LAS VEGAS – None of these youngsters were wandering around Las Vegas muttering, "It's just summer league." And if they were, they'd better hope in the name of all things Maloof that no one heard.

As the Kings' July affair closed with a 98-91 loss to Houston on Sunday night at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center that gave them a 3-2 record, so too ended the latest chance for the team's younger core to convince the purple powers that be of their respective talents. While no one left entirely unblemished, there were no outright debacles, either. Thus, we offer the lasting impressions that will linger until training camp in October.

Jason Thompson – Portland's Jerryd Bayless won the summer league award given to the best rookie, but the Kings forward picked No. 12 overall out of Rider created mild buzz with his play.

He was consistent and clutch, hitting two game-winning shots while nearing the sort of 20-point, 10-rebound numbers he averaged in college. His energy, nose for rebounds and guard-like skills appear as advertised. He's capable of running the fast break on his own, which is certainly atypical of a 6-foot-11 big man with size 20 feet. Defense will be a work in progress.

Sean Singletary – The point guard taken in the second round out of Virginia was the hot topic early, when his defense and floor presence were good signs that the Kings might have found their backup to Beno Udrih.

But he struggled midway through the session, never showcasing the scoring punch for which he was known in college. Training camp will be pivotal for Singletary, as the first season on his contract isn't fully guaranteed until opening day.

Patrick Ewing Jr. – The No. 43 pick out of Georgetown had a frustrating showing from the get-go. The forward was hit on the right thigh in the first play of the first game and was hindered from there. The athletic Ewing, who also has only a partial guarantee until opening day, must prove in camp that he can be a needed defensive presence.

Quincy Douby – It would've qualified as a resounding success if he had been able to finish the job, but the third-year guard sat out the finale because of food poisoning.

In his four games, Douby went back to his old college ways of scoring in various ways. He averaged a team-leading 22.3 points, most of which came while playing the off-guard position he held at Rutgers. Everything from here forward is crucial for Douby, as the Kings have until Oct. 31 to decide whether to pick up his $2.2 million team option for the 2009-10 season.

Shelden Williams – Like Douby, the third-year forward would have helped his cause if he played the full schedule.

He was excused by Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie for one game to attend the ESPY Awards with his fiancée, WNBA star Candace Parker, but otherwise showed urgency and effectiveness. His last outing was his best, as he had 20 points and nine rebounds against the Rockets.

Now comes the downside of being a No. 5 pick: His team option for the 2009-10 season is worth $4.3 million, just enough that the Kings must be convinced of future contributions to pick it up by the Oct. 31 deadline.

Spencer Hawes – The second-year center kept his part of the bargain coming in, as he cut body fat and worked on his game hard. But he shot just 39 percent overall after forcing the issue offensively early and often.

The key for Hawes will be to remain focused on the elements of his game he's not known for, namely rebounding and defense. He made the most of his worst shooting game Friday, grabbing 14 rebounds to counter his 3-of-13 shooting. It was the opposite Sunday, when he hit 10 of 19 shots for 22 points but had just six rebounds in 32 minutes.

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