At first, a lot of basketball fans thought that the Washington Wizards got the best player in the draft when French big man Alex Sarr went second. Turns out, NBA executives think Bub Carrington was the real steal, especially after his performance in Summer League.
Carrington emerged as a standout in the NBA Summer League with the Wizards and has swiftly made his mark since being selected 14th overall. His performance across three games showcases his prowess, ranking impressively in various key metrics.
Noteworthy among his stats is his 19-point average per game, placing him among the top scorers. Additionally, Carrington stands out for his substantial playing time, averaging 32 minutes per game, and his adeptness at three-point shooting, making 3.7 per game. His playmaking skills are evident as well, averaging six assists per game, placing him in the league’s top ten.
In a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Carrington displayed his versatility with a 20-point performance alongside four rebounds and five assists. Despite a narrow loss, his contribution was notable, underlining his potential as a solid piece for Washington to build around down the line.
Washington Wizards’ Bub Carrington, Not Alex Sarr, Voted By NBA Execs As Steal of the Draft
Although Sarr was the higher pick than Carrington, the former didn’t really made much of an impact in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the latter impressed NBA executives enough for them to vote for him as this year’s steal in the draft, as seen in an article by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo for ESPN.
Many around the league are bullish on the long-term prospects for Carrington, who turned 19 last week and whom the Wizards maneuvered into the 14th pick to select. He had a solid showing at summer league and looked very comfortable, particularly for his age, appearing to be a strong development bet for Washington.
“[Carrington] has the size, quickness and game to be an All-Star,” one Western Conference executive said. “I see some [Tyrese] Maxey in the way he plays.”
“I think he will turn out to be the best pick that Washington made in this draft,” another voter offered. (The Wizards also selected Alex Sarr at No. 2 and Kyshawn George at No. 24.)
As it stands, the Wizards backcourt rotation is in disarray with Jordan Poole as their lead shot creator. If Carrington develops quickly and surely, there’s a chance he can provide Washington with a modern guard who can score and create plays for his teammates.
While Summer League isn’t a solid indicator of success in the NBA, what Carrington has shown provided a lot of promise for Washington fans and league executives. Expect a lot of people to look out for him next season to see if he’s truly the steal of the draft.
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