Nebraska Alumni Gear Up for Summer Showcase
The 2026 NBA Summer League will open its doors in Las Vegas on Thursday, bringing together a fresh crop of talent eager to prove themselves on the national stage. This year’s field includes a notable contingent of former Nebraska basketball standouts, each slated to make their first appearances in a professional uniform.
Rienk Mast will step onto the court for the Indiana Pacers, marking the culmination of a college career that saw him average 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists while delivering three double‑double performances and a triple‑double in his final season. Mast’s polished skill set and versatility have already drawn praise from Pacers coaches, who anticipate a smooth transition to the pro game.
Sam Hoiberg, son of former Nebraska head coach Chris Hoiberg, will debut with the Phoenix Suns. Hoiberg capped his collegiate run with career‑high numbers across the board — points, shooting percentage, rebounds, assists and steals — while setting a school record for assist‑to‑turnover ratio and earning a spot on the Big Ten All‑Defensive Team. His defensive instincts and playmaking ability are expected to make an immediate impact for the Suns.
Josiah Allick, who helped the Huskers snap a decade‑long NCAA Tournament drought, will begin his professional journey with the Charlotte Hornets. After a stint in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm, where he posted 6.6 points per game on 68 % shooting, Allick brings a blend of hustle and shooting touch that the Hornets hope will translate into meaningful minutes.
Brice Williams, the Huskers’ all‑time leading scorer and the architect of the program’s first College Basketball Crown championship, returns to the NBA scene with the Detroit Pistons. Williams burst onto the scene with a 43‑point outburst, a school‑record performance that underscored his scoring prowess. In his rookie season with the Motor City Cruise he averaged 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists, and he finished the year with 713 points, breaking the program’s single‑season scoring mark.
The Summer League schedule promises at least five games per team, with preliminary contests running from July 9 to 16. The semifinals are slated for July 18 on Prime Video, and the championship will be broadcast on ESPN on July 19, giving fans a chance to follow the progress of these former Huskers as they chase roster spots.