This Summer League Standout Deserves a Contract With the Spurs

The NBA Summer League is a time for undrafted players, lesser-known college players, and hard-working NBA hopefuls to punch their ticket into the big leagues. While the light always shines on the most prominent rookie names, hidden gems often find their way into the center stage. For the San Antonio Spurs, one name in particular has risen among the pack.

While the Spurs Summer League roster has been headlined by big-ticket rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, a surprise standout has emerged from San Antonio. 2024 undrafted rookie David Jones Garcia has been terrorizing the Summer League court. The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native has posted 20+ points in five of the Spurs’ seven Summer League games and is a serious candidate for tournament MVP. Coming out of the woodwork, Jones-Garcia has been a revelation.

This Summer League Standout Deserves a Contract With the Spurs

Jones-Garcia has a Proven Track Record

Jones-Garcia’s success should be no surprise. Working his way up from FIBA tournaments in his hometown, Jones-Garcia earned his way to a scholarship with DePaul. In his first season at DePaul, Jones-Garcia recorded the school’s first-ever triple-double in a win over Georgetown. Rallying on his success, the young prodigy transferred to St. John’s for his Sophomore season, where he averaged 14.5 points. A hot commodity in the transfer portal, Jones-Garcia would move yet again to Memphis to play under Penny Hardaway for his final collegiate season. As the Tigers’ number one option, he was dominant and became a Wooden Award candidate midway through the season.

Following a successful college career where buckets were a regular, Jones-Garcia elected to join the NBA Draft. Despite his prime college accomplishments, the seasoned scorer would go undrafted. Since then, he has bounced around the G League and the depths of NBA rosters, ultimately landing with the Spurs for this year’s Summer League. During his time in the G League, the prolific scorer has impressed, averaging over 24 points per game. It is abundantly clear that Jones-Garcia can make it rain.

The Spurs Need to Give Jones-Garcia a Shot

So far in the Spurs Summer League, Jones-Garcia has been transcendent. The 6’6″ shooting guard has averaged 21.8 points per game and racked up plenty of assists (4.0/game) and rebounds (6.2/game). He has, at times, served as the Spurs’ number one option on a talented squad. Scoring in the Summer League is nothing to ignore. The talent surrounding Jones-Garcia is some of the best he has witnessed, and he has quickly risen to the occasion. This level of success is deserving of a reward.

Although the Spurs roster is full of guards, David Jones-Garcia deserves a chance to continue his success at the highest stage. He has proven that he can score at every level of competition and possesses a versatile skill set for his size. In the wake of injuries, trades, or other movement, Jones-Garcia would serve as an excellent lower-depth piece.

At his young age, it is impossible to tell whether he has reached his peak. Throughout the NBA, we often see undrafted players make their way into the league and prove to be valuable to their teams. The Spurs can’t afford to be the team that lets this incredible talent pass them by. If I were General Manager Brian Wright, I would be urgently seeking a way to get this kid on the roster. With an opportunity, he could flourish into a player ready to compete at the highest level.