CBS Sports Names Brayden Burries 2026 Summer League MVP After 23.5-Point Run

Q: Beyond the top picks, which Summer League standout proved they are the biggest steal of the 2026 NBA draft?

Brayden Burries looks like the strongest answer. The Bucks guard was the No. 10 pick, outside the headline-making top tier, yet he was the most complete player in Las Vegas. He won Summer League MVP after averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in four games, while keeping turnovers to just 0.8 per game. He also added 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks, showing impact on both ends rather than just putting up scoring numbers. What separates Burries from other standouts is how translatable his game looked. Scouts highlighted his poise as a high-usage ball handler, his veteran-like control, and his ability to score at all three levels without wasting possessions. In a setting where raw stats can be misleading, that combination of efficiency, decision-making and defensive activity is especially meaningful. There are other credible “steal” candidates. Meleek Thomas, taken No. 34 by Cleveland, led all scorers at 27.3 points per game and clearly outperformed his draft slot. Allen Graves, selected No. 19 by Toronto, also made a strong case with efficient two-way play and zero-turnover flashes. Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick, boosted his stock further by helping Golden State win the title and starring in the final. Still, Burries has the best overall case. He was not just productive for a lower-than-expected draft slot; he was the event’s best player, and he already looks like a Day 1 building block for Milwaukee’s post-Giannis rebuild.

Q: With superstars already in place, how will the Wizards develop top pick AJ Dybantsa without stunting his growth?

The Wizards’ best path is to make AJ Dybantsa a major rotation piece immediately, but not force him to be the offense from day one. The presence of Trae Young and Anthony Davis should reduce pressure, not reduce opportunity. Summer League showed why Washington can do this. Dybantsa averaged 25 points in two games, got to the line repeatedly and flashed more defensive activity than expected, even if his 3-point shooting remains a concern. That profile fits next to Young: Dybantsa can score off the catch, attack tilted defenses, run in transition and grow as a secondary creator instead of carrying every possession. Washington’s coaching setup matters here. Brian Keefe is regarded as a development-minded coach, and Dybantsa has already pointed to the value of learning from veterans such as Young and Davis. The Wizards are expected to stress his two-way growth, especially on-ball defense, full-court effort, decision-making, ballhandling and perimeter shooting. Those are the areas most likely to determine whether he becomes a star rather than just a scorer. The key risk is roster congestion. Washington’s frontcourt is crowded with Davis, Alex Sarr, Deandre Ayton and other young bigs, so the Wizards must keep Dybantsa on the wing, not bury him in a cramped frontcourt role. If they start him at small forward, give him real usage, and let him develop on and off the ball, the stars around him can accelerate his growth rather than stunt it.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jul 20

Brayden Burries capped Las Vegas summer league by earning CBS Sports' MVP nod after averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists across four games for Milwaukee.
The No. 10 pick also made the All-League first team, with CBS citing his scoring, playmaking, defense and low-turnover efficiency as signs he can anchor the Bucks' post-Giannis rebuild.
Meleek Thomas joined Burries on the first team after averaging 27.3 points and shooting 43.8% from 3, alongside Caleb Wilson, Khaman Maluach and Cameron Boozer.
The second team featured Egor Demin, Allen Graves, Darryn Peterson, Yaxel Lendeborg and AJ Dybantsa, whose 50 points in two games still stood out despite an early shutdown.
The honors closed an 11-day event that ended with Golden State beating Memphis in the title game and highlighted the depth of a highly touted 2026 rookie class.