Cissoko, Dieng and Rupert showed up

After 74 games played since July 7, we know the poster for the final of the Summer League in Las Vegas, this competition which allows drafted players, second-year players and possible future recruits to play. It will oppose Isaiah Mobley’s Cleveland Cavaliers (drafted last year and author of 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the semi-final victory against Brooklyn) against Nate Hinton’s Houston Rockets (undrafted in 2020 but who played 22 games with Dallas and Indiana, and scored 27 points in the semi-final win over Utah).

For the rest, Sunday was devoted to the “losers’ play-off” matches, concerning the teams that did not finish in the Top 4 of the “regular season”. And the French were numerous on the floor. The match won 98-94 by San Antonio over Oklahoma City notably saw Sidy Cissoko (the 19-year-old point guard drafted 44th by the Spurs last month) scored 10 points (3/5 on shots), grabbed 8 rebounds and delivered 6 assists, and the 20-year-old winger Ousmane Dieng (drafted last year by the Thunder) score 8 points (3/11 on shots including 0/7 at 3pts), take 4 rebounds and deliver 6 assists. The 19-year-old fullback Rayan Rupertdrafted in 43rd position by Portland this summer, played 25 minutes during the 104-78 loss against Miami and scored 6 points (3/8 on shots) and grabbed 3 rebounds.

Three French on the bench

The almost 22-year-old full-back Malcolm Cazalon, undrafted this year, who played in Serbia last season at Mega Basket, did not play his last game with Detroit. Ditto for the 21-year-old pivot Moussa Diabatedrafted last year by the Clippers, who did not play in the 103-104 loss to the Lakers, and for the 24-year-old strong winger Yves Pons, who played twelve games with Memphis in 2021-22, before joining ASVEL, and who wore the Atlanta jersey during this Summer League. Did Cazalon and Pons convince all the same to be offered a contract? Answer in the next few weeks…