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LAS VEGAS — Former Utah guard Delon Wright impressed in his first summer league appearance as a member of the Toronto Raptors Friday night.
Wright, who was known for his well-rounded skill set as a guard at Utah, picked up where he left off in college as he put together a stat-filled night against the Sacramento Kings in the Raptors' first summer league game in Las Vegas. Wright finished the game with 9 points, 9 assists and 2 steals in just over 22 minutes of play as he lead the team.
Raptors summer league head coach Jesse Mermuys was impressed by Wright's overall performance given his tough defense throughout the game and his ability to garner 9 assists in his first NBA-style game without having a set system or scheme.
"He had nine assists — that's huge for his first game out," Mermuys said. "He did a really nice job running the team, in getting guys involved and throwing ahead. Just overall a really solid game."
"I was comfortable," Wright said. "I felt like my teammates made it comfortable for me."
Mermuys said Wright had an advantage with former NBA head coach Larry Krystkowiak as his head coach in Utah. Krystkowiak implemented several NBA sets into the offensive rotation.
He had nine assists — that's huge for his first game out. He did a really nice job running the team, in getting guys involved and throwing ahead. Just overall a really solid game.
–Jesse Murmuys
"Because he had an NBA coach in college, he had a familiarity with NBA sets in a game, so it wasn't like it was brand new to him," Mermuys said. "We did run some things that he probably hasn't seen before, but he's got great size and he's got great length. That allows you to be able to see over defenses and get the ball in places it's got to go where smaller guys can't."
Wright said having Krystkowiak set up NBA sets in college made it a much easier transition to an NBA style of play.
"He definitely prepared us for this type of offense," Wright said. "We ran a lot of NBA sets, so it was an easy transition for me to come in and be ready to run this type of offense."
Mermuys also credited Wright's never-ending defensive effort and ability to immediately transition into the offensive sets.
"To be able to do that and be able to deliver on the other end of the floor, that's really hard to do; it's tiring in an NBA game," he said.
Although it's just a summer league game, Wright appears to be in position to have a significant role with the Raptors this upcoming season. Wright was 0-for-3 from behind the arc, but Mermuys said he wasn't worried about that being a negative going into Wright's career.
"He's got a long ways to go. I don't think it's anything major with him, maybe just some minor tweaks with him," Mermuys said. "The way that he plays, he's just going to have to knock down open shots and that will come. We're not too worried about that, that will come. He's such a hard worker and a great kid."
The Raptors beat the Kings 90-68 Friday night and was lead by former UCLA standout Norman Powell who finished with 20 points in nearly 25 minutes of play.
