The NBA Summer League is about to open its doors, and eight former Alabama players are in the mix trying to make the most of it. The first games begin Friday, with action spread across the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer League before the main Las Vegas Summer League gets rolling next Thursday.
At the top of the list is Labaron Philon, the newest pro in the group and the one drawing the most attention. Philadelphia took him with the No. 22 pick, and he’s set to make his Sixers debut on Thursday, July 9th against the Detroit Pistons at 4:30 CT on Prime Video.
The 76ers won’t be in California or Utah, so Las Vegas will be Philon’s first chance to show what he can do in front of an NBA audience. He’ll be trying to carve out a real role as a rookie, even after recent Sixers moves brought in Jaylen Brown in a trade and Anfernee Simons in free agency.
Philon won’t be the only former Tide player making a debut in Vegas that night. Latrell Wrightsell, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Charlotte after going undrafted, is also set for his first run with the Hornets.
Charlotte faces the Orlando Magic on Thursday at 6:30 CT on Prime Video, and Wrightsell will be looking to do enough to put himself in the conversation for a two-way contract, whether it comes from the Hornets or another team. In Summer League, every team is watching.
Houston Mallette is another Alabama name worth tracking. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he would chase a pro path or stay on as a graduate assistant on Nate Oats’ staff, and coaching still seems like a likely future for him.
For now, though, he’s taking his shot with Chicago. The Bulls open in Vegas next Friday night against the Grizzlies at 7pm CT on Prime Video, in one of the showcase games to kick off the slate.
Mark Sears is back in the Summer League mix as well, this time with Denver. He spent most of last season with the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League team and made seven appearances with the NBA club.
Now he’s trying to turn another Summer League run into a two-way contract and a bigger NBA opportunity. The Nuggets open against the Houston Rockets on Friday, July 10th at 5:30 Central on ESPN.
Chris Youngblood already knows what a Summer League breakthrough can look like. Last year he impressed with Oklahoma City, turned that into a two-way deal, and wound up playing 34 NBA games last season between the Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers.
He also averaged 23 points per game in the G-League. The Thunder liked him, but once he ran out of call-ups without having his contract converted, he ended up in Portland.
Now he’s back in Vegas with the Blazers, who open against the Phoenix Suns next Friday night at 10pm CT on ESPNU.
Grant Nelson is heading into his second Summer League with Brooklyn. He spent most of last season with the Nets’ G-League affiliate, but also appeared in four NBA games.
This summer gives him another chance to take a step forward. The Nets start the California Classic on July 4th against the Sacramento Kings at 4pm CT on Prime Video/NBA TV.
Alex Reese will suit up for Indiana after spending the last few years in the G-League with the Rip City Remix, Portland’s affiliate. The Pacers open the Las Vegas Summer League against the Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN2 at 3:30 on Saturday, July 10th.
Kira Lewis Jr. rounds out the group. A former lottery pick, he’s likely looking at his last NBA shot in Summer League with Milwaukee.
He’s still only 25, but he’s entering his seventh professional season and hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2023-24 with the Utah Jazz. Injuries have piled up, and while a G-League spot still seems possible, his NBA days appear to be behind him.
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