NBA Summer League 2012: Rookies Who Will Continue to Shine in Las Vegas

Rookie point guard Damian Lillard's performance for the Portland Trail Blazers' Summer League squad on Sunday night in Las Vegas solidified him atop the mountain of first-year floor generals entering the NBA in 2012.

Lillard scored 21 second-half points and helped Portland overcome a 17-point deficit to knock off fellow rookie point guard Austin Rivers and the New Orleans Hornets.

Lillard finished his Summer League debut with 25 points, four assists and only three turnovers.

However, the Weber State product isn't the only rookie sure to continue to light up Vegas this summer.

Jeremy Lamb

Lamb is averaging 21 points per game so far in Vegas on 53.8 percent shooting from the field in two Summer League games for the Houston Rockets, who drafted him No. 12 overall last month. 

The 20-year-old averaged 17.7 points per game last season with Connecticut, and became even more of an outside threat thanks to an incredible 6'11" wingspan. Lamb's length makes him a scary perimeter defender as well as a better shooter who can rise above the defense with ease. 

Lamb has certainly made a great impression on the Rockets' coaching staff early on this offseason and should be a significant piece in Houston's rotation next season as a rookie with star potential. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The No. 2 overall pick from June's NBA draft has already demonstrated his dominance after one outing in Las Vegas. Kidd-Gilchrist, 18, finished Charlotte's dismantling of the Sacramento Kings on Friday with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. 

The superb stat line speaks volumes to Kidd-Gilchrist's motor and drive on the court. It is why the Bobcats chose him over the other big-name prospects at No. 2.

Kidd-Gilchrist may not produce outstanding numbers in one particular area, but his desire to win and be a factor when and wherever he is on the court will make him a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. 

Bradley Beal

Although the Washington Wizards' lottery pick Bradley Beal has struggled to hit from beyond the arc through his first three summer league games in Vegas (3-for-12), he is still averaging nearly 19 points per game.

The solid Summer League numbers are encouraging for Washington and suggest the 19-year-old will continue to shine in Las Vegas this July. After all, Beal's scoring prowess above everything else was why the Wizards fell in love with his game.

A 6'5" shooting guard, Beal is an elite shooter who will feast on outside jump shots in the NBA. He made 63 three-pointers during his freshman season at Florida. That being said, Beal will only become more consistent and ultimately lethal from downtown. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter For More Reaction on 2012 NBA Summer League Action.