Summer League championships don’t get a banner in arena or get a player into the Hall of Fame, however it is a testament to your front offices scouting and development of players and coaching. The 2022 Portland Trail Blazers’ Summer League team flew a bit under the radar at first, as the roster did not have the flashiest of names. Behind a mix of rookies, second-year players, and guys fighting for a shot, Portland went on a strong run in Vegas, capping it off with a win over the New York Knicks in the championship game. Three years later, that roster makes for an interesting topic to revisit. Some of those players are now key rotation pieces, others have bounced around, and a few have taken their talents overseas or out of the league entirely. As we revisit that summer squad, the question is simple: where are they now?
The Big 3
Portland Trail Blazers v Atlanta Hawks Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
As strange as it sounds to call them a “Big Three,” Shaedon Sharpe, Jabari Walker, and Trendon Watford represented Portland’s first wave of drafted and undrafted talent during the franchise’s shift from contending to rebuilding.
Sharpe carried heavy expectations from the moment he was selected—Portland’s highest draft pick since Damian Lillard. Big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, his Summer League debut was cut short just minutes into the opening game after suffering a labral tear in his left shoulder. He missed the rest of the tournament. Since then, though, Sharpe has developed into a key piece of the Blazers’ young core and enters the upcoming season aiming to take the leap toward star status.
Watford brought an infectious energy that quickly made him a fan favorite. Undrafted in 2021, his hustle and toughness earned him a roster spot for the 2021–22 season. His MVP performance in the 2022 Summer League helped elevate his status into that of a reliable NBA contributor. Watford’s exit from Portland came under surprising circumstances when he was waived ahead of the 2023–24 season. But he landed on his feet—earning a steady role with the Brooklyn Nets the past two years. This offseason, he signed a two-year, $5.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jabari Walker’s journey mirrors Watford’s in many ways. Selected near the end of the 2022 NBA Draft, Walker had to earn his place not through high usage, but by bringing constant energy and toughness. He became the kind of player every fan base loves—hard-working, team-first, and always ready to do the dirty work. While it’s unfortunate that his time in Portland came to an end this offseason, he now joins a city that embraces players of his mold. If any fan base appreciates grit and hustle, it’s Philadelphia. On paper, it’s a perfect fit.
The Core
New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
This is where the dive into the past gets interesting for the 2022 champions. Players are scattered across the league and overseas with some careers taking off and some unfortunately never taking that leap.
Keon Johnson was one of the few who saw meaningful playing time with Portland following Summer League, but things never fully panned out for the former first-round pick. Acquired as part of the Norman Powell trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, Johnson was later included in the Damian Lillard deal that sent him to Phoenix—where he was ultimately waived. At the start of the 2023–24 season, he signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets and has since become a steady piece in their rotation.
Didi Louzada, another player involved in a trade that didn’t pay off for Portland, arrived from New Orleans in the CJ McCollum deal. He played just seven games for the Blazers before being waived after Summer League and hasn’t appeared in the NBA since. Most recently, Louzada suited up for Franca in the Basketball Champions League Americas.
Then there’s Greg Brown III, a player whose highlights still pop up when you’re bored and scrolling through old dunks. The ninth-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2020, Brown had rare athleticism and was a walking highlight reel—but his overall game never quite came together at the NBA level. After short stints with the Blazers and Mavericks, he made waves in the G League with the Mexico City Capitanes. However, it wasn’t enough to earn him another NBA shot. He’s now playing in Canada for the Calgary Surge. It’s hard to call any talent “wasted,” but Brown’s story is a reminder of just how hard it is to stick in the league—even for someone with his physical gifts.
Brandon Williams had one of the more unintentionally hilarious “welcome to the NBA” moments in recent memory. After signing a two-way contract with Portland in 2022, he hit his first career three-pointer against the Golden State Warriors. A proud moment—until ESPN flashed a side-by-side graphic comparing career threes. The two players? Brandon Williams with 1, and Stephen Curry with 3,084. Naturally, it went viral. Williams was waived by the Blazers in October 2022 and spent time bouncing around the G League before landing a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks in 2025 amid their injury crisis. He made the most of it, including a career-high 31-point game against the Grizzlies in March and earning the G League scoring title. Now, he’ll look to hold onto a roster spot at the end of the bench in Dallas as they chase another title.
Luka Garza rounds out the list of notable players from the 2022 championship squad whose careers still have momentum. Garza fits into a growing archetype in today’s league: the dominant college star who struggles to carve out a consistent NBA role. Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, and two-time First Team All-American, Garza has one of the most decorated college résumés in recent memory. Still, he slipped to the 52nd pick in the 2021 draft. His throwback post-oriented style and defensive limitations haven’t translated cleanly to the modern NBA, but the skill has never been the issue. After spending time on two-way contracts and bouncing between the G League and end-of-bench roles, Garza signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics this summer. If there’s ever a moment for him to break through, this might be it.
Conclusion
Looking back at the 2022 Summer League champions, it’s clear that this group was more than just a luck of the draw roster thrown together for July basketball. For some, like Sharpe and Walker, it was the first step in real NBA careers. For others, it was a final shot, or a brief moment of spotlight before taking their talents overseas or to the G League grind. That’s the beauty—and the harsh reality—of Summer League. It’s a launchpad, a last chance, and sometimes just a footnote. But for a few weeks in Vegas, the 2022 Blazers came together, played hard, and walked away with a title. Years later, that title of Summer League Champions still stands, and their stories—whether ongoing or complete—are a part of Portland’s transition-era history.