Edmond Sumner had a breakout season for the Indiana Pacers.
After spending three years trying to crack the rotation for the Indiana Pacers, Edmond Sumner finally got his chance under Nate Bjorkgren. In his first three seasons with the team, Sumner played in just 55 total games and started five. In 2020-21, he made 53 appearances and 24 starts.
Whether it was the new system and coaching staff that gave him a chance or the absurd amount of injuries to his counterparts, Sumner was thrown into the fire last season. When his number was called, Edmond did everything in his power to prove himself.
His season was filled with career highs. Sumner set personal bests for points, rebounds, and shooting percentages across the board. His leap as a shooter cannot be admired enough but I’ll get to that a little bit later.
Sumner’s calling card has been his ability to turn on the jets and get to the bucket in transition. His athleticism has been fun to watch on a team that typically lacks that explosiveness in the backcourt and Sumner used that quickness to bring help on defense.
While he looks a bit out of control when attacking the basket, Sumner does a good job of finishing at the rim and through contact. His season was strong enough to give him a good shot to crack the rotation again next season, especially if Nate Bjorkgren returns.
Given the circumstances and expectations, it is fair to say Sumner shined last season. He may not have been a game-changer every night but his presence was felt quite a bit. When he was given the green light, Edmond Sumner was a legit weapon for the Pacers.