Stars to Watch at the 2026 NBA Summer League

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July 11, 2026
Professional Sports Sports

The 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas promises to showcase emerging talent. Rookies have historically been the ones to watch, as demonstrated last year when Kon Knueppel led the Charlotte Hornets to victory and earned the Championship Game MVP. Knueppel continued this success into the regular season, guiding the Hornets to their first winning season in four years and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting.

Summer League rosters include second-year players, G League prospects, undrafted free agents, and overseas professionals. Yet, the highlight is this year’s impressive draft class. Here are five rookies expected to make an impact:

AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards: Dybantsa enters Las Vegas as the No. 1 overall pick and the most anticipated player of his class. Known for his stellar high school performance, he excelled at BYU, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Shooting 51% from the field and 33.1% from deep, he is a formidable 6-foot-9 forward with a versatile game likened to Kevin Durant. Summer League will test his transition to the professional level.
Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz: Peterson, drafted No. 2 by Utah, had a remarkable freshman season at Kansas. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 43.8% overall and 38.2% from three-point range. At 6-foot-6, he’s drawn comparisons to elite scorers like Devin Booker. His recent performance at the Salt Lake City Summer League has set high expectations.
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls: Wilson stands at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan. After arriving at UNC as a five-star recruit, he surpassed all expectations by averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. With honors like consensus second-team All-American, Wilson offers incredible potential, particularly with his near 40-inch vertical leap.
Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings: Acuff was part of a notable group of freshman guards drafted early. At Arkansas, he dominated with 23.5 points per game and led the SEC in assists. An elite shooter with notable range, Acuff has proven he can handle leadership roles. Las Vegas will be critical for Acuff to justify a higher draft placement.
Labaron Philon Jr., Philadelphia 76ers: Philon was a draft steal at No. 22, following a strong season at Alabama with 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. His first-team All-SEC honors are indicative of his caliber. Known for his exciting gameplay, Philon will have an opportunity to shine in the Summer League despite playing behind seasoned players.