NBA Summer League 2013: Little-Known Players Making the Biggest Statements

The NBA's Las Vegas Summer League is heating up as several notable young guns, including Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore, are lighting up the desert for their respective squads.

But in addition to the big-name stars, there are a number of lesser-known talents doing everything they can to shift the spotlight in their direction. 

Here we'll take a closer look at a trio of little-known players who are making some mighty statements with their play in Vegas this summer.

Josh Akognon, Dallas Mavericks

Point guard Josh Akognon only appeared in three games for the Dallas Mavericks last season, but the 27-year-old is lighting up the Vegas Summer League this July.

A former Big West Player of the Year in 2009, Akognon is averaging over 19 points per game in three appearances for the Mavs' Summer League team. Only four other players are averaging more through three games. 

The 5'11" Akognon has done most of his damage from beyond the arc and at the foul line. He has nine made 3-pointers to this point and is 11-for-12 from the free throw line this summer.

You may have never heard of him before, but Akognon is outscoring big names like Austin Rivers, Marquis Teague, Ben McLemore and Deshaun Thomas this summer while averaging fewer minutes than each.

Aron Baynes, San Antonio Spurs

Australian center Aron Baynes has spent several years playing overseas, but this summer he's been terrorizing the plethora of ballers in Las Vegas.

The 6'10" big man, who played at Washington State from 2005 to 2009, is averaging a double-double for the San Antonio Spurs summer unit, scoring 11.7 points and reeling in 10.7 rebounds per game through three starts. 

Only three other players in the Vegas Summer League have been more active on the glass than Baynes this July, and only two others are averaging a double-double.

The big man is also averaging 1.7 blocked shots per game for the Spurs.

Malcolm Thomas, Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls forward Malcolm Thomas has been putting on a rebounding clinic in Las Vegas this summer.

The 6'9" San Diego State product pulled down 32 boards through his first two games in the desert, leading the Las Vegas Summer League through the first four days.

The 24-year-old went undrafted in 2011 and spent some brief time with the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors before settling down with the Bulls last March.

In addition to dominating on the glass, Thomas is also blocking shots at a solid rate (two per game) and scoring 12 points per outing for the Bulls summer squad. 

While many NBA fans are surprised by Thomas' explosive performance in Vegas, those who have followed him since his days with the Aztecs won't be shocked.

After all, he was named to the All-Mountain West Conference defensive team as a senior, after finishing the year ranked second in the conference in rebounds and blocked shots.

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