Have a look at some of the NBA stars' best Drew League efforts over the past few years.

For almost 40 years, the Drew League has been a staple of Southern California's summertime culture. The Drew is a pro-am summer league that Dino Smiley founded in 1973. It has brought together local players, streetball superstars, international players, past professionals, and NBA superstars for the love of the game.

NBA players looking for a run during the offseason will go to King Drew Magnet High School, where fans cram the building for an opportunity of seeing players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and DeMar DeRozan up close. 

It's comparable to watching Drake or Beyonce play at a neighbourhood club rather than a stadium or large arena. 

In Drew, weekends are unpredictable. Which players will show up and show out is a topic of discussion. Additionally, if you're inside the building—or streaming, if you're not in Los Angeles—you never know when you might see something extraordinary.

12 NBA stars' standout Drew League appearances

Here is a look back at 12 of the most standout NBA stars' Drew League appearances, starting with those that have just happened this month.

12. LeBron James

LeBron James
  • The game: 16th July 2022 | MMV Cheaters vs. Black Pearl Elite
  • The stats: 42 points, 16 rebounds, four steals

LeBron James put on a spectacle for the estimated 2,500 spectators in attendance in his first game back at the Drew League since 2011 during the NBA lockout as he teamed up with Chicago Bulls swingman and Compton native DeMar DeRozan for the MMV Cheaters. 

The Cheaters defeated Black Pearl Elite, 104-102, thanks to LeBron's 42 points, 16 rebounds, four steals, and DeRozan's 30 points and 14 rebounds. Fans won't remember the final result of the game, but rather the atmosphere in the arena and standout plays like this off-the-backboard alley-oop that electrified the crowd.

11. DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 19: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 19, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
  • The game: 19th July 2015 | M.H.P. vs. Hank’s New Image
  • The stats: 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists

DeRozan is a regular in his hometown's summer showcase, whereas LeBron only shows up at the Drew once every ten years. There were many great performances from DeRozan, but this one from 2015 stood out because DeRozan led M.H.P. to an 87-58 victory over Hank's New Image while recording a triple-double with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Despite only having one triple-double in his NBA career, DeRozan stuffed the stat sheet at the Drew because the points he scored (38) or helped create (20+) were sufficient to win the game.

10. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
  • The games: 2011 Drew League debut doubleheader

In order to improve his game each offseason, Durant played with his hometown Goodman League pro-am. However, Durant made a few significant appearances elsewhere during the 2011 lockout. He went to the Drew League and Rucker Park in Harlem, where he dropped 66 points.

Durant made his Drew League debut while playing for the Game's Money Gang team. He launched an off-the-backboard alley-oop to himself while elevating after passing from just inside the 3-point line. However, Durant decided that one game wasn't enough and joined James Harden's Kings of LA team for another run the same day. 

Even L.A. icon and Drew League documentary producer Baron Davis lists Durant's performance in his Drew League debut as one of the top five Drew League moments. Two summers later, KD returned to the Drew and led LAUNFD with 35 points and 17 rebounds in a 92-90 loss to Money Gang as Durant missed the go-ahead 3-pointer with seconds remaining.

9. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • The game: 17th July 2011 | All-Star Game
  • The stats: 45 points & a game-winning jumper

After the league's 2011 campaign had ended, Kobe Bryant made his Drew League debut. It was decided that Bryant would play with other Drew League all-stars before a team from the Drew was set to travel to Washington, D.C., to face Durant's Goodman League team in a battle of the two pro-ams. 

Smiley initially rejected Bryant's request to play in the championship game in order to maintain the integrity of the competition by not allowing a ringer to enter during the playoffs.

As spectators rushed the court to celebrate, Kobe stole the show with 45 points, including the game-winning mid-range pull-up jumper over a young Harden. Depending on who you ask, Harden either scored 44 or 47 points in the defeat, but this day was all about the "Black Mamba."

8. Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Brandon Jennings #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks moves past Cameron Payne #22 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 118-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
  • The games: 7th July & 14th, 2014
  • The stats: 57 points, six rebounds, five assists (7th July) | 56 points, four rebounds, two assists (14th July)

In his seventh NBA game, then-Milwaukee Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings made history on November 14, 2009, scoring 55 points. That remains his career high over his nine NBA seasons. But in July 2014, Jennings recorded two straight 50-point performances for The Clozers in the Drew League, where he was practically unbeatable. 

It all began on July 7 when Jennings led The Clozers to a 107-84 victory over SoleClinics with 57 points, six rebounds, and five assists. A week later, in a 93-92 victory over the Kings of LA, Jennings scored 56 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out two assists. 

Jennings' 50-point streak came to an end two weekends later when he finished with just 33 points in a 99-88 victory over C.A.B.C.

7. Paul George

Paul George
  • The game: 6th July 2014 | MHP vs. Tradition
  • The moment: A must-see 360-degree windmill jam

George, a native of Palmdale, California, joined other local stars like DeRozan and Davis as a regular in the Drew League. George even included a colourway of his iconic Nike PG5s in which he paid tribute to the Drew League.

George had a steal on July 6, 2014, late in the first half, which resulted in a one-man fast break. That gave him the chance to really shine, and he did just that by breaking a 360-degree windmill slam and giving the audience a little dunk déjà vu. 

The former Indiana Pacers great performed the identical slam in the Drew League in 2012 and against the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2014. The dunk was executed with ease, perfection, and was certainly entertaining for the spectators.

6. Baron Davis

Baron Davis
  • The game: 5th July 2015 | BB4L vs. LAUNFD
  • The stats: 44 points, seven rebounds, three assists

We must point up Davis' 44-point effort from July 2015 as an example. Three years had passed since the end of his NBA career, but judging by these highlights, particularly this amazing behind-the-back dribble and dish, he still appeared to have plenty of gas in the tank as he guided his team to victory.

5. Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell
  • The game: 20th July 2019 | Public Enemy vs. BB4L
  • The stats: 46 points

The Drew League debut of Trae Young, who was playing for BB4L, was spoiled by Harrell and his Public Enemy team as Harrell finished with a game-high 46 points to lead Public Enemy to a 102-95 victory. Young scored 31 points overall in the defeat, showcasing his handle and almost limitless shooting range, but Harrell was the star of the show.

4. Trae Young

Trae Young
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 26: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 26, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
  • The game: 23rd July 2022 | Black Pearl Elite vs. CitiTeam Blazers
  • The stats: 22 points, seven assists, seven steals

John Collins, a teammate of Young's from the Atlanta Hawks, made his first appearance at the Drew this past weekend while they were dressed for Black Pearl Elite. Collins scored 16 points and 12 boards, while Young ended with 22 points, seven assists, and seven steals in the 103-100 defeat.

Despite losing the game, Young and Collins still managed to wow the crowd with a number of highlight-reel plays, such as Young's mid-air hand switch during an acrobatic layup and Collins' off-the-board alley-oop.

3. Lou Williams

Lou Williams
  • The game: 16th July 2017 | LAUNFD vs. Hank’s Panthers
  • The stats: 50 points, 10 3-pointers

No NBA player has ever scored more than Williams did in his first Drew League game, when LAUNFD defeated Hank's Panthers, 115-69, thanks to his 50 points and 10 three-pointers. Williams first became associated with Los Angeles in 2015 when he signed a free agent contract with the Lakers. 

Williams was traded back to Los Angeles that offseason after being sent to Houston in the middle of the 2016–17 campaign, although this time he joined the Clippers. Williams first laced them on in the Drew and was unstoppable before making his Clippers debut and later winning back-to-back Kia Sixth Man of the Year awards. 

Williams had a reputation as a player who could score points rapidly as a sixth man. He displayed this talent at the Drew, scoring both inside and outside the paint on his route to a 50-piece.

2. Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam
  • The game: 14th July 2018 | Hank’s Panthers vs. Birdie’s Revenge
  • The stats: 38 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists

After his second NBA season, in which he averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20.7 minutes per game, Pascal Siakam made his Drew League debut in July 2018. Although he was displaying glimpses of his enormous skill, he had not yet experienced his breakthrough season.

Siakam excelled in his debut Drew League game, finishing with a massive triple-double of 38 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists to help Hanks' Panthers defeat Birdie's Revenge. All game long, Siakam was in attack mode, driving to the basket and using his trademark spin move to open up space. 

It's hardly surprising that Siakam had a breakthrough season the following year, winning the Kia Most Improved Player award and leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship.

1. Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas
  • The game: 24th July 2021 | BB4L vs. Redemption
  • The stats: 37 points 

Isaiah Thomas participated in the pro-am circuit last summer to hone his skills and return to the NBA on a full-time basis. After two straight All-Star campaigns in 2016 and 2017, Thomas' career was cut short by a hip injury. 

Over the following four seasons, he participated in a total of 87 games. He scored 37 points with BB4L in his Drew League debut last summer, demonstrating the hard effort he had put in. A week later, he backed that up with a record-setting 65-point performance in the pro-am of the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League. Then, a week later, he pulled a Kobe and set a record with 81 points in the Crawsover pro-am, a summer league directed by Jamal Crawford, a fellow Seattle-area icon and former NBA player. During the 2021–22 NBA season, Thomas returned and appeared in 22 games for the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets.

Keep up to date with all of the latest NBA News right here at GiveMeSport.