Blazers 2023 NBA Summer League: Roster, schedule, Scoot vs. Wemby

The future franchise backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe will hit the floor for the first time as the Portland Trail Blazers take part in the NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas from July 7-17.

Amid all the Damian Lillard drama and uncertainty, PDX fans can take a break and watch the team’s future stars, along with a handful of other promising prospects and players trying to earn their shot at an NBA roster spot.

Oh, and by the way – Scoot and Victor Wembanyama are scheduled to play on July 9 as the Blazers face the San Antonio Spurs.

Here’s everything you need to know about Portland’s trek to Vegas.

Trail Blazers 2023 NBA Summer League roster

Scoot Henderson, G, G League Ignite

There’s not a lot to say about Scoot at this point. He was the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and in most years, may have gone No. 1 overall. He’s an explosive, athletic, score-first point guard with developing playmaking skills – aka the ideal summer league player. It’s unclear how many games Henderson will play in Vegas, as he could be a starter for the real team on opening night.

Shaedon Sharpe, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Copy-paste Scoot’s description here. The idea of these two athletes on an open floor together in an exhibition game should have all basketball fans salivating, not just Blazers fans. This pair is a highlight (or 70) waiting to happen as long as they play, although Sharpe may see even less summer league action than Scoot as an already established NBA player.

Keon Johnson, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Johnson should get some legitimate run in Vegas. A 6-foot-3 combo guard who showed potential as a one-and-done coming out of Tennessee, Johnson is now 21 years old and has played two full seasons in the NBA. He’s a more experienced prospect who should be able to show out against younger competition in Las Vegas.

Kris Murray, F, Iowa

Kris’ brother Keegan won Summer League MVP last year, and the No. 23 pick in the 2023 draft has the level of college experience and NBA-ready game to make a run at the same award this year.

Rayan Rupert, F, New Zealand Breakers

Rupert’s performance in Vegas could go either way. He’s physically talented enough to have success in this kind of environment, but he also lacks any sort of polished offensive game, which could hold him back in a league that values scoring. Rupert should still show flashes of his massive defensive potential, regardless.

John Butler Jr., F, Florida State

Butler is poised to be a potential breakout star of summer league. A slim 7-footer who’s been working at small forward this offseason, his versatility, size, and developing skill set could see him prove why he’s a prospect worth developing with Portland’s new G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.

Jeenathan Williams, G/F, Buffalo

Williams was added to the Blazers’ roster at the end of last season. If he plays well in Vegas, he might be another candidate to play for the Remix next year.

Jabari Walker, F, Colorado

Portland took a flier on Walker late in the second round of the 2022 draft. He scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds and hit 3 of his 5 three-pointers in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 4. Walker is another candidate to possibly break out in Vegas and join the Remix this year.

Ibou Badji, C, FC Barcelona

Badji is an intriguing center prospect as a rim-deterrent who didn’t get a chance to play much last season after undergoing surgery for a knee injury. Summer league might not be the place for Badji to make a significant impact, but it’s certainly worth watching him develop in the G League next year, especially considering the Blazers need a player of his exact archetype.

Justin Manaya, F, Providence

Manaya was another late-season addition to Portland’s roster last year. The 6-foot-7 forward scored more than 20 points per game and played more than 35 minutes a night with the Mexico City Capitanes last season in the G League.

Malachi Smith, G, Gonzaga

Smith was the Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2021-22 before transferring and playing a significant role off the bench with the Zags last year. He averaged 8.7 points and shot 50 percent from three on 2.4 attempts per game.

Jaizec Lottie, G, Monthey

Lottie is likely nothing more than summer league depth for Portland, but strange things can happen in Vegas.

Duop Reath, C, Al Riyadi

Reath is a rarity as a 27-year-old getting a taste of the summer league. He most recently played in the Chinese Basketball Association where he averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for Quingdao.

Michael Devoe, G, Ontario Clippers

Devoe is a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 6.5 points a game for the G League’s Ontario Clippers last season in about 20 minutes per night. He appeared in 29 games, starting 12.

Antoine Davis, G, Detroit Mercy

Davis could become a surprise summer league star as a pure scorer. He nearly broke Pete Maravich’s record as the NCAA Men’s all-time leading scorer and averaged 28.2 ppg last season. He shot a wild 41.2 percent from three on more than 11 attempts.

Trail Blazers 2023 NBA Summer League schedule

• Friday, July 7 vs. Houston Rockets (4 p.m. PT, ESPN). Highlight of the night: Henderson vs. No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson
• Sunday, July 9 vs. San Antonio Spurs (5 p.m. PT, ESPN 2). Highlight of the night:
  

  Scoot Henderson vs. Victor Wembanyama!!!

• Tuesday, July 11 vs. Charlotte Hornets (5:30 p.m. PT, NBA TV). Highlight of the night: Scoot vs. No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller
• Thursday, July 13 vs. Orlando Magic (6 p.m. PT, ESPN 2)
• Depending on the standings after the July 14 slate of games, the Blazers could play in the summer league playoffs on July 15 and 16 with the NBA 2K24 Summer League championship scheduled for Monday, July 17.