Ranking the Top 5 Performers of the Orlando Summer League
Apr 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope(5) and guard
Brandon Jennings(7) talk against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Position: SG
Age: 21
Stats: 24.0 PPG, .404 FG%, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG
Caldwell-Pope was outstanding this week, leading the summer league in scoring by a wide margin. He was extremely aggressive with 89 field goal attempts (most in the league) and 7.4 RPG from the SG position. Caldwell-Pope gives us yet another glimpse of something special but the question remains: Is KCP’s recent success just another flash in the pan or is he ready to get his shine on?
After a solid summer league performance last year, KCP entered his rookie season with some serious hype swirling among motor city residents. Caldwell-Pope had a rocky rookie campaign to put it nicely, shooting under 40 percent from the field and exhibiting a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 9.46 — well below the league average of 15. The Pistons front-office is hoping KCP’s new-found aggression and confidence is evidence of things to come for this upcoming season.