Cavaliers' Meleek Thomas: Scores 20 points in SL loss
Rotowire
Thomas tallied 20 points (7-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 27 minutes in Friday's 99-93 Summer League loss to the Pacers.
Thomas scored six points on 1-of-3 shooting from the floor in the first half before erupting for 14 points during the second, including 12 in the fourth quarter alone. The 34th overall pick in this year's draft tied for the game high in scoring in his Summer League debut, and he also tied for second on the Cavaliers in rebounds. The 19-year-old guard out of Arkansas isn't guaranteed a consistent role in the Cleveland rotation as a rookie, as he's buried behind guys like Sam Merrill, Max Strus and Craig Porter.
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Cavaliers' Meleek Thomas: Taken by CLE at No. 34
Rotowire
The Kings selected Thomas with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and traded him to the Cavaliers.
Thomas represents excellent value for the Cavaliers, who received a future second-round pick to move back from No. 29 and still got a first-round talent. The 19-year-old guard put together a highly productive freshman season under John Calipari at Arkansas, starting 21 of 37 games and establishing himself as a premier perimeter weapon. Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while serving as the focal point of the Razorbacks' floor spacing. He proved to be a lethal threat from beyond the arc, knocking down an impressive 41.6 percent of his three-point attempts on substantial volume. His 43.5 percent mark from the field reflects some struggles finishing inside against elite collegiate size, so he may struggle in the NBA. Defensively, he uses his quick hands and active anticipation to disrupt passing lanes, pacing Arkansas in total steals. He lands with a Cleveland squad that can afford to bring him along slowly in a deep backcourt, offering him an ideal environment to refine his frame and physical tools while providing the bench with elite, ready-made shot-making depth.
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