Several former Kentucky standouts head to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League

The NBA’s 2025 Summer League in Las Vegas tips off Thursday, and Kentucky basketball fans will have an opportunity to watch several former Wildcats attempt to advance their fledgling pro careers.

At least 13 ex-Cats were rostered as of Tuesday for Summer League play, which takes place Thursday through July 20 on the campus of UNLV.

Mark Pope’s rookies

Five stars from Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in Mark Pope’s first season as head coach are scheduled to be in Vegas — Koby Brea (Phoenix), Lamont Butler (Atlanta), Andrew Carr (Portland), Jaxson Robinson (Cleveland) and Amari Williams (Boston).

Brea and Williams were chosen in the second round of this year’s NBA draft. The other three players joined Summer League rosters as undrafted free agents hoping to secure a permanent roster spot.

Before his first professional appearance in Vegas, Williams told NBA.com last week that he’s already looking forward to training camp this fall.

“It’s fun just being able to learn from the older guys, the vets, who’ve been here for quite a while,” Williams said. “Just kind of being a sponge and kind of learning as the season goes on, so it’ll be a fun year.”

Williams and Boston take the floor for the first time in Vegas on Friday (4 p.m. EDT, NBA TV). Butler and the Hawks face Miami the same day (4:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Robinson’s first game with Cleveland is Thursday at 5 p.m. (NBA TV) against Indiana. Brea and the Suns get started against Washington on Friday (9 p.m., ESPN). Also Friday, Carr and the Blazers face Golden State (11 p.m., ESPN2).

Calipari’s final UK crew

Four members of Kentucky’s 2023-24 squad, the final UK team coached by John Calipari, are back for their second bite of the Summer League apple.

Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, and Rob Dillingham, the No. 8 pick, will take the floor for the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.

Both ex-Cats saw limited floor time during their debut seasons as rookies on veteran-laden playoff rosters.

Sheppard, the former North Laurel High School standout and Kentucky Mr. Basketball, played in 52 games, averaging 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes per outing.

Dillingham took part in 49 games, averaging 4.5 points, 1.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 10.5 minutes per game.

The Vegas Summer League gets underway Thursday with Dillingham’s Timberwolves facing New Orleans at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2). Sheppard’s Rockets debut Friday at 10 p.m. against the Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN+).

Justin Edwards, who was not drafted after his one season at Kentucky, appeared in 44 games for the Philadelphia 76ers as a rookie on a two-way contract who eventually played his way into the Sixers’ rotation.

Recently, Edwards signed a new three-year contract, with two of those years guaranteed, and will reportedly make $2 million next season.

He said the difference between his first Summer League and his second is immense.

“This time last year, I went in trying to prove a point, and I didn’t feel like I was playing at my best,” Edwards told the Philly Voice last week. “Just going in there and playing free and just doing what I can.”

As a rookie in the regular season, Edwards appeared in 44 games for the Sixers and made 26 starts. He averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.3 minutes per game.

His attitude has shifted entering this week in Las Vegas. He told the Philly Voice about his Summer League goals.

“Just trying to be an all-around player. One of my goals is to try to get two offensive rebounds every game. I do that, that’s more opportunity for our team. Being a vocal guy, playing defense and all that stuff. Just trying to be the leader on the court so everybody else can follow after me.”

Joining Edwards on the 76ers’ summer squad is former Morehead State and Auburn standout Johni Broome, a second-round pick in this year’s draft.

Philadelphia opened play Saturday by taking part in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Edwards contributed 13 points and three rebounds in 30 minutes of action against Utah. Broome played 24 minutes and put up 13 points and five boards. On Monday night, Edwards scored 11 and Broome six against Oklahoma City.

The Sixers open play in Las Vegas on Thursday, taking on San Antonio (10 p.m., ESPN).

Antonio Reeves, who spent his rookie season with New Orleans before being released last week, will get another run at Summer League with the Pelicans, this time trying to win back his roster spot.

Reeves, who played two seasons at UK after transferring from Illinois State, saw action in 44 games for New Orleans last season, averaging 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15 minutes per game.

One additional member of Calipari’s final Kentucky team — Adiou Thiero — is a rookie in the Summer League representing the Los Angeles Lakers. Thiero, who transferred to Arkansas for his final season of college basketball, was a second-round selection in this year’s NBA draft.

Digging deeper into the past

Three additional former Wildcats, who were teammates on the 2021-22 squad, will also take part in the Vegas Summer League.

Jacob Toppin, who played three seasons at UK from 2020-23, will join Butler on the Atlanta Hawks summer roster.

Toppin has appeared in 26 NBA games with New York and Atlanta across two seasons.

Keion Brooks Jr., who played two seasons at Washington after leaving Kentucky, will join Reeves on the Pelicans’ summer roster. He played in 14 games as a rookie for New Orleans, averaging 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 23.4 minutes per outing.

Lance Ware, who transferred to Villanova and then to Texas-Arlington after exiting Lexington, was not drafted this year but has found an opportunity with the New York Knicks’ summer squad.

Chris Livingston, who played for UK in 2022-23 before being drafted in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks, was listed on the team’s Summer League roster announced last week then was released. There’s no word yet on whether, like Reeves, Livingston will play summer ball anyway.