The NBA Has a Meleek Thomas Problem

The NBA Has a Meleek Thomas Problem

Pick 34. Second round. That’s where the Cleveland Cavaliers found Meleek Thomas — and through three Summer League games in Las Vegas, he’s put up the most points by any rookie in Summer League history, passing Damian Lillard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jerryd Bayless.

28.3 points. 4.3 assists. 4.0 rebounds. 2.3 steals. 50% from the field, 45.8% from three. Thirty-three teams passed on him. This is the story of how a kid from Pittsburgh went from Lincoln Park to Overtime Elite to Arkansas to the biggest name in Vegas — and why the Cavaliers might have found a steal at pick 34.

In this video we break down Meleek Thomas’s full journey: his dominant high school career at Lincoln Park, the bold decision to leave for Overtime Elite, his freshman season next to Darius Acuff Jr. at Arkansas under John Calipari, the scouting concerns that dropped him to the second round, and the historic Summer League run that has the entire NBA paying attention.

Does Thomas crack Cleveland’s crowded backcourt rotation in year one, or does the G League call first? Let me know your take in the comments.

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