NBA Summer League action continued on Sunday from Las Vegas. Three former Iowa basketball players were in action when the Oklahoma City Thunder hit the court.
The Thunder lost to the Warriors 104-79, falling to 0-2 in Summer League play. Despite the final result, there were some good performances from former Hawkeyes scattered throughout. With just a few games left in the Summer League, the pressure is on for guys on the fringe to earn a roster spot.
Did Iowa’s trio of players help their cause on Sunday? Or did more question marks arise about their future in Oklahoma City? Here’s a look at how these former Hawks performed on Sunday.
Bennett Stirtz
Stats: 13 points, 2 assists, 5-10 FG, 1-4 3PT
Stirtz led all Thunder players in scoring after dropping an efficient 13 points. He also played a team-high 26 minutes, showing the coaching staff’s confidence in him. He had no turnovers in those minutes, which may be the most important stat of the game.
Of all the former Hawkeyes on the Thunder’s Summer League roster, Stirtz’s future seems to be the most clear. He’s going to play a role off the bench as a rookie. This game wasn’t flashy, but it showcased what he’ll bring to the table next season. This was a solid game for Stirtz.
Josh Dix
Stats: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2-7 FG, 1-3 3PT
Dix got the start alongside Stirtz, but never got into a rhythm on Sunday. He played 18 minutes and struggled to find his shot. The most concerning part of his game was the lack of impact elsewhere on the stat sheet. When Dix is at his best, he’s impacting the game on multiple levels. That didn’t happen on Sunday.
Unlike Stirtz, Dix’s NBA future is much more uncertain. He signed a one-year, two-way contract after going undrafted, so he’ll most likely spend much of his time in the G-League. Strong performances there could open new doors for him next offseason.
Payton Sandfort
Stats: 11 points, 5-9 FG, 1-4 3PT
Sandfort played 18 minutes off the bench and did what he does best: score. His 11 points were the second-most on the team, right behind Stirtz’s 13. While his three-point shot didn’t fall, he was able to find the bottom of the bucket from inside the arc on Sunday.
Sandfort has the most to prove out of this trio, with no current NBA deal beyond the Summer League as of now. Fans have seen the highs and lows of his game recently, and that inconsistency could cost him down the road. Sandfort needs a few more games like this one to earn a two-way contract with an NBA franchise.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: How former Iowa basketball stars played in Sunday’s NBA Summer League action
Reporting by Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
