensively in his NBA Summer League debut for the Detroit Pistons. He managed just two points on 1-for-7 from the field, but added six rebounds and three assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 98-77 win over the Utah Jazz.
Catch What Will be Missed
The NBA Summer League will host the majority of games from July 7-17 in Las Vegas. There will be lots of television coverage this season to the benefit of all. With inter-division games, there are many chances for former players to face off.
Razorbacks in the NBA Summer League
Below is a full list of Arkansas players playing in the NBA Summer League:
Stanley Umude, G, Detroit Pistons, UDFA (10-day contract)
Moses Moody, G, Golden State Warriors, 14th overall in 2021 NBA Draft
JD Notae, G, Golden State Warriors, UDFA
Mason Jones, G, Los Angeles Lakers, 2-way contract
Jaylin Williams, F, Oklahoma City Thunder, 34th overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft
Isaiah Joe, G, Philadelphia 76ers, 49th overall pick in 2020 NBA Draft
Dusty Hannahs, G, Milwaukee Bucks, 2017 UDFA
For the full NBA Summer League schedule, click here.