Greatest Scoring Performances in NBA Summer League History

The NBA Summer League, held annually in Las Vegas, has served as a crucial platform for players to launch their careers. Since its inception in 2004 with just six teams, the tournament officially became the NBA Summer League in 2007, eventually including all 30 NBA teams.

The NBA Summer League offers rookies their first taste of NBA action while providing returning players and free agents with another opportunity to impress team executives. While some players use the tournament to avoid early injuries, others seize the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Here are six players who made their mark, delivering exceptional scoring performances that earned them a place in the NBA Summer League record books.

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Anthony Morrow's Record-Setting Performance

Anthony Morrow, who went undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2008, signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. After an impressive rookie season, Morrow returned to the NBA Summer League the following year. In the Warriors' final game against the New Orleans Hornets, Morrow scored an astounding 47 points, shooting 18-for-26 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. His jump shots continuously pierced the Hornets' defense, rendering them defenseless against his relentless scoring. Although Morrow never surpassed this performance in his official 
NBA career, his 47-point game remains a Summer League highlight. Morrow enjoyed a nine-year NBA career, concluding with the Chicago Bulls in 2017.

Marcus Banks and the Inaugural NBA Summer League

Marcus Banks, part of the legendary 2003 draft class, was selected 13th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics. Despite playing for three teams in his first four seasons, Banks struggled to make a lasting impression. However, during the inaugural NBA Summer League in 2007, Banks, playing for the Phoenix Suns, delivered a historic 42-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite being a defense-first player, Banks demonstrated his scoring prowess, establishing a single-game scoring record later tied by Von Wafer. Banks played eight seasons in the NBA, with his final game for the Toronto Raptors in 2010, before pursuing overseas stints and a brief tenure in the Big3.

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Von Wafer's Explosive Entrance

Drafted by the L.A. Lakers in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft, Von Wafer's early career was marked by limited playing time. Determined to establish himself, Wafer entered the 2007 NBA Summer League with the Denver Nuggets. In a remarkable display, Wafer scored 42 points in a game against the New York Knicks, averaging 36.3 points per game across five games. His performance earned him a place on the All-League team, though he narrowly missed out on the MVP award to Nate Robinson. Wafer's most successful NBA season came with the Houston Rockets in 2008-09, and he continued his career overseas after leaving the NBA in 2012.

Anthony Randolph's Dominance

The 2009 Warriors NBA Summer League team featured Anthony Morrow, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Randolph. Drafted 14th overall in 2008, Randolph had a decent rookie year but truly shone in the Summer League. His standout performance came two days before Morrow's 47-point game, when Randolph scored 42 points against the Chicago Bulls, tying the NBA Summer League record. Randolph's impressive statistics included averaging 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game. Despite his Summer League success, Randolph played six years in the NBA before continuing his career overseas, concluding with Real Madrid in 2023.

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Furkan Korkmaz's Three-Point Showcase

After playing professionally in Turkey, Furkan Korkmaz began his NBA journey with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017. Following a season with limited playing time, Korkmaz returned to the NBA Summer League in 2018. In the 76ers' opening game against the Boston Celtics, Korkmaz delivered a remarkable 40-point performance, shooting 8-for-14 from three-point range. Despite the team's loss, Korkmaz's display highlighted his potential, solidifying his place in NBA Summer League history.

Marcus Sasser's Redemption

Marcus Sasser faced a challenging start to his Detroit Pistons career before turning the tide with a 40-point game in the 2023 NBA Summer League. Drafted 25th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Sasser struggled initially but exploded in the Pistons' final game against the Indiana Pacers. Scoring 16-for-25 from the field and 5-for-9 from three-point range, Sasser's performance showcased his scoring and defensive capabilities. He continued to impress during the 2023-24 NBA season, demonstrating his potential as a complete player.

These exceptional performances underscore the NBA Summer League's role in providing a stage for players to demonstrate their talents and make a lasting impact in the basketball world.

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