NBA Summer League action is right around the corner, which means that a handful of former Tar Heels will be competing to earn a roster spot for the upcoming season.
This event has served as a jump-start for guys looking to take the next step in their careers. Whether they went undrafted and are looking to find a home, or are veteran players who haven't been able to secure a full commitment from an NBA team, these games are important for players as they battle for their professional basketball lives.
While rosters for this year's event are still being finalized, it's already been confirmed that some of your Tar Heel favorites will be competing. Three Tar Heels from last season's roster (Seth Trimble, Henri Veesaar, and Caleb Wilson) are all expected to participate for their respective teams, while some veterans, such as Leaky Black and RJ Davis, are listed on rosters as they aim for an NBA roster spot this upcoming season.
Check out the list below to find out which teams will have some former Tar Heels on their rosters for the 2026 NBA Summer League. It's important to note that the guys competing in the 2026 California Classic are also likely to compete in NBA Summer League action as well. We will update our list as more information rolls in.
Former Tar Heels competing in the 2026 California Classic
Brooklyn Nets
Drake Powell
Milwaukee Bucks
Pete Nance
Cormac Ryan
San Antonio Spurs
RJ Davis
Former Tar Heels competing in the 2026 NBA Summer League
Atlanta Hawks
Henri Veesaar
Chicago Bulls
Caleb Wilson
Washington Wizards
Leaky Black
Seth Trimble
How does the NBA Summer League work?
The NBA Summer League is broken up into three separate events.
To get the action started, the following events are held over the first week:
- California Classic (two locations):Â July 3-6
- Salt Lake City Summer League:Â July 4, 6-7
Following the conclusion of those two smaller events, the real action begins starting on July 9. All games for NBA Summer League are set to be played in Las Vegas.
- 2026 NBA Summer League (Las Vegas):Â July 9-19
Check out this link to find the schedule for the 2026 NBA Summer League, and mark your calendars to ensure that you don't miss any of your favorite former Tar Heels in action!
Henri Veesaar's NBA rookie contract proves he actually made the right decision
The exposure of summer league action is the big draw with this annual event. There are guys (such as Caleb Wilson) who don't need to earn their spot, but for others, it's a prime opportunity to play in front of NBA scouts from across the league.
Even if you don't make the roster for the team you're competing with, there's a chance that another franchise will be impressed with what you have to bring to the table and could possibly take a chance on you.
In this event, you'll see guys laying it all out on the floor. Quite frankly, this is a monumental opportunity for them in their respective NBA careers as they battle it out with some of the best talent around to secure either standard NBA contracts or opportunities to earn two-way or G League deals.
Dreams will be on full display during the NBA Summer League, and some former Tar Heels have a lot to prove as they look to take the next step in their professional basketball journeys.
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