Wizard’s Summer League Standouts: D.C.’s Young Core Showcased Themselves In Vegas
With Summer League action coming to a close, there were several standout rookies across the league. Kon Knueppel took home Summer League Finals MVP honors after scoring 21 points in the championship game, averaging over 15 points per game on strong efficiency throughout the tournament. Kyle Filipowski also earned Summer League MVP honors overall, while several other young players made strong impressions. Among them were standout performances from Wizards rookies and sophomores. Alex Sarr set a Summer League record with eight blocks in a single game, Tre Johnson’s scoring and playmaking were on full display despite only playing in two games, and Jamir Watkins tied the Summer League record for steals in a game with eight. With performances like these, the question becomes: can we expect this level of output to continue from Washington’s young core?
Alex Sarr, who appeared in two of Washington’s five Summer League games, showed flashes of promise. His eight-block performance against the Nets was a clear highlight and a reminder of his defensive potential. However, there were also stretches where his overall production dipped, and some concerning signs emerged. While his defensive impact stood out, his shooting remained inconsistent—he shot just 20% from three and 48% overall. Still, that marks a notable improvement from last year’s Summer League stint. On the downside, he struggled with ball security, averaging 6.5 turnovers per 48 minutes, a sign that pressure and decision-making remain areas for growth.
While Sarr’s struggles were evident, the same can’t be said for Tre Johnson. Posting an offensive efficiency rating of 118 and shooting 45.5% from three-point range, the rookie and sixth overall pick quickly showed both Washington fans and the rest of the league what he’s capable of offensively. That said, when he wasn’t scoring, his impact waned—he tallied more turnovers than assists across his two games. Still, the talent is clear and was on full display whenever the ball was in his hands.
Lastly, Jamir Watkins, whom the Wizards acquired in a trade with the Jazz, posted steal numbers that were off the charts. Tying the Summer League record with eight steals in a game against the 76ers, the rookie delivered a breakout performance and emerged as an unexpected—but welcome—gem for Washington. He also led the entire Summer League in total steals, showcasing his defensive instincts and hustle. Offensively, however, he struggled with inefficient shooting and a below-average offensive rating, leaving room for improvement on that end of the floor.
Overall, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Washington’s young core. With the support of newly acquired veterans and a coaching staff that has been steadily building continuity over the past few years, the foundation is in place for meaningful development. The player-first culture in Washington should only accelerate that growth. With time and dedication, the Wizards could emerge from the offseason as a team ready to surprise people across the league.
