Two former Chattanooga Mocs standouts are turning heads on the international basketball stage, each securing a professional opportunity that underscores their rising profiles.
Summer League Spotlight
Jake Stephens, the 6‑foot‑7 forward who dominated NCAA Division I with over 1,900 career points, has signed a contract to compete in the NBA Summer League, where he will suit up for the Phoenix Suns from July 9‑19 in Las Vegas.
This marks Stephens’s fourth Summer League appearance, a testament to his durability and ability to earn roster spots with multiple NBA franchises, including stints with the Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.
After completing the 2025‑26 season overseas with KK Split in the Croatian A‑1 Liga and the Adriatic Basketball Association, Stephens averaged 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, numbers that helped the club remain competitive in a league known for its tactical depth.
Stephens joins an elite group of five players in Division I history to finish their collegiate careers with at least 1,900 points, 900 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 blocks, a milestone that places him among the all‑time greats of the college game.
World Cup Quest
Meanwhile, guard Matt Ryan has earned a place on the USA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team, a squad that recently posted a victory over the Dominican Republic and is now preparing to face Mexico as it fights for one of 32 berths at the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
Ryan’s international résumé includes a prior appearance with the qualifying team in February 2022, and his professional journey has taken him from the NBA — where he has worn the jerseys of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks — to the UAE Adriatic League, where he currently competes for Dubai.
The dual signings highlight a broader trend of American players leveraging summer‑league exposure and national‑team commitments to accelerate their careers, while also bringing fresh talent to the global stage.