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Sights and sounds from former Arizona Wildcats at Day 1 of NBA Summer League
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Just In

US military refueling plane goes down in Iraq; rescue is underway

Sights and sounds from former Arizona Wildcats at Day 1 of NBA Summer League

  • Jul 6, 2018
  • Jul 6, 2018 Updated Jul 7, 2018

Deandre Ayton makes anticipated debut, Rawle Alkins heats up, and other Wildcats hit the court for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Ayton takes center stage as summer league tips off

University of Arizona vs Texas A&M (copy)

Deandre Ayton and five other ex-Wildcats are in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

All eyes were on the Phoenix Suns and No. 1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton on Friday night. And for the first time, all 30 teams are in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League. 

Twenty teams took the court on the first day of action, which runs through July 17. That includes six former Wildcats and another alumnus in Miles Simon, who will take over head coaching duties for Luke Walton this summer with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ayton, Rawle Alkins, Kadeem Allen and Chance Comanche each played their first game Friday. Here's how some of the action unfolded.

For more on former Wildcats' stats and schedules in Vegas, you can click here.

Rawle the Raptor

Rawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) takes the floor for the @Raptors. pic.twitter.com/qoTIdjfCTP

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Welcome to the association

Rawle Alkins finally checks into the game with 7 minutes left in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/UESNWE8LVu

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

'Hey bro, nice dunk'

Final: Pelicans defeat Raptors 90-77Rawle Alkins: 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3FG), 6 rebounds, 1 assist in 14 minutes pic.twitter.com/1YZyEdU1mO

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

About that dunk...

Rawle Alkins put on a show in the second half for the Toronto Raptors. #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/EJJBFWmO3j

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Alkins 'always motivated'

Rawle Alkins on his pro debut with the Toronto Raptors: “It’s a fast paced game and it kinda all hit me at once. ... You play so fast you don’t realize how much stuff you’re doing at once. It was a great opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/RZ6APhDJFL

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Rawle Alkins on going undrafted: “I was always motivated. I guess you could say it was a motivating experience. I wasn’t really expecting that.”

Alkins also mentions that him and Allonzo Trier still talk to each other on a daily basis. pic.twitter.com/NhPJ0KdE4x

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Comanche in the building

Chance Comanche and the Orlando Magic getting ready for the first game of NBA Summer League against the Brooklyn Nets. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/5GitgJQcLB

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Kadeem Allen sighting

Next Wildcat up: Boston Celtics guard Kadeem Allen #NBASummer Celtics take on the Sixers in just a few minutes on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VXAS5tmzcQ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 6, 2018

Allen heads off with Day 1 win

Final: Celtics defeat Sixers 95-89

Kadeem Allen: 6 points (3-5 FG), 3 assists pic.twitter.com/V0B7y4lZiO

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018

It's about that time

IT’S TIME!!!!! Deandre Ayton set to make his debut with the Phoenix Suns. Tipoff against the Dallas Mavericks minutes away. pic.twitter.com/8GfXRg7zYJ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018

Deandre Ayton’s first game not rocking the swoosh on his feet. @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/WWeT9E0o14

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 7, 2018

Just like old times

ALLEY-OOP! Deandre Ayton slams it home for his first points as a Phoenix Sun in @NBASummerLeague. pic.twitter.com/6hxiNXHLOw

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018

Rejected!Courtesy of @DeandreAyton pic.twitter.com/hZegcCXbkU

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 7, 2018

Ayton 'felt like a rookie'

Deandre Ayton was feeling the “energy” and “excitement” in his Phoenix Suns debut. Ayton also adds that he was surprised with the physicality of tonight’s win over the Dallas Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/YcMbOwsVfn

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018

Suns back in action on Saturday

Deandre Ayton on his performance tonight: “I can do better, but overall I think I did alright.” #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/qHENMmAHnQ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 7, 2018

More from Las Vegas

Mavericks Suns Basketball (copy)
John Locher / The Associated Press

For more on Ayton's professional debut and the five other Wildcats in Las Vegas for summer league play, check out the links below.

On day of firsts, Deandre Ayton battles excitement and double-teams in Suns debut

NBA Summer League: Stats and schedules for Deandre Ayton, former Wildcats in Vegas

The Wildcast: Episode 113: On NBA Summer League, free agency, and incoming Wildcats

And don't forget to follow @TheWildcaster on Twitter and like The Wildcaster on Facebook for live updates and exclusive coverage throughout the weekend.

Related to this collection

On day of firsts, Deandre Ayton battles excitement and double-teams in Suns debut

On day of firsts, Deandre Ayton battles excitement and double-teams in Suns debut

Suns' No. 1 pick fights through 'excitement' to make pro debut in NBA Summer League.

NBA Summer League: Stats from every game for every former Wildcat in Las Vegas

NBA Summer League: Stats from every game for every former Wildcat in Las Vegas

These seven Wildcats will be in Las Vegas for the summer. Keep up with their stats, schedules and more during NBA Summer League.

The Wildcast, Episode 113: On NBA Summer League, free agency, and incoming Wildcats

The Wildcast, Episode 113: On NBA Summer League, free agency, and incoming Wildcats

Wether you'll be watching from home or heading to Las Vegas, Dom and Justin give you the run down for ex-Wildcats participating in NBA Summer …

NBA Summer League: Rawle Alkins shines in second half of Toronto Raptors debut

NBA Summer League: Rawle Alkins shines in second half of Toronto Raptors debut

Alkins made the most of his limited time in his summer league opener.

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