Latest news with #SaltLakeCitySummerLeague
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey help introduce Nike Giannis Freak 7 in commercial
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey appeared in a new Nike commercial alongside Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Harper and Bailey helped promote the release of the Freak 7, the latest signature shoe created for the two-time NBA MVP with a new 'ANTETOKOUNMPO' traction pattern. The installment is expected to be available globally online and in select retail locations on July 29. The two players signed name, image and likeness deals with Nike last year at Rutgers. They are among several first-round picks who have signed with a brand, joining Cooper Flagg (New Balance), VJ Edgecombe (Adidas) and Kon Knueppel (Jordan Brand), among others. Harper debuted with the Spurs in the NBA Summer League, averaging 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal on 35.7% shooting from the field. The No. 2 pick dealt with a minor groin injury and was shut down by the team after two appearances. Bailey, the fifth pick, posted averages of 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists with the Jazz in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Like Harper, he was limited to two appearances because of a hip injury and didn't suit up for the team in Las Vegas, Nevada. After strong freshman campaigns with the Scarlet Knights, Harper and Bailey established themselves as top-five picks this year. They enter the upcoming season with tremendous hype and will do so, having appeared in a new commercial for Nike.
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul George retracts previous statement on Ace Bailey: 'He wants to do it his way'
"[Ace Bailey] wants to do it his way … I hate being that person to be like, 'Oh you should've done this.' Everybody has their own path.''PG opens up on how Ace handled his pre-draft process. After previously criticizing Ace Bailey for his handling of team workouts before the 2025 NBA draft, Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George offered a retraction of those comments. Bailey orchestrated a rumor-filled predraft process that left some doubt about where he would end up after canceling a workout with the 76ers and turning down other invitations, including one from the Utah Jazz. He was the only U.S.-based prospect who didn't attend any workouts. The 18-year-old was the consensus choice to be the third or fourth pick before eventually falling to the Jazz at No. 5. George initially questioned his decision to cancel workouts, but the nine-time All-Star, speaking on "Podcast P" this week, now has a different take on the situation. I want to kind of retract what I said. How can we get on a kid that kind of knows what he wants? We're not in his shoes. He wants to do it his way. He is good enough. He has got the talent. He is going to go where he wants to go. That is his decision. It could have backfired, but it didn't. He is still in a great situation. He still gets to showcase what he could do. He had a great game, too. He went crazy. He showed his potential, a flash of it. Bailey denied ever considering not reporting to the team and stated he is eager to get to work with the team. He immediately hit the practice facility for a workout upon arriving in Salt Lake City and has impressed the team in the early going. The former Rutgers standout debuted with the Jazz in the Salt Lake City Summer League, averaging 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists in two games. He was limited to those two appearances because of a hip injury and didn't suit up for the team in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bailey, who has drawn comparisons to George, is highly touted for his size, overall skill set and ability to impact games on both ends of the court. He projects to have a bright future and appears content with putting the predraft process behind him and contributing to the organization.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN insider reveals honest projection for Thunder guard Nikola Topić
Bobby Marks relays a scout told him Nikola Topic would've been a top 5 pick in the 2025 Knueppel was drafted #4, Ace Bailey at #5 and Tre Johnson at # After missing all of last season with a knee injury, guard Nikola Topić has impressed in a limited sample size in summer league with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Topić debuted in the Salt Lake City Summer League earlier this month, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 assists, three rebounds and two steals in three appearances. He is posting a similar average through three games in Las Vegas, Nevada: 11 points, 7.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals. The 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft was highly touted out of Crvena zvezda in the ABA League. He may have been projected to be selected even higher had he come out this year, a scout recently told ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks. "This was after the Utah Summer League ... I had a scout tell me (Topić) would have been a top-five pick in this year's draft," Marks recalled Tuesday on ESPN. Topić was sidelined after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left ACL suffered while playing in the ABA League Finals on May 13, 2024. He made steady progress throughout the year with the team medical staff and was cleared to debut with the Thunder in Utah. The 19-year-old was the 2024 ABA League Top Prospect, averaging 15.1 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds on 50.5% shooting from the field. He joined the likes of Nikola Jokić, Goga Bitadze and Nikola Jović as past award recipients. The Thunder appear to have identified another player who can contribute in the rotation for coach Mark Daigneault. The organization has been successful in the draft and seems to have secured its core long-term after claiming its first championship.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What former Utes star Branden Carlson learned about becoming a champion from the OKC Thunder
Branden Carlson went from undrafted free agent in June 2024 to NBA champion in June 2025. That's quite a year for the former Runnin' Utes standout, though he downplays the accomplishment when it's brought up. 'It was a lot of fun and it's a great team to be a part of,' Carlson said of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'Obviously, winning is always the goal, and so being a part of a winning team, and winning your last game of the season feels great.' Carlson wasn't on the court during the Thunder's playoff run to an NBA title — as a two-way player, he isn't eligible for postseason play — but he certainly helped the Thunder as they worked to maintain the No. 1 overall regular-season record and secure home-court advantage for the playoffs. When the Thunder ran into a rash of injuries to their frontcourt players, they brought in Carlson, who had been playing for the Toronto Raptors' G League team. After a short stint and consecutive 10-day deals, the Thunder offered Carlson a two-way contract. Then, while in Utah this past week for Salt Lake City Summer League, despite not playing in the summer showcase because of an ankle sprain, he agreed to return to the Thunder for the 2025-26 season on another two-way deal. It's not hard to see the reason that both sides are happy about this union. Carlson is learning from some of the very best players in the NBA, including the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he's seen that the Thunder deeply care about developing from within and giving players opportunities. Look no further than Lu Dort, who was also an undrafted two-way player for the Thunder before becoming the team's lead defender and a starter in every single game of its championship run. From OKC's side, Carlson is a tenacious center who plays a modern style of basketball with quick feet and the ability to stretch the floor. Frankly, he fits the bill for how the Thunder play now and want to continue to play in the future. And it doesn't matter to Carlson that two-way players aren't able to play in the playoffs, because he can't put a price tag on the lessons he's learned just being a part of a team that has been to the absolute peak of professional basketball. 'You just learn the adversity that a team can face and individuals can face and how to overcome that,' he told the Deseret News. 'You learn more about yourself and how to be a teammate. There's just so many things you can take away from just watching it and being around guys who have been there and made it happen.' Last summer, when Carlson was playing for the Raptors during Las Vegas Summer League, he'd been a little disappointed that he didn't end up on one of the four teams that played in the SLC Summer League. This summer, he was overjoyed to return to the Huntsman Center and as an NBA champion. 'I thought about it a lot last year when I was at summer league,' he said. 'So it's fun to be, part of a team that is back here, and obviously see some family and friends and be back in this arena. It's just really great.'
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jahmai Mashack starts for Memphis in win over Portland in NBA Summer League
Former Tennessee men's basketball player Jahmai Mashack started for Memphis on Saturday. Memphis defeated Portland, 96-86, in the 2K26 NBA Summer League at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. He totaled four points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 25 minutes for the Grizzlies. Mashack converted 2-of-8 field goal attempts. He missed Memphis' game against Boston on Friday due to ankle soreness. The former Vol also started the Grizzlies' final game in the Salt Lake City Summer League on July 8, a loss to Philadelphia. Mashack, a guard, was selected in the second round by Memphis with the No. 59 overall pick. He was the final pick of the 2025 NBA draft. More: Jahmai Mashack plays 23 minutes in Memphis debut The 6-foot-4, 202-pound guard played for the Vols from 2021-25. He appeared in 137 games, including 59 starts. Mashack was named as a 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Finalist and earned 2025 SEC All-Defensive Team honors. He went to Tennessee from Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
