The NBA Summer League kicked off in Salt Lake City, Utah, where a quartet of former Iowa Hawkeyes took the court, drawing attention from fans and analysts alike.
Summer League Highlights
Brendan Hausen, the sharpshooting guard, led the Memphis Grizzlies with 21 points in a tightly contested loss to the Atlanta Hawks, showcasing the offensive firepower that made him a standout in college.
Josh Dix, another Hawkeye alum, answered for the Oklahoma City Thunder with 16 points, though his team fell to the Utah Jazz, highlighting both his scoring ability and the competitive nature of the league.
Payton Sandfort, expected to be a breakout shooter, was held scoreless in his appearance for the Thunder, a quiet night that underscored the challenges of adjusting to faster defenses.
Bennett Stirtz, the versatile forward, did not see any minutes in the Thunder’s game, leaving observers to wonder about his role in the upcoming roster.
What’s Next for the Hawkeye Alumni?
All four players are slated to reconvene in Las Vegas for the next leg of the Summer League, where they will have another chance to translate preseason promise into tangible results.