Kansas basketball: Jalen Wilson named to NBA All-Summer League Second Team

Former Kansas basketball star Jalen Wilson is being recognized for his stellar play during his first bit of NBA action this summer.

After averaging 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in five games for the Brooklyn Nets, Wilson was named to the NBA All-Summer League Second Team. He finished second among all Nets Summer League players in scoring and was first in rebounding. He also finished second in minutes per game (30).

He and Emoni Bates were the only rookies among the six players voted to the All-Summer League Second Team.

Of course, Wilson is no stranger to postseason accolades.

In his final season at KU, Wilson was named the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year, First Team All-Big 12, and First Team All-American before being drafted by the Nets in the second round (No. 51 overall) of this year’s NBA Draft.

That college success doesn’t always transfer over to the NBA for rookies, but early on it appears to for Wilson – which should be welcome news to his head coach (and fellow former Jayhawk) Jacque Vaughn.

The Nets drafted two players higher than Wilson in the first round of this year’s draft in Noah Clowney (Alabama) at pick No. 21 and Dariq Whitehead (Duke) at pick No. 22.

Whitehead didn’t play in the Summer League due to injury, but Wilson easily outperformed Clowney and that should bode well for his chances to be on the roster when the NBA regular season starts later this year.

In a show of kindness, Wilson was also able to raise more than $9,000 for local YMCAs in Brooklyn thanks to his partnership with sporting goods brand Wilson. The two donated $100 for every point Wilson scored and $50 for every assist.

Let’s hope the good karma continues for this young rookie as he looks to make even more of an impact for the Nets this upcoming season.