The initial feeling within the Cleveland Cavaliers organization when they had the opportunity to draft Meleek Thomas in the second round was just how shocking it was that a player with so much potential had fallen out of the first round.
Two games into the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas, and that's still the overarching feeling, especially from Cleveland's head coach.
Kenny Atkinson was in attendance for the Cavaliers Summer League matchup on Sunday afternoon and joined the broadcast. When asked about Thomas joining the Cleveland roster, Atkinson said he was "so excited."
"I just told, Jon [Calapari], 'we got a steal.' Maybe every coach comes up here [to Summer League] and says that, but to get him in the second round. Like, like pinching myself," Atkinson said.
In terms of what has stood out to the Cavaliers' head coach, Atkinson pointed how Thomas has "Great feel, hasn't had a turnover yet in the summer. You see, he can pass. Like, I didn't know he could pass. Obviously he's got the shooting and, elite competitor defensively."