Bucks rookie is making a strong case for himself in Las Vegas

Brayden Burries and the Milwaukee Bucks couldn't have asked for a better way to close out Summer League. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft delivered his strongest performance of the summer in Milwaukee's finale, scoring a game-high 27 points and knocking down the deciding points in the final seconds to lift the Bucks to a 96-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Burries wasn't perfect from the outside, going 0-for-4 from 3-point range, but the bigger picture was much more encouraging. He finished 9-for-18 from the field and showed the kind of confidence and shot-making ability that made Milwaukee believe he could become an important piece. More sports news: Ebuka Okorie is Giving the Pistons a Reason to Believe in Him For young players, Summer League can be a strange introduction. Everyone is trying to prove they belong. Some players disappear when the pressure rises. Burries seemed to find another gear. The rookie closed out the summer by scoring at least 20 points in three straight games, giving Bucks fans plenty of reasons to feel optimistic heading into the regular season. The numbers are nice, but the way he got them was even better. Burries looked comfortable taking responsibility late in games and wasn't afraid to make plays when Milwaukee needed them. Of course, Summer League success doesn't guarantee anything once the real games begin. The competition gets tougher. That's the next challenge waiting for Burries. More sports news: Hornets’ Hannes Steinbach, Christian Anderson Continue to Impress in Vegas Still, Milwaukee has to like what it saw. A young guard who can create offense, handle big moments and build momentum throughout a stretch is exactly the type of player teams hope to find in the draft. Burries has plenty of work ahead, but he left Las Vegas with something every rookie wants: confidence, momentum and a fan base already exciting about his future.