30 Notable NBA Summer League 2023 Participants who may be off your Radar

For NBADraft.net

The 2023 NBA Summer League (confusingly called the 2k24 Summer League, due to sponsorship from the video game) kicks off today in Las Vegas.

Below is a list of noteworthy names competing in NBA Summer League 2023 who may be off your radar. The list mostly includes guys who were NOT drafted in either of the previous two drafts, but who ARE participating in Summer League.

Note: Typically, most players who were drafted within the past two years compete in the Summer League. An exception could be like Paolo Banchero this year, since he is with Team USA preparing for the World Cup.

Remaining Summer League roster spots are typically filled by players in one of the following three categories:

• Undrafted guys from the past 1–3 drafts.
• Rarely, third year NBA players, as teams look to make final evaluations / decisions on them (or simply to help them further develop in a specific skill area).
• Older guys (in this case, usually 24+ years old) who have yet to find their footing in the league.

Bball Familia (Nepo Ballers)

These guys have basketball bloodlines — be it basketball royalty, or that somewhere else in the family is another player looking to find his footing in this ultra-competitive league.

1. Vin Baker Jr. (2002, Mississippi St.) with Milwaukee: Can you guess who his father is? Junior is looking to show his stuff to show he can be a productive Forward in the NBA.
2. Buddy Boeheim (1999, Syracuse) with Detroit: What some may not know about legendary college basketball coach Jim Boeheim is that he was a walk-on for the Syracuse basketball team in the 1960s, and played professionally in the CBA. Couple good genes with access to top tier coaching and perhaps it is no surprise that Buddy Boeheim, son of Jim, finds himself looking to land a spot playing in the NBA. Buddy is seen as a long shot to land an NBA roster spot.
3. Julian Champagnie (2002, St. John’s) with San Antonio: Julian’s twin brother, Justin, has nearly 50 games of NBA experience under his belt with Toronto and Boston. Justin is also playing in the Summer League (with Boston). Julian has a smooth offensive game with a real shot at landing on an NBA team full time.
4. Kris Murray (2002, Iowa) with Portland: Kris Murray was one of the few players on my list who was drafted. But he’s mentioned none the less due to his fit on this list as brother of one of last season’s best rookies, Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings.
5. Ron Harper Jr. (1999, Rutgers) with Toronto: Not only was Ron Harper Sr. a notable NBA player in the 1990s. But Senior’s other son, and Junior’s brother, is now the top ranked high school player in the class of 2024. There may soon be yet another Harper in the league. Ron Junior is a big bodied combo forward already under contract with the Raptors.
6. Scottie Pippen Jr. (2002, Vanderbilt) with LA Lakers: Standing at just 6'1", Junior is nothing like his Hall of Fame father, who stood at 6'8" and was a premier versatile defender. The scrappy and talented guard is already under contract with the Lakers.
7. Isaiah Mobley (2000, USC) with Cleveland: The brother of budding star Evan and 2022 second round draft pick is looking to find his footing in the NBA.
8. Pete Nance (2000, Northwestern) with Cleveland: The son of 3x NBA All Star Larry Nance Sr. and brother of seasoned NBA veteran Larry Nance Jr. is looking to show out at Summer League and land an NBA contract.
9. Marcus Bagley (2002, Arizona State) with Philly: Brother of NBA player Marvin III, the undrafted Marcus Bagley is looking to land on an NBA roster.

Senior Statesmen

Here are guys who you may recognize from the NBA regular season — last season, the season prior, or even the season before that. They stand out because, as mentioned, the NBA Summer League is typically more for first or second year players. Guys in this group are under pressure to perform, and are expected to dominate given their leg up in experience vs. the competition.

1. James Wiseman (2001, Memphis) with Detroit: Standing at 7'1", this former elite level prospect was seen as the next big thing in Golden State. Things didn’t work out, but Wiseman is well on his way to a career resurgence in Detroit. He should absolutely dominate his summer league minute.
2. James Bouknight (2000, UConn) with Charlotte: The dynamic Brooklyn-born guard is looking to prove he belongs in the NBA. No matter what, this third year guard with nearly 1,000 minutes played in the NBA should dominate summer league.
3. David Duke Jr. (1999, Providence) with Brooklyn: Known for his aggressive style and athleticism, this third year player has already seen meaningful NBA minutes, and should dominate the summer league.
4. Tacko Fall (1995, UCF) with Milwaukee: Senegal-born Tacko Fall’s incredible 7'6" height is both a blessing and a curse. His vertical defensive impact is elite. However it is his ability to move laterally that has him currently on the outside looking into an NBA that has drastically cut its demand for bigs, unless they can switch a pick and roll and move with the league’s quickest players.
5. Justin Champagnie (2002, Pittsburgh) with Boston: Twin brother of Julian, Justin Champagnie had built a name for himself as a strong rebounder and versatile scorer at Pittsburgh. He has played sparingly thus far in his two-year NBA career, but is already under contract.
6. Daquan Jeffries (1997, Tulsa) with New York: This athletic wing is already under contract, and is looking to prove why he should be a full time rotation player in the NBA.
7. Elijah Hughes (1998, Syracuse) with Orlando: Hailing from Beacon, New York, Elijah Hughes played his first NBA game during the 2020–21 season for the Utah Jazz, and since has bounced to the Portland Trailblazers and the G-League.
8. Sam Merrill (1996, Utah State) with Cleveland: Shooter, and NBA Champion! Who played sparingly on the 2020–21 Milwaukee Bucks. Merrill is under contract and looking to help an NBA team with shooting and experience / savvy.
9. Moses Brown (1999, UCLA) with Brooklyn: Standing at all-of 7'2", New York City native Moses Brown made waves with his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities not only for UCLA, but even so far in the NBA. Moses played his first NBA game during the 2019–20 season, and since has participated in more than 1,500 minutes of NBA action. That is among the most in the Summer League. He is looking to establish himself in a league that does not value size (at the expense of mobility) the way it once did.

Undrafted (2023) College Stars

It is not always the case that a dominant college player will be expected to succeed in the pros. Hence this funny dynamic where a household name from college may go undrafted. Oftentimes these players do indeed find their footing in the league. They just don’t possess the type of upside that gets scouts and franchises excited and motivated to use a draft pick on them. Here are a few such players (undrafted college stars) from the 2023 draft.

1. Adama Sanogo (2002, UConn) with Chicago: Mali-born Adama Sanogo impressed us all with his strong interior presence and rebounding ability at UConn. The NCAA tournament Champion He is on a two-way contract with Chicago.
2. Oscar Tshiebwe (1999, Kentucky) with Indiana: Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, big and bruising Oscar Tshiebwe dominated the paint at Kentucky. He is now on a two-way contract with Indiana.
3. Drew Timme (2000, Gonzaga) with Milwaukee: With his deft post moves and trademark mustache, Drew Timme from Richardson, Texas, had become a household name at Gonzaga. One of the most recognizable college stars of recent memory is now on a two-way contract with the Bucks.
4. Azuolas Tubelis (2000, Arizona) with Philadelphia: The Lithuanian native, Azuolas Tubelis had been one of Arizona’s top players of recent memory. Tubelis is now on a two-way contract with the 76ers.
5. Markquis Nowell (1999, Kansas State) with Toronto: Standing at just 5'7", Markquis Nowell from Harlem, New York, was America’s favorite NCAA Tournament player this past season. The small but mighty guard is now on a two-way contract with Toronto.

Other Notable Names

Here are guys who don’t fit into the above categories but who you may want to make sure you’re aware of none the less.

1. Lester Quinones (2000, Memphis) with Golden State: This near-Jordan Poole clone from Brentwoord, NY is fun to watch. And after being undrafted out of Memphis stands to eventually make an impact in the NBA. He is on a two way contract.
2. Jordan Tucker (1998, Butler) with Philly: Ultra talented shooter Jordan Tucker from White Plains, New York, left Duke University for Butler and had more, but still not standout success. He’s looking to establish himself now and earn and NBA roster spot.
3. Ricky Council IV (2001, Arkansas) with Philly: Ricky Council IV, from Durham, North Carolina is a high-energy player with scoring ability. After two seasons at Wichita State, he transferred to the ultra-talented Arkansas program where he stepped in as an immediate contributor. He is under contract (two-way) with the 76ers.
4. Jazian Gortman (2004, Overtime Elite) with Milwaukee: This former top-level prospect who chose the Overtime Elite league over the NCAAs is quick and explosive point guard now on a two-way contract with the Bucks.
5. Kenneth Lofton Jr. (2002, Louisiana Tech) with Memphis: Kenneth Lofton Jr., hailing from Texas, is an absolutely dominant presence in the paint and an absolutely unique sight to be seen. Lofton has been on a two-way contract with Memphis since last season.
6. Jaylen Martin (2002, Overtime Elite) with New York: This athletic Tallahassee native was undrafted out of Overtime Elite, and now is one of the more promising young players under contract with the Knicks.
7. Isaiah Roby (1998, Nebraska) with New York: Illinois’ own Isaiah Roby is looking to showcase his athleticism and versatility and prove that he can fill the now vacant (as of the Obi Toppin trade) backup Forward spot behind Julius Randle for the Knicks. Roby is already signed to a deal.