Versatility: the quality or state of having many uses or being able to do many different kinds of things.
After two summer league games, versatility is the one thing we have seen out of the third overall pick in this year’s draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Evan Mobley. Against the Magic on Wednesday night, Mobley’s versatility was on full display.
The 7-footer had 14 points(5-15 FG, 1-3 3pt), seven rebounds, and six assists as the Cavaliers(1-1) defeated the Magic(1-1) 94-84 in Las Vegas. The fifth overall pick by the Magic, Jalen Suggs, led Orlando with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Mobley scored in all different ways on Wednesday night. He scored in the post, midrange, and made a three.
At times, Cleveland was running their offense through Mobley, and according to Cavs Summer League head coach J.J. Outlaw, while Mobley worked a lot from the left elbow, he can work from anywhere on the floor.
“He’s extremely talented and has a lot of gifts,” Outlaw said. “He’s good with the ball anywhere. I just wanted to make him as comfortable as possible when he got his touches.”
Mobley added: “I feel like my game is very playmaking, and I saw a lot of reads tonight; guys were cutting, and they were able to finish.”
Outlaw believes that the rookie will be a big part of what Cleveland does this season.
“He’s going to be an extremely integral piece for us throughout the season,” he said. “And his willingness to share the ball and then also be able to get his own shot when he wants it is extremely important.”
The 20-year-old Mobley oozes with potential. Although it’s only Summer League, and most of the guys he’s playing against won’t be in the NBA, you can see that he checks all the boxes.
Cleveland continues their Summer League schedule on Friday against the Pelicans.
