Hear from the deep and talented rookie class as they compete in Las Vegas Summer League.
LAS VEGAS — NBA Summer League provided fans with the first glimpses of players from the 2026 NBA Draft and the talent did not disappoint. From matchups of the top prospects to second-round sleepers like Meleek Thomas making a name for himself, those 10 days of Summer League gave a peek into the future of these rising stars.
The Golden State Warriors left as Summer League champions, and their rookie, Yaxel Lendeborg, looks every bit the plug-and-play big that coach Steve Kerr and his team need. Top overall pick AJ Dybantsa only played two games, both of which were enough to get Wizards fans excited about the future.
Here’s a look at how every player in the lottery performed at NBA Summer League.
1. AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
Dybantsa only played two games at Summer League before shutting it down, but the glimpses of his potential were on full display. The 6-foot-9 prospect — and what can do with the ball in his hands — is an intriguing prospect and someone Trae Young was excited to watch in action (he and several other Wizards players sat courtside for his first game). Dybantsa had one of the best dunks of the tournament when he elevated in transition and put a Jazz player on a poster, but it’s how quickly he can break down the game and adjust that stands out the most. Dybantsa averaged 25.2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in NBA Summer League.
2. Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz
Peterson showed up with something to prove after a lackluster freshman season at Kansas. Before Summer League, Peterson put on a show for the home crowd at the Salt Lake City Summer League and had some momentum coming into Las Vegas. His matchup with Dybantsa wasn’t anything new, after the pair had gone head-to-head three times before the first game of Summer League. The Wizards won, but Peterson showed off his shot-creation and why he was the first two-way guard taken off the board in a deep 2026 NBA Draft. In five Summer League games, Peterson posted 20.7 ppg, 4 apg, 1 spg and 1.3 bpg in 28 minutes per game.
3. Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies
Relive Cameron Boozer’s top plays of the 2026 NBA Summer League.
Boozer is a walking double-double threat anytime he hits the court and the NBA’s physicality doesn’t appear to be a problem for the 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward. He’s won at every level in his young career and did all the little things during the marquee matchups to show why he was a top-3 pick. Boozer played in eight Summer League games and was named to the All-Summer League First Team after averaging 18.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.8 spg.
4. Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls
Check out Caleb Wilson’s top plays of the 2026 NBA Summer League.
Wilson was sidelined for five months with a broken thumb and was looking forward to his first game back. On Day 2 of Summer League, he matched up against Boozer (his former AAU teammate) and the game came down to the wire. Wilson set the record for the most points in a Las Vegas Summer League debut by scoring 35 points on July 11 against the Memphis Grizzlies. He hit seven 3-pointers while also adding six rebounds and three blocks. Wilson played in four Summer League games before shutting it down, but his two-way ability, length and athleticism are a bright spot for the rebuilding Bulls.
5. Keaton Wagler, LA Clippers
Wagler took a game or two to adjust and get comfortable. Once he settled in, it became apparent why he was a top-5 Draft pick. The rangy 6-foot-6 guard showed his shot-creation off the bounce, which makes him an offensive threat. He scored 18 points in the third quarter against the Jazz on July 12 and finished with 26 in a win. Wagler still has room to grow into his game but should complement Darius Garland nicely in the backcourt once he adds a little weight to his frame and adjusts to the NBA pace.
6. Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn Nets
Brown dealt with a lingering back injury during his one year at Louisville, but looked healthy and recovered at Summer League. The 6-foot-5 guard was great alongside Egor Dёmin as the duo played well in the Summer League backcourt. Brown played three games for the Nets and had the hot hand at times in the second half. Overall, in Las Vegas he posted 16.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 4 apg and 1.7 spg while shooting 39.5% overall and 33.3% on 3-pointers in 22.5 mpg.
7. Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings
Acuff was college basketball’s best point guard in 2025-26 and is the lead guard to watch in this class given the way he can impact a game. Although he struggled early on in Summer League with his jump shot, he found his rhythm offensively and had some bright spots in the five games he played. His defense has improved and once he started to create separation more fluidly on offense, his shot started to fall. Acuff averaged 19 ppg, 5.3 apg and 1.3 rebounds in 27.4 mpg in Las Vegas.
8. Kingston Flemings, Atlanta Hawks
Flemings played two games in Salt Lake City and two games in Las Vegas for Summer League. He plays bigger than his listed 6-foot-3 size and is one of the best two-way guards in this draft class. Flemings showed flashes of what he can be as a playmaker (6.5 apg in Vegas), but his inconsistent shot is a glaring area of improvement as he enters 2026-27. The bright spot to his game remains the playmaking, recording 27 assists to just nine turnovers in four games across Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
9. Morez Johnson Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg was sitting courtside for two of Johnson’s games at Summer League and might be excited about what Johnson brings defensively. Johnson’s footwork in drop coverage off the pick-and-roll is elite and he’s showing signs of an improved jumper as a pick-and-pop threat. He only hit one 3-pointer in the two games he played in at Summer League, but Johnson has the physicality to match up with NBA bigs. He could be the glue guy for the Mavericks this season.
10. Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks
Take a look at some of Brayden Burries’ best plays from the 2026 NBA Summer League.
Burries was named to the All-Summer League First Team after posting 23.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg and 2 spg while shooting 50% overall and 36.4% on 3-pointers. He appeared in four games for the Bucks and was instrumental in second-half comebacks. Burries’ patience on offense and rotated well on defense, jumping the passing lane and getting deflections.
11. Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors
The Association looks at Yaxel Lendeborg’s run to Summer League MVP and how he can help Golden State in 2026-27.
Lendeborg was named the overall Summer League MVP (and the Summer League Championship game MVP) after he led the Warriors to a title and averaged 14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 4 apg. At 6-foot-9, he is an inside-outside big and can defend every position on the court. In the championship game against the Memphis Grizzlies, his double-double fueled the win (21 points, 10 rebounds) while also adding two assists and two steals.
12. Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder
The 7-foot-3 center played five Summer League games (two in Salt Lake City, three in Las Vegas) before shutting it down. His timing as a shot blocker was off and he struggled with his footwork on screens when hedging the guard on the perimeter. He’ll have the time and patience to develop in Oklahoma City, playing behind All-Star Chet Holmgren and veteran Isaiah Hartenstein. In Las Vegas, Mara averaged 8.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 3.7 apg in 24.7 mpg.
13. Nate Ament, Milwaukee Bucks
Ament took half a season to really get into his rhythm at Tennessee. It looks like he’ll need some time to adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA as well. There was nothing flashy about his time on the court and he has potential given his size and other attributes. But it hasn’t fully come together yet. Ament posted 11.2 ppg in five games, with his 23-point, six-rebound game vs. Charlotte serving as his best of the summer.
14. Hannes Steinbach, Charlotte Hornets
Steinbach recorded three double-doubles in five games. He notably logged back-to-back 20-point double-doubles in his final two matchups and finished at 15.8 ppg and 9.2 rpg in 24.3 mpg. The 6-foot-10 center has almost magnetic hands, catching impossible passes through traffic while running the floor well for his size. Steinbach showcased his budding 3-point jumper and pick-and-pop potential, making him a potential new offensive threat for the Hornets.
