Izaiyah Nelson’s first NBA stop comes with a little extra meaning.
When the Orlando Magic open their 2026 NBA Summer League schedule Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas, Nelson will be part of a roster that blends familiar names with fresh ones. For the 51st pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it’s the start of his pro career. But it also feels like a return.
Nelson spent a significant part of his childhood around Orlando, and the connection hit him the moment the Magic made him the pick.
"It was very emotional," Nelson said about landing with the Magic. "Because, like I told the coaching staff, my great-grandma, she stayed 10 minutes down the street.
And so, it was just like having them pick me, and me coming here as a kid growing up all the time, it was just like, 'Dang, I'm actually playing for the Orlando Magic.’ I would have never thought this dream would come true.
"And then, also, only living playing basketball an hour and a half away," Nelson added. "I still got USF fans texting me saying, 'We're going to come to every Orlando game now since you're only an hour away.’ And so, it's just like, it's good to be in that community and see the impact that I made in year one at USF."
Nelson’s final college season came at the University of South Florida, where he started 34 games and put up 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. That production helped get him here, and now he’s trying to translate it into the next level.
So far, the early signs have been encouraging. As the Magic have spent the days before their opener practicing and preparing, Nelson’s energy and motor have stood out.
The message from the coaching staff is simple: keep doing what got him here.
"Really just bringing the same energy, like with the things that I do in college," Nelson said. "Just bring a lot of energy, have a high motor, be a pesky defender, and grab every rebound that I can.
So, it's just like, that's pretty easy. I've been doing that for the last four years, and so it's like, why change it now?"
The Magic will have four Summer League games to sort out roles and give players a chance to show they belong. For Nelson, the path is clear: play hard, stay active and keep making his case.
In Other News...
Franz Wagner Just Sent A Clear Message About The Magics Future
The Magics offseason has already been defined by change, and Franz Wagner is making it clear the next phase has to be about more than just a new voice on the sideline. After a frustrating finish that included inconsistent play and another missed playoff opportunity, Orlando moved on from Jamahl Mosley and brought in Sean Sweeney, giving the roster a fresh start and putting the spotlight on how the team wants to operate going forward.
Wagner, one of the franchises most important players, has been leaning into that reset by pushing for a culture built on accountability, urgency and sharper execution. He is also working his way back from injury as he prepares for next season, and the message from him is hard to miss: the Magic cannot afford to drift through another year of uneven habits if they want to take the next step. [Read more 🡒]
Desmond Bane Just Put Pressure On The Magic Core
The end of Orlandos season still hangs over everything, especially after a Game 7 loss that followed a 3-1 series lead and left the group facing the same uncomfortable question: what comes next for a talented core that has not yet turned promise into progress. With Sean Sweeney taking over, the message around the team has shifted toward discipline and accountability, and that tone is already showing up in the way the players are talking about the offseason.
Desmond Bane has been among the voices reinforcing that standard, pointing to accountability, discipline and energy as the areas that matter most now. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have echoed that same urgency in their own way, which suggests this is bigger than one coachs talking point. For the Magic, the challenge is no longer just about talent or potential, but about building the habits that keep a season from slipping away when the margin gets tight. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Summer League Win Took A Sudden Turn Fans Noticed
The Magics first Las Vegas Summer League game ended in an 86-74 loss to the Hornets, but there were still a few individual performances worth noting for Orlando. Noah Penda led the way with 23 points and brought the kind of two-way energy the team wants to see in this setting, while second-round pick Izaiyah Nelson made his debut and finished with two points in 15 minutes.
Jase Richardson added 15 points, giving Orlando another useful scoring option before the game took a sudden turn late. The bigger concern now is how the Magic handle the aftermath, since Richardsons night ended with a hard fall that left his status worth watching as the team moves deeper into Summer League play. [Read more 🡒]