NBA Summer League: Kennedy Meeks continues hot play against Cavaliers

Kennedy Meeks is shedding doubters, proving he belongs in NBA

Former University of North Carolina center Kennedy Meeks wasn’t selected in the 2017 NBA Draft. He was passed over by 30 teams. Twice.

It was a sobering experience for Meeks; one that he said he would never forget. And one that would serve as motivation to prove wrong those who doubted him.

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So far, Meeks has done just that.

Soon after the draft, the 6-foot-10, 260-pound big man was picked up by the Toronto Raptors. It was an opportunity for the former Tar Heel to show his abilities and prove that he deserved a roster spot in the NBA.

Three weeks and a handful of games later, Meeks has turned many of his skeptics into believers.

After four games played, Meeks has been one of the most statistically efficient players in the NBA Summer League. He’s played well on offense and held his own on defense. And he’s played with an energy that appears to stem from his humbling experience with the draft and subsequent motivation that came thereafter.

Though he was used primarily as a reserve in the Las Vegas Summer League, logging just 15.5 minutes per game, Meeks averaged 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and one assist per game. Extremely efficient in the low post, he hit 55.6 percent of his shots. He’s even extended his jump shot out past mid-range, showing the ability to knock down shots from beyond the three-point line.

Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was just another example of that when Meeks scored 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three-point range. He came up just one rebound shy of a double-double. He also recorded three assists and a block in 27 minutes of play.

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Though it’s still a small sample size, Meeks has been good; really good. It’s difficult to imagine that the Raptors won’t give him the opportunity to be an everyday player and continue to build on what he’s already shown he can do.