The NBA Summer League is set to begin with a clash that will draw the eyes of Iowa fans everywhere.
On July 4 at 2 p.m. Central Time, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Memphis Grizzlies in a game that features former Hawkeyes Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix on the Thunder roster, while Brendan Hausen will be in a Grizzlies uniform.
Stirtz, the first‑round draft pick among the group, is expected to see the most minutes as he attempts to translate his college production into NBA minutes.
Sandfort and Dix, both sharpshooters, will be looking to prove they deserve a spot on the Thunder’s final roster or a two‑way contract, while Hausen’s immediate focus is on his three‑point shooting, a skill that can earn him a longer stay in the league.
What’s at stake for the Hawkeyes
For each of the four players, the Summer League is more than a preseason exhibition; it is an audition that could shape the next chapter of their professional careers.
The Thunder’s schedule includes matchups against the Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, while the Grizzlies will also meet the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.
Fans can watch all four former Hawkeyes in the opening game, a moment that promises to blend college memories with new NBA ambitions.