The NBA's annual Summer League, held in Las Vegas from July 9 through July 19, serves as a proving ground for rookies and recent graduates looking to earn a spot on regular‑season rosters. This year, the event will feature a trio of former Kansas State Wildcats, each joining a different NBA franchise.
Coleman Hawkins, who completed his fifth year of professional basketball in the G‑League last season, has signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets. He will debut in the league's opening game on July 10, when the Nuggets take on the Houston Rockets.
Nate Johnson, another Wildcats alumnus, earned an Exhibit 10 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder and will open his Summer League campaign on July 10 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Markquis Nowell, the dynamic point guard who helped lead Kansas State to the Sweet Sixteen, has signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans open their schedule on July 9 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The three former Wildcats will not only face new opponents but also each other. Hawkins and Johnson are scheduled to meet on July 14 when the Nuggets and Thunder square off, creating a nostalgic reunion of former teammates.
Nowell's first matchup will pit him against former Wildcats teammate Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who is slated to play for the opposing squad on July 15, adding a personal storyline to the on‑court competition.
All games will be broadcast live on either ESPN or Prime Video, giving fans multiple viewing options. The league format includes a round‑robin phase followed by a playoff bracket, with each team playing multiple contests over the 11‑day window.
Background and Expectations
Hawkins averaged 8.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game in the G‑League during the 2025‑26 season, numbers that have generated optimism about his potential impact at the NBA level. Nowell, who previously played for Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria‑Gasteiz in Spain's Liga ACB and EuroLeague, brings international experience to the Pelicans' roster.
The Summer League provides a unique platform for these former college stars to showcase their skills in a professional setting, test their conditioning against seasoned veterans, and attract the attention of coaching staff vying for final roster spots.
For Kansas State fans, the event offers a chance to follow the progress of players who helped shape the program's recent successes, while the broader basketball community watches to see how the Wildcats' alumni fare in the NBA's developmental arena.