(Las Vegas, NV) Sun Devil Men’s Basketball product Josh Christopher was named the NBA Summer League Championship Game MVP.
Christopher and the Miami Heat secured the 2024 Summer League Championship in Las Vegas by virtue of their 120-118 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. In the final game, Christopher shined, scoring 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%). He made an impact on both ends of the floor, adding four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. A theme of his incredible run in the Summer League was his outstanding shooting from beyond the arc. That continued against the Grizzlies, as he nailed 6-of-10 three pointers, including several crucial makes down the stretch at the end of regulation and in overtime.
In six games at the Summer League, Christopher averaged 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 25.9 minutes. He was extremely efficient, shooting 54.1% from the field and 52.5% from three-point range. The guard made opponents pay for fouling him, finishing a perfect 15-for-15 on his free throw attempts. Christopher proved to be a two-way threat, adding 2.0 steals and 0.7 blocks a game on the defensive end.
After one season in Tempe, Chirstopher was drafted 24th overall in the first round by the Houston Rockets. He played in 138 games over two seasons with the Rockets, averaging 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 15.4 minutes. The guard established himself as a worthy candidate for a two-way contract and has generated interest from around the NBA.
TOP PERFORMANCES
119-114 win over Boston – 20 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals (7-of-9 shooting; 3-of-3 on 3 pts)
102-73 win over Oklahoma City – 23 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal (8-of-11 shooting; 6-of-8 on 3 pts)
109-73 win over Toronto – 17 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks (6-of-9 shooting; 3-of-5 on 3 pts)
Semifinal Round: 102-99 win over Golden State – 23 points, 2 rebounds (7-of-15 shooting; 7-of-7 on FT)
Championship Game: 120-118 overtime win over Memphis – 24 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, three steals, two blocks (9-of-17 shooting; 6-of-10 on 3 pts).
WHILE AT ASU
Christopher started all 15 of the games he played in during the 2020-21 season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 Global pandemic. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 29.7 minutes. Christopher proved to be one of the best freshman in the Pac-12 Conference, winning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after pouring-in 28 points on defending National Champion No. 3 Villanova in the Empire State Classic Championship Game.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
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