Patrick Williams showed enough to the Chicago Bulls after three games in the NBA Summer League — and now his stint in Las Vegas is over.
He was not with the team during a 96-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
More Top Picks Best Infrared Heaters For 1000 Square Feet
After he finished Thursday’s game, Williams did not want to commit on whether he would play in the Bulls’ final two games, but it was clear he had done all he could show.
The Bulls had to like what they saw from Williams during his three exhibition games. They put the ball in his hands on offense and he responded, averaging 21 points and 9.7 rebounds.
“I definitely think I achieved a lot getting the reps,” Williams said Thursday. “I still have a long way to go. For sure, turnovers these last games. The ball is in my hands more. I have to be mindful of what I do with it. I was glad to get out here and play this role so I know what I need to get better at.”
It doesn’t seem likely Williams will be asked to be a huge playmaker during the regular season, and he almost certainly won’t be this ball-dominant. But the Bulls envision a future with him in that role, and they wanted to get him reps in the Summer League.
“The sky’s the limit for Pat,” guard Devon Dotson said. “He can be really special. All-Star one day, definitely. And just a bright spot in this league.”
Williams, who will turn 20 later this month, has been working out in Chicago for most of the offseason, trying to add to his offensive game. He said he would leave Summer League with much more confidence on that side of the ball compared with a year ago.
“Everybody feels confident when you get more reps,” Williams said. “Reps build confidence, it builds trust in yourself. This summer, I’ve put in so much work with the coaching staff. … Huge thanks to them. We put in so many reps that coming out here, I had no choice but to be aggressive, had no choice but to be confident.”
Ayo Dosunmu steps up
With Williams absent and Dotson sidelined with an ankle injury, Ayo Dosunmu had his chance to shine Sunday. He scored 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting (1 of 5 from 3-point range) with seven rebounds and three assists.
“It felt good being able to make plays,” Dosunmu said. “I’m a playmaker. That’s what I try to instill in myself, being a two-way player. In the NBA season, especially my rookie year, there are going to be ups and downs. I just want to get better each and every game and try to learn from each game. I think as the games are progressing, I’m definitely achieving that.”
Dosunmu made an impact defensively in his first three Summer League games but had struggled to score, playing off the ball with Williams and Doston on the court.
He was happy to get to operate out of the pick-and-roll more frequently Sunday. Dosunmu credited that and feeling more comfortable in each game for his best performance yet.
“He settled into the game and got comfortable,” said Bulls player development coordinator Henry Domercant, who coached the team in Damian Cotter’s absence. “Partially because every game he’s going to get better and better, I believe, as he gets more comfortable with our sets, the way we do things and this NBA game overall. I think all of that played a part in him having a little more success.”
Sign up for alerts on your phone, desktop and inbox to stay current with the latest news
Sign up for our sports newsletter, delivered daily each morning