The 2026 NBA Summer League opens its doors on July 3, kicking off in California before moving to Utah, with the marquee showcase set to begin in Las Vegas on July 9.
Among the participants are several alumni of the University of North Carolina, whose performances last season have turned heads and earned them professional contracts.
Notable Tar Heel Alumni
RJ Davis, the second‑leading scorer in UNC history, will suit up for the San Antonio Spurs, while forward Pete Nance, who spent three years in the NBA, joins the Milwaukee Bucks. Drake Powell, a former first‑round draft pick, heads to the Brooklyn Nets, and sharpshooter Cormac Ryan also finds a home with the Bucks.
Seth Trimble, who captained the Tar Heels, is slated to play for the Washington Wizards, and Henri Veesaar, a 6‑foot‑9 forward from Finland, signed a four‑year, $9.3 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Caleb Wilson, another UNC product, secured a four‑year agreement worth $48.5 million with the Chicago Bulls, underscoring the confidence teams have in his potential.
The league’s schedule, detailed in the accompanying release, pairs these former college stars against each other and against a host of other prospects, offering fans a first look at how the new contracts will translate into on‑court production.
What to Watch
Observers will be tracking how quickly Wilson adapts to the NBA’s pace, whether Veesaar can become a reliable stretch‑four, and how Davis’s playmaking translates to the Spurs’ system. The Bucks will also be evaluating Nance and Ryan for depth at the wing.
Beyond individual storylines, the Summer League serves as a platform for the University of North Carolina to showcase the continued pipeline of talent it produces, reinforcing its reputation as a breeding ground for future NBA contributors.