Rienk Mast’s summer league debut with the Indiana Pacers turned heads as the former Nebraska standout posted a double‑double in his first game. The Pacers secured a 99‑93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Mast finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
A Debut to Remember in Las Vegas
The performance marked a promising start for Mast, who entered the league undrafted but earned a free‑agent contract with Indiana. His 16 points and 11 rebounds not only highlighted his versatility but also underscored the Pacers’ confidence in the former Big Ten standout.
Mast’s college career at Nebraska was defined by consistency and production. Over his final season he averaged 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, scoring in double figures on 24 occasions and reaching the 20‑point mark five times. A two‑time All‑Big Ten honoree, he left college as one of the most decorated players in program history.
The Pacers are not the only former Husker making noise in the summer circuit. Sam Hoiberg, Josiah Allick and Brice Williams have each signed free‑agent deals with the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons respectively, joining Mast as four Nebraska alumni scattered across the league’s developmental showcase.
Next Test Against Philadelphia
The Pacers’ next outing will pit them against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. The game represents the first opportunity for Mast and his teammates to test their chemistry against a veteran‑laden roster from the Eastern Conference.
Despite falling outside the draft, Mast says his focus remains on hard work and doing his job on the court. ‘I’m just trying to prove that I belong here,’ he said after the win, a sentiment that resonates with many undrafted players hoping to carve out a professional career.