Caleb Houstan, Kevon Harris offer Magic poise, calmness at summer league
LAS VEGAS — With a full year in the NBA under his belt, Caleb Houstan has established himself as a leader for the Orlando Magic at summer league.
An early 2022 second-round pick who played in 51 games this past season for the Magic, Houstan feels more comfortable on the floor and has a better understanding of his role on both ends of the court.
A 3-and-D wing who shot 33.8% from beyond the arc as a rookie, the 6-8 forward from Michigan entered the offseason knowing he wanted to improve as 3-point shooter. He’s working in the right direction.
In Orlando’s first summer league game Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, Houstan scored 12 points (on 4-of-10 shooting from 3) in 31 minutes played, the most on the team, to go with 2 rebounds.
His comfort level on the court and growth as a player from a summer ago has been noticed by the Magic.
“He seems more poised out there,” Orlando guard Kevon Harris told the Sentinel. “He’s doing what he does best — shooting the ball, getting to spots, finding open spots on the court and defending.
“He had a huge role Saturday rebounding the ball and just trying to help. It’s great to see his development in doing what he does.”
Houstan’s development could bode well for Orlando, who’s aiming to improve as a 3-point shooting team this season. Beyond his numbers in the box score, though, Houstan’s calmness on the court rubs off on the rest of the Magic, including summer league coach Dylan Murphy.
“He doesn’t get too high or too low and other guys feed off of that in the way they feel him on the floor,” Murphy said about Houstan. “He hit a bunch of shots early, he’s not celebrating too much and gets back on defense. He even when he missed a couple of shots, he’ll do all the right things.
“Everyone can learn from the way he carries himself, myself included.”
The same could be said for Harris, who led the Magic with 21 points and 6 rebounds to go with 2 steals and an assist vs. Detroit.
Although he didn’t compete in summer league with Orlando last offseason — instead participating with the Minnesota Timberwolves before signing a 2-year, two-way deal with the Magic — Harris also feels at ease this year.
“Experience is the best teacher,” Harris said. “I’ve just got a chip on shoulder and have something to prove every game. Just trying to lead these guys by example and have fun out there.”
As Orlando’s summer league veterans, Harris and Houstan are playing an important role for the rookies on the Las Vegas team, including first-round draft picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard.
“It’s really amazing what a year of experience in summer league will do for you,” Murphy said. “They both had a poise and calmness about them leading the group.”
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
