No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe will compete in Las Vegas after turning heads during the Salt Lake City Summer League.
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Beginning Thursday through July 20, the NBA’s next generation of prospects will showcase their skill sets at the NBA 2K26 Summer League. Here are the 15 players to watch heading into Las Vegas.
Players are listed in alphabetical order:
1. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Projected as a top 3 pick, Bailey was taken No. 5 overall by the Jazz. Bailey is an elite scorer and brings pro-level length to Utah with a strong upside of becoming an elite defender. In Bailey’s second game in the Salt Lake City Summer League against the Grizzlies, he totaled 18 points and seven rebounds while shooting 50% from the field. Expect a lot of eyes to be geared towards Bailey in Las Vegas.
2. Walter Clayton Jr., Utah Jazz
The Jazz acquired No. 18 pick Walter Clayton Jr. in a trade with the Wizards. Clayton Jr. is a dynamic player who shows signs of a strong outside game. He shoots the three-ball efficiently and has high-level shot creation ability. He is also a downhill player who can get to the rim with his athleticism and create open shots with his playmaking. In his final Summer League game in Salt Lake City, Clayton Jr. finished with 20 points and four assists against the Thunder.
3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe’s two-way ability made him an appealing prospect for the Sixers. His high-level athleticism and strong defensive presence make him a scary rookie to match up against. The No. 3 pick is smooth in transition with an ability to make acrobatic shots around the rim. In his Summer League debut, Edgecombe scored 28 points with 10 rebounds and four assists against the Jazz.
4. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Fears is a shifty downhill guard that causes problems around the rim. His versatility around the rim makes it easy for him to draw fouls and get to his spots. Fears has a strong spot-up game that helps him create shots for himself and make plays for others.
5. Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz
Filipowski will return to the 2K Summer League after putting up great performances in Salt Lake City. In his first game, Filipowski finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds. In his rookie season, he averaged 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 50% overall. Filipowski can score on all three levels, has a strong paint presence, can shoot from deep and has an eye for finding open teammates.
6. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Standing at 6-foot-8, the No. 1 pick out of Duke brings elite defensive versatility in the paint while also locking up the perimeter. Flagg’s scoring ability led him to become Duke’s go-to player in the clutch. He causes havoc offensively as a three-level scorer, leading fast breaks and using his athleticism and quickness to get to his spots on the floor. The Mavs have added a valuable piece to their already heavy-hitting rotation.
7. Rasheer Fleming, Phoenix Suns
The Suns acquired No. 31 pick Fleming in a trade with the Wolves. Fleming is a versatile player who shows upside as a catch-and-shoot player while also being a defensive stopper. He is capable of becoming a lob finisher with his athleticism and a threat in ball screens. Defensively, he can serve as weak-side help while guarding multiple positions.
8.Yang Hansen, Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers acquired No. 16 pick Yang Hansen in a trade with the Grizzlies. Yang is an intriguing rookie that the Blazers are taking a chance on. He has unique playmaking and scoring abilities for a player his size. At 7-foot-1, Hansen can run and stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter.
9. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
The No. 2 pick out of Rutgers brings a lot of playmaking ability to San Antonio. Harper is an athletic guard who uses his size in 1-on-1 situations and can be a slithery finisher at the rim. He has a natural feel for the game with the vision to find open teammates. Harper sat out the California Classic due to a groin injury. His status for Las Vegas is still unknown.
10. Bronny James, Los Angeles Lakers
Bronny James is playing in his second Summer League and is showing immense improvement from last season. He scored 10 points against the Heat, shooting 2-for-5 on 3-pointers. James uses athleticism to get downhill and has a defensive presence with rim protection. He is also growing more confident from behind the arc, which makes him a captivating player returning to Las Vegas.
11. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
The No. 4 pick was seen as an all-around player at Duke, but Knueppel’s sharpshooting ability makes him have an immediate impact on the Hornets. Knueppel also has a great pace for the game in the paint and can get to his spots when needed. Expect Knueppel’s shooting touch to be on full display in Las Vegas.
12. Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
Standing at 7-foot-2, the No. 10 pick shows tremendous upside as a premier shot blocker in the NBA. Maluach’s size and length help shrink the floor for offenses. The big man shows glass-cleaning abilities, aggressive rebounding and catching lob passes.
13. Asa Newell, Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks acquired No. 23 pick Asa Newell in a trade with the Pelicans. Newell is a strong finisher with a smooth mid-range game. Defensively, he’s athletic and versatile enough to guard all five positions. Newell is also a hustle rebounder, showing grit around the glass. He has the chance to make an impact on both sides of the floor.
14. Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans acquired No. 11 pick Derick Queen in a trade with the Hawks. Queen is a compelling driver who uses his frame to finish with creativity. He also has a crafty post game attacking his defender downhill with intent. Queen has an impressive playmaking ability for a non-guard and shows upside of becoming an elite passer.
15. Cole Swider, Los Angeles Lakers
Cole Swider is an underrated prospect coming into Summer League. He’s spent time in the G League and has had his fair share of time in the NBA. At 26 years old, Swider is a 6-foot-9 sharpshooting forward. He has a great feel for the game, moving without the ball to get to his spots and raising over the top of defenders to create shots for himself. Swider put together compelling performances in the California Classic. He scored a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds, shooting 6-for-8 on 3-pointers vs. the Warriors. Swider is an intriguing player to watch in Las Vegas as he tries to secure a contract with the Lakers.