Although almost everyone on the LA Clippers’ summer league roster needed to be present, one player who seemed way too good to be playing, even before games began, is Kobe Sanders. He might’ve suited up just to get extra reps in, or for the love of the game, but he could’ve taken the time off like many other sophomores, following a successful rookie season, to enjoy the competitive nature of youngsters across the association.
In the same breath, from the start of the summer league until the finish, Sanders made one thing clear: he’s poised to shock the world, which would be the second time in his career, as no one expected the 50th pick of the 2025 draft class to shine the way he did.
For context, in four contests throughout July, Sanders averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals. Within, he had a game-high 26 points against the Washington Wizards. This helped lead the Clippers past Washington in Keaton Wagler’s only absence.
Kobe Sanders looks ready to have an insane sophomore leap
Statistically speaking, Kobe Sanders’ summer league numbers look extremely good. He was stuffing the box scores in any way he could, and in the grand scheme of things, Sanders' strong summer league numbers left a strong impression on the fans and the NBA community as a whole.
Now, watching Sanders actually play provides literal proof that he is about to have a serious sophomore breakout for the LA Clippers next season.
Particularly on offense, though, Sanders was scoring the rock at all three levels. Whether it was off the catch-and-shoot, in the mid-range through a turnaround fadeaway, or even when he was put at a tough angle around the rim where the only way to get a bucket was to spontaneously adjust, the 24-year-old did it all on a respectable volume.
This says a lot about the work he has put in and how far he is willing to go to become as successful as a professional.
Additionally, Sanders’ leadership did wonders for Keaton Wagler. On the court, he was seen a handful of times, motivating and encouraging Wagler to keep his head high during times of adversity.
And, by the end of the summer league, Sanders’ impact on Wagler made a significant difference, as the rookie finished as one of the top performers.
That said, all the signs point to Sanders having a year two no one will forget. As a result, much of the fanbase cannot wait for the regular season to begin, partially because of the evolution of the former second-round pick.
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