Andrew Wiggins the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 Draft officially kicked off his NBA career by scoring a game-high 18 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 70-68 past No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Fans, scouts and media packed the Cox Pavillion to get a glimpse of the much anticipated match-up between the two top picks of the Draft, on a day where Cleveland dominate the headlines as Lebron James announced he would be returning to city that drafted him first overall in 2003.
Andrew Wiggins looking to establish is own legacy didn’t disappoint in his summer league debut finishing with a game-high 18 points in 31 minutes of floor-time. The Canadian who has been compared to LeBron through his recruiting processed showed flashes of brilliance on both ends throwing down two massive dunks and standing tall on the defensive end. Wiggins shot 7-of-18 from the floor but struggled with his outside shot going only 1-for-8 from behind the arc, he added four rebounds in his first non official NBA victory.
“He’s got so much potential,” said Cleveland Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert during the fourth quarter. “[Our scouts] think the sky is the limit for him. He’s still a teenager. He’s a great kid and he’s working hard. He wants it badly.”
No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker also had a strong performance finishing with a near double-double of Jabari Parker 17 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort. Parker displayed his smooth looking game by finishing through contact and several acrobatic takes to the rim.
Anthony Bennett the top pick in the 2013 draft also made his summer league debut after a poor rookie season. Bennett who used to the off-season to get back into ideal playing shape, looked more comfortable of the floor and contributed with 15 points and seven rebounds. The Brampton ontario native ran the floor hard and got himself in good scoring positions. Bennett defense still looked a bit shaky as he struggled to contain the Bucks 6’11 forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, racking up eight personal fouls in 30 minutes.
