Evaluator Raises Maleek Thomas After 15.6-Point Freshman Season and 1 Week of Summer League
Updated
Updated · NBA Big Board | Rafael Barlowe · Jul 16
Evaluator Raises Maleek Thomas After 15.6-Point Freshman Season and 1 Week of Summer League
1 articles · Updated · NBA Big Board | Rafael Barlowe · Jul 16
Summary
One week in Las Vegas pushed an NBA prospect evaluator to revise several draft takes, with Cleveland rookie Maleek Thomas the clearest case.
Thomas changed that view by looking more NBA-ready than expected after entering the draft known mainly as a scorer.
At Arkansas, the freshman averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 41% from 3 on five attempts per game, numbers the evaluator says never fully translated into pre-draft confidence.
The reassessment comes after multiple Summer League games rather than a single breakout night, with the evaluator stressing the sample is still small even as it offers useful evidence on role, comfort and development.