Summer League Showdown
The 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League served as a showcase for a wave of former Tennessee Volunteers, with eleven alumni seeing action across multiple teams. The tournament offered a glimpse of how the program’s recent draft picks and standout performers are translating their college success to the professional stage.
Among them, Jahmai Mashack’s Memphis Grizzlies fought their way to the championship game before falling to the Golden State Warriors. The run highlighted Mashack’s defensive versatility and his ability to impact the game beyond the box score.
Scoring was led by Chaz Lanier, who averaged 17.4 points per game for the Detroit Pistons, the highest mark among the group and a clear indicator of his offensive readiness for the next level.
Key Performances
The San Antonio Spurs benefited from the play of three Volunteers — Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Igor Milicic Jr. and Zakai Zeigler — each logging at least four appearances and contributing in distinct ways. Gillespie paced the Spurs in assists with 4.3 per game, while Milicic Jr. dominated the boards, pulling down a team‑high seven rebounds per contest.
Other notable performances included Nate Ament, the highest draft pick of coach Rick Barnes’ tenure, who posted 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for his new club, and Kennedy Chandler, who added 7.8 points and 3.6 assists per game with the Chicago Bulls.
Scoring contributions also came from Keon Johnson (Orlando Magic, 7.8 ppg), Tyreke Key (Toronto Raptors, 11.8 ppg), Felix Okpara (Washington Wizards, 8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Jaden Springer (Dallas Mavericks, 6.8 ppg). Each player logged at least four games, providing a depth of talent that bodes well for their respective teams as the regular season approaches.
The breadth of involvement underscores the depth of talent emerging from Tennessee’s program. With several alumni already demonstrating the ability to compete at a high level, the Volunteers’ NBA pipeline appears poised to continue its upward trajectory.
Looking Ahead
As training camps open and preseason rosters take shape, the former Volunteers will look to translate their Summer League experiences into regular‑season minutes. Early indicators suggest that contributors like Lanier, Mashack and Gillespie could earn meaningful roles, while others may carve out niche positions on teams seeking fresh, versatile talent.