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How did Thunder players perform in 2025 NBA Summer League? Grading Nikola Topić, others
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- How did Thunder players perform in 2025 NBA Summer League? Grading Nikola Topić, others
The OKC Thunder completed its NBA Summer League run Saturday.
OKC reached the Las Vegas Summer League semifinals, where it suffered a 109-80 loss to Charlotte . The Thunder finished with an overall record of 5-3 throughout its time in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
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Thomas Sorber , OKC's 15th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft , didn't suit up since he's still recovering from a turf toe injury. But players such as Nikola Topić and Brooks Barnhizer made their debuts, and sophomores such as Ajay Mitchell and Branden Carlson also saw the floor.
Here are grades for OKC's top Summer League players:
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More: Thunder exits NBA Summer League with 'a lot of positives' after semifinal loss vs Hornets
OKC Thunder grades for NBA Summer League
Brooks Barnhizer : A
It only took eight Summer League games for Barnhizer to become a fan favorite.
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After getting selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2025 draft , the 23-year-old forward stuffed the stat sheet with the Thunder. He averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals on 47.7% shooting from the field (25% from deep).
Barnhizer is a physical player who defends multiple positions, battles on the boards and gets his buckets within the flow of the offense in an Alex-Caruso-like fashion. If he can become a serviceable 3-point shooter, he could stick around in the league as a valuable glue guy.
More: Thunder rookie Brooks Barnhizer 'grateful' to play for ex-teammate in NBA Summer League
Branden Carlson : A
After missing OKC's first five Summer League games due to a sprained ankle, Carlson appeared in three games and showed plenty of promise.
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The 26-year-old center averaged 11.7 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists. He also shot 56.7% from the field and 50% from deep.
Carlson showed some limitations as a shot creator, but that isn't a huge concern entering next season. He'll mostly be asked to catch and shoot as a stretch five, and he did that with great success during his shortened Summer League run.
Jazian Gortman : B
Jazian Gortman didn't get selected in the 2023 draft, and he has played for three G League teams since then. But he had his moments with OKC this summer.
The 22-year-old guard averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 assists and two rebounds through eight games. He shot 46.9% from the field and 25% from deep.
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Gortman showed an ability to create for himself and knock down difficult shots, mostly from the midrange or around the rim. But he was also prone to turnovers, and his 3-point shooting remains a work in progress.
Malevy Leons : B+
Malevy Leons delivered solid all-around production last season with the Thunder's G League affiliate, the OKC Blue, and he continued to do so this summer.
The 25-year-old forward averaged 10 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals through eight games. He shot 50.9% from the field and 31.3% from deep.
Leons held his own at center while Carlson was out despite being 6-9, and he also showed an ability to defend on the perimeter. His best bet at carving out a role in the league is to be a 3-and-D guy, although his 3-point shot wasn't very consistent this summer.
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Ajay Mitchell : A+
Mitchell was the only one on OKC's Summer League team who played in the 2025 NBA Finals, and that was very apparent.
The 23-year-old guard dominated in his six games with averages of 19.8 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He shot 46.9% from the field and 40% from deep.
Mitchell controlled the pace of the game, scored efficiently by getting to his spots and created for others. He was easily the best player on the roster, and he looks ready to be a rotational player on the NBA champion Thunder next season.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes under pressure from Danny Wolf #18 Tosan Evbuomwan #12 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
More: OKC Thunder signing Ajay Mitchell to three-year contract worth nearly $9M, per report
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Nikola Topić : B+
OKC selected Topić with the 12th pick in the 2024 draft. He then missed all of last season due to a partially torn ACL in his left knee , but he made his debut this summer.
The 19-year-old guard averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds through six games. He shot 33.3% from the field and 20.8% from deep.
Topić made plenty of impressive passes, excelled in transition and committed fewer turnovers as he shook the rust off. His poor shooting could make it difficult to stay on the court in the league, which is why he falls just short of an A grade, but he has plenty of time to work on that.
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Chris Youngblood : A+
Chris Youngblood joined OKC this summer as an undrafted player, and he improved his stock more than anyone on the roster.
The 23-year-old guard averaged 11 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals through eight games. He shot 49.2% from the field and 46.5% from deep.
Youngblood was one of the hottest shooters in all of Summer League, and he made a strong case to earn OKC's third and final two-way contract. Other candidates for that spot likely include Leons and Gortman.
More: Thunder schedule unveiled for 2025-26 NBA preseason slate: No Tulsa game for OKC
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Summer League report card for Nikola Topić, OKC Thunder
