The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas served as a proving ground for several recent college standouts, with four former Iowa Hawkeyes making their mark among the rosters of Western Conference contenders.
Brendan Hausen, the sharpshooting guard, delivered a standout performance for the Memphis Grizzlies, pouring in 20 points on 7‑of‑9 shooting and 6‑of‑8 from beyond the arc, helping his team roll past the Golden State Warriors 106‑85.
In contrast, the Oklahoma City Thunder fell 106‑103 to the Denver Nuggets, yet their rookie trio — Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix — each turned in solid numbers that hinted at future contributions.
Stirtz paced the Thunder with 22 points, adding six assists and a block, while Sandfort chipped in 19 points after shooting 50 percent inside the arc during 27 minutes off the bench. Dix contributed 14 points, six rebounds and a block, starting alongside Stirtz for the second consecutive game.
A Glimpse of Future Impact
The outings underscore a growing belief that the Thunder’s young core can translate college success into NBA readiness, even as the team adjusts to the rigors of summer competition.
For Hausen, the performance not only reinforced his reputation as a reliable three‑point threat but also positioned him as a key piece in Memphis’s plans for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the Thunder’s coaching staff will likely monitor the trio’s development closely, using the summer games as a laboratory for evaluating fit within the roster.