The second annual Fall Invitational that includes G League Ignite and a world staff — this time the Perth Wildcats (a yr after that includes Mets 92 and No. 1 decide Victor Wembanyama) — concluded Friday after a two-games-in-three-days exhibition collection, and we’re no nearer to crowning a frontrunner for the No. 1 decide within the 2024 NBA Draft than we had been days in the past. Every of the staff’s stars shined shiny in their very own methods and in several settings, with Alexandre Sarr of Perth exhibiting flashes of stardom and Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis of G League Ignite additionally proving their potential as seemingly top-five picks.
The groups cut up the two-game collection 1-1, with G League Ignite taking the primary recreation, 124-105, adopted by a Perth win Friday, 127-112. And in every of the video games, the celebs of their respective groups led the best way. In recreation primary it was Holland — one of many few candidates to go No. 1 in 2024 — who led G League Ignite with 23 factors, 5 rebounds and three steals in simply 28 minutes of motion. Buzelis added 16 factors on 13 photographs to go along with 5 boards and a pair of blocks.
In recreation quantity two it was Bryce Cotton who led the best way for Perth with 40 factors adopted by 26 from Sarr in a team-leading +23 plus/minus coming off the bench. Sarr completed 10-of-14 capturing and had 10 rebounds, three assists and a second consecutive recreation of six swatted photographs in an all-around exhibiting, serving to overcome a monstrous 33-point explosion from Holland on the opposite aspect.
Here’s a recap of the exhibition collection together with just a few takeaways of what we discovered over the few days of motion in Vegas.
Sport 1: G League Ignite 124, Perth 105
Key stats
G League IgniteÂ
- Ron Holland: 23 factors, 5 rebounds
- Matas Buzelis: 16 factors, two blocks, 5 rebounds
- Izan Almansa: 14 factors, eight rebounds, three steals
- Tyler Smith: 15 factors, 4 steals, two blocks
Perth Wildcats
- Alexandre Sarr: 17 factors, six blocks, seven rebounds
- Jordan Usher: 22 factors, six rebounds
Sport 2: Perth 127, G League Ignite 112
Key stats
G League Ignite
- Ron Holland: 33 factors, six rebounds, 5 steals
- Matas Buzelis: 17 factors, 4 rebounds
- Izan Almansa: 13 factors, 4 rebounds, three blocks
- Tyler Smith: Seven factors, 5 blocks, six rebounds
Perth Wildcats
- Jordan Usher: 24 factors, three assists
- Alexandre Sarr: 26 factors, 10 rebounds, three assists, six blocks
Takeaways
1. Sarr’s star brightens dramatically
Getting into the week, all eyes had been on G League Ignite teammates Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland as every seemed to doubtlessly solidify themselves because the No. 1 participant within the 2024 class. And whereas we might have gotten some readability on that subject (extra beneath), it was clear to me this week that neither was the most important story to come back out of Vegas. Former Extra time Elite prospect Alexandre Sarr, taking part in within the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program this yr with Perth, burst onto the scene with two huge video games for the Wildcats, averaging 21.5 factors and 6 blocks per recreation in two outings vs. G League Ignite. Sarr’s size and fluidity have lengthy stood out as his most promising attributes, however his capacity this week to transform that into manufacturing — each as a shot-blocker and as a finisher from in and out — actually stood out. He not solely performed with physicality and confidence on the within, however his stroke seemed good extending past the 3-point line in addition, showcasing actual stretch-big potential.
2. Holland has No. 1 decide potential
Over the summer season, Kentucky’s Justin Edwards for my cash seemed like he was greatest positioned to doubtlessly seize the steering wheel and drive into frontrunner standing as No. 1 on this unsure 2024 class. However Holland this week completely seemed the a part of a No. 1 decide primed to emerge as the very best in school. He capped his huge week with a 33-point recreation Friday and had some good flashes as a creator off the dribble and finisher to go together with his explosive, quick-twitch athleticism.
Holland led all scorers within the first recreation and had the second-most within the second to mix for 56 on the week. The previous Texas signee is primed to emerge as probably the most thrilling long-term expertise on a stacked G League Ignite staff this season and has proven immense progress and growth already as an offensive weapon.
3. Buzelis beaming with upside
It is unattainable to be dissatisfied in Buzelis after he turned in 33 mixed factors and three blocks within the pair of exhibitions this week vs. Perth. He wasn’t the principle attraction this week, simply given how nicely Holland and Sarr performed, however he nonetheless seemed each bit the a part of a future lottery decide, exhibiting exercise on protection and utilizing his size to make performs as a scorer and playmaker when given the rock. His bodily instruments for a jumbo wing are lots intriguing and we noticed much more of that on show this week with some particular defensive sequences and a few thrilling flashes on offense. Few gamers have the motion and talent he has at 6-foot-10 to create with the ball in his arms, and his various talent set on each ends ought to hold him within the combine as a possible top-10 expertise within the 2024 class all yr.