Camara after NBA Summer League debut: ‘I think I showed I belong’

Camara said his mom and girlfriend were among his supporters in the stands.

“I felt good,” Camara said. “At the end of the day, it’s just basketball, so just go out there and try to have fun with my guys and try to get a win.”

Camara made 8 of 13 shots from the field and played a team-high 31 minutes in an 84-75 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He had eight rebounds, a steal and three turnovers. He made 1 of 4 3-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws.

“He was great,” Quinton Crawford, who’s coaching the Suns in the Summer League, told reporters after the game. “He did everything we asked him to do. We used him like a Swiss Army Knife. He showed that he can bring the ball up the court. He showed that he can play the 5 and do a bunch of different things. I think his first showing in the NBA was really good. Obviously, his numbers look good, but I think his overall demeanor and character throughout the game, cheering on his teammates, trying to bring his teammates together when the going got a little tough for us, he was on the bench talking ... he was really good, and I tip my hat to him.”

The Suns drafted Camara in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in June. He signed a contract that’s guaranteed for his rookie season last week.

Camara had a highlight-reel dunk with 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall coming in late to try to block the shot.

“You’ve go to go up strong when you’ve got big guys like that in the lane,” Camara said. “I couldn’t go up soft. I went up soft one time, and he blocked me.”

The Suns return to action against the Miami Heat at 6:30 p.m. Monday. That game will air on NBA TV. They play the New Orleans Pelicans at 8 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2 and play the Utah Jazz at 11 p.m. Friday on ESPN2.

Former Dayton guard Jalen Crutcher scored four points in 14 minutes Friday for the Pelicans in a 102-88 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had two assists and two rebounds.