On July 12, the 2026 NBA Summer League delivered a compelling contest as the San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks, featuring a quartet of former University of Tennessee players who have each carved out distinct professional paths.
Spurs' Early Surge
The Spurs seized momentum early, engineering a 16‑0 run to open the game. Gillespie ignited the spurt with a step‑back three‑pointer, and the trio of Volunteers — Gillespie, Miličić and Zeigler — were involved in ten of those points, either scoring or assisting.
Gillespie finished the night with 13 points, four rebounds and an assist, while Miličić contributed 10 points and six rebounds, underscoring his impact on the glass.
For the Bucks, rookie lottery pick Nate Ament logged seven points and five rebounds, drawing praise from head coach Taylor Jenkins for his defensive intensity after he forced Spurs guard Jayden Nunn into a missed shot.
Ament’s role as a ball‑handler was tested throughout the contest, as the Bucks continue to develop his playmaking skills in preparation for the regular season.
Miličić added a highlight in the third quarter, turning a careless pass into a chase‑down block after a turnover by Bucks wing Cormac Ryan, a play that illustrated his defensive instincts.
The Bucks answered back late, with Ament capping the game by driving through traffic and finishing with a slam, the alley‑oop set up by fellow lottery prospect Brayden Burries.
Zakai Zeigler, the program’s all‑time assist leader, saw limited minutes, finishing scoreless in just over four minutes of action, a brief cameo for the veteran.
Beyond the box score, the game reflected broader career movements: Gillespie transferred for a senior season, was drafted 42nd overall by San Antonio, Miličić signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Philadelphia and now plays for the Delaware Blue Coats, while Zeigler spent the previous summer with the Detroit Pistons before moving to Nanterre 92 in France. Both teams are back in action soon, with the Spurs meeting the Jazz on July 15 and the Bucks taking on the Suns on July 13, each stream available on Prime Video.