Jalen Wilson‘s personal goals entering his second summer league run were simple. He wanted to lead by example, leave everything on the court and continue to prove to the Nets organization why his development was worth investing in.
It is safe to say the second-year forward shattered all expectations. He was named the NBA 2K25 Summer League MVP on Monday after averaging 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists across five games in Las Vegas. His best performance came in a win over the Orlando Magic on July 18, where he scored 33 points, hauled in 10 rebounds and went 6-of-7 from deep.
“I see the opportunity that we all have, and I just want to make the most of it every single day,” Wilson said. “We’ve been preaching just getting 1 percent better each day and that’s just been the mindset I wanted to have, want to keep, not only throughout this summer but the season as well.”
Oddly enough, Wilson was named to the All-Summer League Second Team for the second straight year despite winning MVP. Regardless, he is now the second Brooklyn player to earn MVP honors at summer league, joining starting guard Cam Thomas, who was a Co-MVP honoree in 2021.
Right on brand, Wilson was humble when asked about his success this summer.
“Just a blessing to have that opportunity to come out and play and be with guys I got drafted with and spent a long summer with,” Wilson said. “So, to be able to work and showcase how much better we’ve gotten over the summer was really fun.”
It is clear that Wilson has taken full advantage of the NBA experience he has received early in his professional career. He averaged 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists during last season’s summer run with the Nets, worked his way into the team’s rotation during his rookie campaign and wound up appearing in 43 games with the big club.
Wilson earned minutes with unmatched hustle and strong basketball instincts last season. He is starting to prove he is capable of more. Experience is arguably the most valuable asset a player can have in the league, and now that Wilson has a full season under his belt, it is beginning to show in his all-around game.
“The game just slowed down,” Wilson said. “I think from last year, all rookies are just eager to play and eager to get things going. This year I was able to know what’s coming and was able to get better prepared a little bit more. When I got to the games [this summer], everything just slowed down and the work was able to show.”
The most impressive skill Wilson showcased this summer was his outside shooting. The forward shot 55% from 3-point range on a healthy clip of eight attempts per game. His 22 made treys were the most of any player in Las Vegas and he ranked third in 3-point percentage among players that attempted five or more threes per game.
Elite shooting is at a premium in the NBA. Wilson, a former second-round pick, is starting to show signs that he can develop into a tremendous outside threat.
“Shooting helps everything at any level of basketball because it provides space on the floor for his teammates, and so the better he can shoot the ball, the more room there is for [his teammates],” Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel said.
It is unclear what Wilson’s role will be in Brooklyn next season, but if he can follow up his lights-out performance this summer with a strong training camp, it will be hard for first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez to keep him off the court.
And Wilson is not putting much pressure on himself, either. His development, and the Nets’ rebuild, will take time. For now, he just wants to earn his keep within the organization and help the franchise get back on track.
“I think the best thing is just being a good teammate, being able to be there for guys and show leadership,” Wilson said. “Also just being ready to play, being able to do different things, versatility, catch-and-shoot — all those different things that contribute to winning. I feel like winning is the direction we want to go in, so being able to be versatile and contribute to a winning direction is everything I wanted to show.”
