Tri State was one of the physically smaller teams in the BIG3 last season. To make up for their lack of presence inside, they relied on pinpoint shooting, sharp cutting, and players who could guard multiple positions.
2022 Fourth Man of the Year DaJuan Summers provided all of that for Julius Erving’s team last season. The 6’8 Summers was able to switch onto nearly any offensive player and keep him in check.
He was a dead-eye shooter as well. 15 of his 35 field goals came from three-point range, and he shot a blistering 42.9% from outside. Only Team Captain Jason Richardson scored more points than Summers for Tri State.
Finally, Summers was the consummate team player. He almost never broke a play and tried to go one-on-one, instead cutting, screening, and getting himself and his teammates open in the classic Tri State style. He’s the kind of player any coach wants in their lineup. It was a huge luxury for Coach Erving to be able bring him off the bench, and Summers is a deserving winner of the 2022 Fourth Man of the Year Award.