A deep Wolverine presence
The NBA Summer League this year features a notable contingent of former Michigan Wolverines, with twelve players spread across ten different franchises.
Among them, Morez Johnson Jr. has emerged as a standout for the Dallas Mavericks, where he is posting 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and three blocks per game, drawing early lottery buzz.
Yaxel Lendeborg, also a Wolverine, is delivering 17.5 points, six rebounds and five assists per game for the Golden State Warriors, underscoring his all‑around impact.
Kobe Bufkin, another Michigan alum, is leading the New Orleans Pelicans with 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals per game, positioning himself as a potential late‑first‑round pick.
Other Wolverines are carving out varied roles: Aday Mara is averaging six points and 2.5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Roddy Gayle Jr. has started his Detroit Pistons stint with a perfect shooting percentage. Nimari Burnett is contributing 9.3 points per game for the Toronto Raptors, and Danny Wolf is putting up 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Brooklyn Nets.
Veterans such as Vladislav Goldin (Miami Heat) and Tre Donaldson (also with the Heat) are adding 8 points and 6.3 rebounds, and 17 points with 4.5 assists respectively, while Tarris Reed Jr. is double‑digit in both points and rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs.
Hunter Dickinson continues his two‑way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds, whereas Colin Castleton is navigating a two‑way deal with the Orlando Magic, showing a mixed performance that could influence his future contract.
Looking ahead
As the league moves toward regular‑season commitments, the Wolverines’ alumni will be watching closely how these summer minutes translate into guaranteed contracts.