In the vibrant basketball venues of California, the California Classic has carved out a special niche in the NBA's summer landscape. Spanning four days across Sacramento's Golden 1 Center and San Francisco's Chase Center, the event brings together promising rookies and established veterans alike, allowing fans to get a glimpse of future stars and seasoned professionals tuning up for the regular season.
Stephon Castle Shines
One such future star who captured the spotlight is Stephon Castle, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who represented the San Antonio Spurs at the event. Displaying a well-rounded game, Castle logged an impressive 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in his final summer league game. His readiness for the NBA was evident, and Castle himself exuded confidence, stating, "I'm comfortable really anywhere out on the court. I will say I'm probably most comfortable on the ball, but if I play off the ball, I still feel 100% comfortable there. Just being with the kinda team that we have, I feel like we will have five guys that can dribble, pass, and shoot. The positions are out of the equation a little bit."
Castle’s performance has set the stage for him as he prepares for the main Summer League event in Las Vegas, where the level of competition will only increase. The Spurs, bolstered by the addition of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, will certainly be keen to see how their young star continues to develop.
Challenges and Highlights
Not all young talents had a smooth ride, however. Tidjane Salaün, the Hornets' No. 6 pick, was notably absent from the event due to a minor laceration near his knee. His absence likely impacted the Hornets' performance, though the injury is expected to be a short-term issue.
Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings made waves by scoring 30 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Over the previous season, Ellis had a shooting accuracy of 41.7% on 3-pointers, a statistic that stands him in good stead as he continues to hone his skills.
Competitive Spirit in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Chase Center played host to a second Kings summer league team, along with teams from the Warriors, Heat, and Lakers. In a thrilling final game at Chase Center, the Warriors edged out Sacramento 91-90, securing the inaugural "Mitch Richmond Trophy" in a closely contested Battle of NorCal Summer League game.
Native son Bronny James also took to the court for the Lakers, though his performance was marred by knee swelling that caused him to miss the game against the Warriors. In his time on the floor against Miami, Bronny managed to contribute three points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Over the event, he accumulated seven rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals, showcasing his potential if he can stay healthy.
Meanwhile, Knecht, another player to watch, shot 13-of-43 (30.2%) from the floor and 4-of-15 (26.7%) from beyond the arc over the event, but showed flashes of brilliance by scoring 20 points in the game against the Heat. His shooting efficiency may not have been at its best, but his scoring ability certainly stands out.
Looking Forward
The California Classic, now in its sixth year, continues to solidify its place as an essential part of the NBA offseason. It provides a competitive platform for both rookies and veterans to showcase their skills and for teams to evaluate talent ahead of the regular season. With the close finishes and standout performances this year, fans are left eagerly anticipating what the main Summer League in Las Vegas will bring.