How Purdue's Former Stars Left Fans Talking After Summer League

Former Purdue players showcased their skills and potential in the NBA Summer League, as they navigated both highlights and challenges on the court.

The NBA Summer League run is over for four former Purdue players, and each one left behind a different kind of snapshot from the two-week event.

Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff and Fletcher Loyer all appeared in five games for their teams in Las Vegas. The numbers tell the story of players filling different roles, with Smith handling the ball, Loyer providing scoring punch off the bench, Cluff making his presence felt inside, and Kaufman-Renn flashing efficiency before a brief injury setback.

Smith started all five games for the Pacers and finished with per-game averages of 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2.8 turnovers in 26.8 minutes. His shooting line was rough - 26.5% from the field, 29.4% from 3-point range and 78% at the line - but his passing and activity on the boards and in the lanes stood out.

Loyer came off the bench in all five games for the Clippers and averaged 7.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.6 turnovers in 13.3 minutes. He shot 43.5% from the field, 30.8% from deep and 100% on free throws. He showed some flashes, though the report notes he needed to be a more dependable 3-point option.

Cluff spent his Summer League time with the Rockets and also worked from the bench. He posted 4.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, 0.4 assists, 0.8 turnovers and 0.4 steals in 18.4 minutes per game, while shooting 46.7% overall, 0% from 3 and 60% from the foul line. His work on the glass and on defense helped him stand out, and he looked quicker and more explosive in Las Vegas, enough to possibly improve his stock.

Kaufman-Renn averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 turnovers in 12.7 minutes, shooting 52.6% from the field, 25% from 3 and 100% from the line. He showed scoring touch and stayed active defensively, though he could have done more on the boards. His run was also interrupted when he was limited to just one minute in one game after taking an elbow to the mouth.

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