Rupert shows up with Portland

The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas continues until Monday, and even if Victor Wembanyama has left Nevada to take a well-deserved vacation, other French people continue the competition in order to show their staff that it will be necessary to count on them next season, or to convince the managers to offer them a contract. Drafted 43rd by Portland after playing a season in Australia, 19-year-old fullback Rayan Rupert has signed a guaranteed two-year contract with Portland. And he was entitled to 31 minutes of playing time this Thursday with Blazers, during the 88-71 victory over Orlando. The little brother of Iliana and son of Thierry was not necessarily successful in shooting (4 points to 1 out of 7 in shots including 0 out of 2 to 3 points), but he compensated on the rebound by capturing 12 balls. He also delivered 3 assists and managed a counter and an interception.

Besson still on the bench

The 24-year-old strong winger Yves Pons remains on a good season with ASVEL, but he plays the Summer League under the jersey of Atlanta, whom he hopes to convince to give him a chance in the NBA, him who played twelve games for Memphis in 2021-22. The native of Haiti played eight minutes in the Hawks’ victory against Philadelphia (99-98) and scored two points (1/2 on shots including 0/1 at 3pts) and took two rebounds. Finally, the third Frenchman who could have played, Hugo Besson, remained on the bench for Milwaukee (beaten 91-2 by Miami), on the coach’s decision. The 22-year-old point guard, drafted last summer by Indiana (who immediately sent him to the Bucks) in 58th position before spending the season at Boulogne-Levallois, has still not played since the start of the Summer. League. There is therefore a good chance that we will see him again in Europe next season… Cleveland and Houston, who have won their four games, have qualified for the Final Four of this Summer League. The other two teams will be known at the end of the last day on Friday.