The NBA’s summer circuit this year is organized around three distinct tournaments: the California Classic, the Salt Lake Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League. The California Classic will take place from July 3 to 6, the Salt Lake event from July 4, 6 and 7, and the Las Vegas showcase from July 9 through 19. Together, these events provide a concentrated platform for prospects to impress NBA coaching staffs before the regular season.
A Fresh Batch of Talent
Six former Ohio Valley Conference standouts are slated to appear on NBA summer‑league rosters. Aaron Nkrumah, the 2025‑26 OVC Player of the Year from Tennessee State, will wear a Denver Nuggets jersey. Arnas Sakenis, the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, earned a spot with the Miami Heat. Additional alumni, including Myron Gardner of Little Rock, Riley Minix from Morehead State, Taelon Peter of Tennessee Tech and Will Richard from Belmont, are also slated to compete, with several appearing for multiple teams across the different tournaments.
The participating clubs span the league’s western and southwestern markets. The Golden State Warriors will field a squad that includes Will Richard during the California Classic and again in Las Vegas. The Cleveland Cavaliers will showcase Riley Minix in the Vegas segment, while the Indiana Pacers will evaluate Taelon Peter there. These assignments illustrate how the summer league serves as a proving ground for players on the fringe of NBA contracts.
While the current lineup already numbers six former OVC athletes, league officials have indicated that additional signings may still occur before the Las Vegas portion begins. This fluidity underscores the summer league’s role as a dynamic audition space where fresh talent can emerge up until the final roster cuts.