5 rookies (Yang Hansen!) who look like steals during NBA 2K26 Summer League

As we near the end of NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, we have some sense of which players drafted outside the lottery may return positive value.

While top players like Cooper Flagg and other lottery picks like Kon Knueppel and Tre Johnson may have gotten the most headlines and attention, there were plenty of fascinating performances from other incoming pros that deserve attention as well.

Usually, for this type of exercise, we would look at advanced metrics to help contextualize the play. However, it is not the wisest to invest too much stock in players who performed well for catch-all numbers (via The F5):

"All-in-one metrics like Game Score and Daily RAPM Estimate (DRE) have at best a weak relationship between summer league and the regular season. These metrics attempt to summarize a player’s performance by assigning weights to different box score stats and summing them up into a single number. Both metrics reward scoring efficiency and penalize turnovers and fouls, which tend to be more common at summer league. Ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend putting too much stock in them unless of course they paint a favorable picture of your favorite player."

Instead, per Owen Phillips, it is better to look at some of the numbers that typically translate from NBA Summer League to the regular season.

Some of those stats include 3-pointers attempted, assists, blocks, total rebounds, and offensive rebounds.

1. Yang Hansen

TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers

PICK: 16

Arguably the most exciting overall player in NBA 2K26 Summer League is Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen.

Once considered the most surprising pick in the 2025 NBA Draft but quickly became one of the most anticipated prospects to watch in Las Vegas.

Yang is averaging 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes, which is the second-most among all drafted players. He has multiple blocks in all but one of his four appearances thus far.

As a playmaker, he has already had multiple games with at least five assists. Yang is averaging 5.5 assists per 36, which ranks eighth-most among drafted played who have logged at least 50 minutes.

Something else that is fairly encouraging: Yang has attempt at least one 3-pointer in each of his games played, shooting beyond the arc as many as six times during one of his appearances in the starting lineup. He has shown an eagerness to stretch the floor that will help his ability to play alongside other bigs on Portland's roster like Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III.

2. Joan Beringer

TEAM: Minnesota Timberwolves

PICK: 17

While the Timberwolves already have a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year from France on its roster, they now have another emerging French center developing in the wings.

Beringer leads all draft picks with 3.9 blocks per 36 minutes, which is incredibly exciting for his potential as a rim protector. He had six blocks in his first appearance on the court and across four games, he has blocked more shots (10) than he has missed from the field (9) on offense.

He is also averaging 4.6 offensive rebounds per 36, which ranks second-most among drafted players who have logged at least 50 minutes.

Beringer needs to foul less often, recording seven (!) in each of his last two appearances on the court. But that is something that will come with time.

Maybe he is not reinventing the wheel here but with a 7'4.50'' wingspan and 9'3.00'' standing reach, there is an obvious value he can return for Minnesota.

3. Nique Clifford

TEAM: Sacramento Kings

PICK: 24

Before spending too much time gawking over his stat line, we should mention that former Colorado State star Nique Clifford is already 23 years old. He was born the exact same day as Jalen Green, who is already heading into his fifth season in the NBA.

So the development curve should look different for Clifford than it does for other rookies. However, that does not make his accomplishments any less productive.

Catch-all metrics are not the best evaluation tool for NBA Summer League. But it is still worth noting that Clifford (20.5) leads all drafted players in Game Score. He was also named the best rookie in Las Vegas by ESPN's Kevin Pelton.

Clifford is averaging 6.7 assists per 36 minutes, which ranks second-most among drafted players who have logged at least 50 minutes. His assist rate was one of the highest among all participants in Vegas.

He has scored at leas 17 points in each of his four games, nearing recording a triple-double (19-7-9) during a win against the Cavaliers.

4. Liam McNeeley

TEAM: Charlotte Hornets

PICK: 29

One surprisingly impressive performance during NBA 2K26 Summer League came from Liam McNeeley, who trailed only Clifford in Game Score (19.2) among rookies who logged at least 50 minutes.

The former UConn forward is averaging 8.7 attempts on 3-pointers per 36 minutes, which ranks fifth-most among drafted players with at least 50 minutes played.

McNeeley is also cleaning the glass very well for his position, averaging 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. That ranks sixth-most among drafted players who have logged at least 50 minutes.

There were also some impressive passes, including this alley-oop connection with Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Charlotte may have found great value at the end of the first round with this Big East Freshman of the Year and former McDonald's All-American.

5. Brooks Barnhizer

TEAM: Oklahoma City Thunder

PICK: 44

Oklahoma City may not have a lot of playing time to offer Brooks Barnhizer next season, especially considering he will begin his professional career on a two-way contract.

But it is impossible to talk about the top rookies at NBA 2K26 Summer League without mentioning Barnhizer, who stuffed the stat sheet every time he stepped on the court.

Once again, it is not a good idea to overreact to catch-all metrics during NBA Summer League.

Barnhizer, however, leads all drafted players who have logged at least 50 minutes in Daily RAPM Estimate.

The former Northwestern standout had multiple games with at least 17 points, also recording two games with at least six (!) or more steals. He managed to do it all without fouling or turning the ball over very often, either, which is helpful.

There was plenty to like about his rebounding, too, and his overall productivity should translate well at the next level.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 rookies (Yang Hansen!) who look like steals during NBA 2K26 Summer League