Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Meleek Thomas didn’t just show up to the 2026 NBA Summer League — he dominated it. The second-round pick, who slipped to No. 34 overall after many expected him to go in the first round, spent his time in Las Vegas making it clear that draft boards got it wrong.
Thomas was one of the best players in the entire 2026 Summer League, leading all scorers in Vegas with 27.3 points per game. His signature performance came in a loss to Detroit, where he poured in 30 points with 7 assists and 4 steals, showcasing a game far more complete than “just a shooter.” He followed that up days later by dropping 35 points on the Miami Heat and closed the tournament by leading Cleveland in scoring in a win over Chicago.
That body of work earned him a spot on the NBA Summer League First Team, alongside players like Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Historically, only two players in the 22-year history of Summer League have ever averaged more points than Thomas did this July — Marcus Banks in a single 2007 game and, fittingly, current Cavaliers teammate Donovan Mitchell.
Thomas starred at Lincoln Park, helping the program win back-to-back state championships before finishing his prep career at Overtime Elite. He even drew interest from Pitt during his recruitment, ultimately picking Arkansas instead.
Now, after one standout freshman season with the Razorbacks, the Western Pennsylvania native is turning heads in the NBA — and Cavaliers fans, along with his hometown, are taking notice.