The 2025 NBA Summer League wrapped up last weekend, and several players stood out. Many took the next step in their development, which indicates some positive signs for rookie contract players. There are many promising players to be hopeful about after their overall performance over the past few weeks.
Post-NBA Summer League: Promising Players to Be Hopeful About
Kyle Filipowski
The Utah Jazz had several rookies play valuable minutes in the first few games of the Summer League slate. However, their sophomores stood out the most, including second-year big Kyle Filipowski. The Duke product showcased a strong offensive skill set, featuring an excellent touch around the rim and a smooth jumper. With averages of 29.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on elite efficiency, Filipowski won MVP while earning a spot on the NBA Summer League first team.
Kyle Filipowski of the Utah Jazz is the #NBA2KSummerLeague MVP!
29.3 PPG
— NBA (@NBA) July 22, 2025
Filipowski was a second-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft and showed flashes of potential last season. He averaged 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in limited minutes during his rookie campaign. Following his promising play in Summer League, Filipowski should be prepared to help strengthen Utah’s young core alongside first-round rookies Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. We should also expect him to take a second-year leap next to Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen in the frontcourt.
Ron Holland II
For the Detroit Pistons, their 2024 No. 5 overall pick Ron Holland II made three appearances and showed immense growth and promise as an offensive threat. He averaged 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 4.0 steals, establishing himself as an efficient and effective three-level scorer while shooting an impressive 46.7% from long distance. With his promising performance, Holland earned second-team honors.
The small forward has already demonstrated his defensive intensity, tenacity, and versatility in his rookie season. However, Detroit understood the task of patiently developing and molding his swing skill. In his summer play, not only was his defensive activity on display but his shot was cleaned up and his creation became a main point of focus. These are good signs for a team in need of compliments around Cade Cunningham.
Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon made it known about the work Holland has put into his development and how the organization couldn’t be more overjoyed with his progress.
Trajan Langdon tells @JaredSGreenberg and @GregAnthony50 that Ron Holland II’s ready to make a year 2 leap for the @DetroitPistons
pic.twitter.com/2dSzhqEWTo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 11, 2025
Ajay Mitchell
Coming off their championship run, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain one of the best young teams in the NBA. Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell established that presence during summer league, averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across three games. His outings indicate positive steps toward making a greater impact on the future of the roster’s deep rotation.
Mitchell played some solid minutes throughout the Thunder’s 68-win regular season, where he averaged 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 16.6 minutes per game. However, his responsibilities as a second-round rookie plummeted come playoff time. A guard rotation of Mitchell, Nikola Topic, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace off the bench may seem crowded. Still, Mitchell’s NBA-ready talent gives Oklahoma City many options on who the organization wants to complement their biggest stars in the long term.
Rayan Rupert
The Portland Trail Blazers have been busy this offseason as they look to combine young talent with veteran leadership. A 2023 prospect lost in the abundance of youth in Portland is French guard Rayan Rupert. Averaging 16.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, Rupert proved his development looks to have paid off as a former second-round project.
With the additions of veterans Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, it will be intriguing to see how Rupert learns from their presence. He can serve as a potential rotational guard as he continues to develop. His outside shot appears to have improved significantly over the offseason, as he shot an unbelievable 64.3% from three-point range on 3.5 attempts per game. Rupert will join his fellow 2023 draftees Scoot Henderson and Kris Murray as they each search for a breakout in their third season.
Kobe Brown
The Los Angeles Clippers seem to be doing the opposite of developing their young core as they continue to add veterans like Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and Brook Lopez this offseason. However, this could mean positive development for their young core. Their former 2023 first-round pick, Kobe Brown, has made little impact in his first two seasons with the Clippers and should look to finally slide into Los Angeles’ rotation for consistent minutes next season.
His potential was evident throughout his first and only Summer League game earlier this month, where he recorded 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals on elite efficiency. During the 2025 playoffs, Brown even registered a career-high of 13 points in eight minutes during Game 7 of the first round. The ongoing growth from the former Missouri wing is undoubtedly there. Head coach Ty Lue now needs to give him the chance to thrive.
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Featured image: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
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