Los Angeles Lakers guard Mac McClung has received the majority of the team buzz during the Summer League, but don't count out Chaundee Brown, either. A fellow undrafted rookie, Brown has shown off his hustle all throughout the games so far, and perhaps nothing showed that grit quite like Wednesday's game, in which Brown literally ripped through his shoe while playing tenacious defense, a la Zion Williamson:

The effort from Brown here is exactly the kind of effort you hope to see up and down an entire NBA roster. But it arguably means even more to see that kind of effort from a rookie – to not only play the kind of defense that rips a shoe wide open, but to keep on playing just as hard even after the fact.

Brown clearly didn't care about any sort of embarrassment or potential injury, and that kind of commitment is what can elevate fringe-NBA players to make the league. And, if Zion's success after ripping his shoe is any indication, I would be thrilled for Chaundee Brown's odds going forward.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on before a game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic gets 100% real on his passion for basketballJoey Mistretta ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Lakers’ LeBron James will love Luka Doncic’s Mind the Game moveJosh Davis ·
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Bill Simmons drops Lakers conspiracy theory to give Knicks fans hopeJulian Ojeda ¡
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James, Luka Doncic give Lakers their own unique 2-timeline issueAnthony Irwin ¡
Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
NBA rumors: LeBron James, James Harden potential free agency departures unlikelyZachary Draves ¡
timberwolves, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
1 player Minnesota Timberwolves must trade in 2025 offseasonGarrett Kerman ¡

Per the official NBA website, Brown is averaging just over 20 minutes a game, with 9.5 points per game on 50% shooting and 37.5% 3P percentage, along with a steal per game.

Chaundee's got big aspirations, as he said on the Jalen and Jacoby show:

“I look at the three-and-d guys in the NBA right now; I feel like that will be my role. A lot of P.J. Tucker and Jae Crowder, I've been watching mostly. And the ones that can do the dirty work and hit open shots.”

The Lakers often lacked the presence of a player to do the “dirty work” last year, much like Dwight Howard and Ron Artest had been able to on successful teams in their recent past. Perhaps, a guy like Brown, who will never have the skillset of a Talen Horton-Tucker or Dennis Schroder, could be the enforcer in L.A. with his tenacity.