Six former Michigan basketball players competing in NBA Summer League
Six former Michigan Wolverines basketball players are set to compete in the NBA 2K25 Summer League 2024, including one rookie in forward Olivier Nkamhoua, who went undrafted last month but was picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers for the games in Las Vegas.
The Summer League regular season will run from July 12-22. Each team will play at least five games, including four from July 12-19. After each team plays four games, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The two semifinal games will take place on July 21. The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the July 22 championship game. The four playoff teams will be determined by winning percentage in each team’s first four games.
Here’s a look at the six Michigan representatives in Las Vegas.
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Kobe Bufkin — Atlanta Hawks
The second-year guard dealt with injuries his rookie season, so he only played in 17 contests off the bench, averaging 11.5 minutes per night. He put up 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per outing in the NBA and also spent some time in the G League.
While Bufkin is on the Hawks’ Summer League roster, he’s been ruled out of the event after injuring his right shoulder during Tuesday evening’s (July 9) practice. He’s expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Fri., 7/12 | Washington Wizards | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Sun., 7/14 | San Antonio Spurs | 5:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Mon., 7/17 | Los Angeles Lakers | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Wed., 7/19 | Chicago Bulls | 3:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
Moussa Diabate — Los Angeles Clippers
He recorded 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 11 appearances off the bench for the Clippers, who lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. He put up 15.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per clash in the G League.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Fri., 7/12 | Denver Nuggets | 7 p.m. | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
Sun., 7/14 | Brooklyn Nets | 1 p.m. | 4 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Tue., 7/16 | Milwaukee Bucks | 7 p.m. | 10 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Thu., 7/18 | Utah Jazz | 7 p.m. | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
Zavier Simpson — Charlotte Hornets
The former Michigan point guard averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in four outings for the Charlotte Hornets during the California Classic in Sacramento earlier this month. He’s carrying that momentum into the games in Las Vegas, where he’ll look to earn a full-time NBA roster spot.
Simpson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies late last season and saw action in seven games. He put up 6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 23 minutes per clash.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Sat., 7/13 | New York Knicks | 2 p.m. | 8 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Tue., 7/16 | Denver Nuggets | 3 p.m. | 6 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Wed., 7/17 | Boston Celtics | 2:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
Fri., 7/19 | Portland Trail Blazers | 8 p.m. | 11 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Colin Castleton — Los Angeles Lakers
The former Michigan (2018-20) and Florida (2020-23) forward saw time in 16 tilts for the Lakers as a rookie last season. He totaled 24 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists in 59 minutes.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Fri., 7/12 | Houston Rockets | 4:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Mon., 7/15 | Boston Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
Wed., 7/17 | Atlanta Hawks | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Thu., 7/18 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 6 p.m. | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
Jett Howard — Orlando Magic
As a rookie, Howard competed in 18 regular-season clashes, compiling 29 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in 67 minutes. He also put up 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per night in 29 G League outings.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Fri., 7/12 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1 p.m. | 4 p.m. | NBA TV |
Sun., 7/14 | New Orleans Pelicans | 4:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
Wed., 7/17 | Memphis Grizzlies | 4 p.m. | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Thu., 7/18 | Brooklyn Nets | 5 p.m. | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
Olivier Nkamhoua — Portland Trail Blazers
Nkamhoua, who’s entering his rookie season after he missed the end of Michigan’s 2023-24 season with a wrist injury, also made the final 12-man roster for Team Finland, which bowed out in the semifinals of its qualifying tournament in Spain and Greece, losing to Spain 81-74. Nkamhoua had 6 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 turnovers in the loss. The former Michigan forward averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest in three games in the qualifiers.
Date | Opponent | Local time | Eastern time | TV |
Sat., 7/13 | San Antonio Spurs | 6 p.m. | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Mon., 7/15 | Philadelphia 76ers | 5:30 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
Tue., 7/16 | Washington Wizards | 5:30 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
Fri., 7/19 | Charlotte Hornets | 8 p.m. | 11 p.m. | ESPN2 |