As the NBA Summer League kicks off with its opening games on Thursday, the next 10 days will feature a mix of draft picks, G-League players, and second-year veterans who will showcase their talents in the Vegas event. This showcase serves as a critical window to get into game shape after the off-season and to leave a lasting impression on NBA franchises in hopes of earning a roster spot for the upcoming season.
Among the hopefuls are six former Florida State basketball stars looking to prove they still belong at the highest level. Darin Green Jr. recently joined the Dallas Mavericks, having spent two seasons with the Seminoles under former coach Leonard Hamilton. Known as one of the more prolific long-range shooters in college basketball, Green appeared in 64 games for Florida State. He sits at the seventh and ninth spots on the school’s all-time lists for made three-pointers and racked up double-digit scoring in 19 of his final 32 appearances, averaging 11.3 points per game. Green also gained international experience playing in Israel.
Chauncey Wiggins, standing 6-foot-10, spent his time at Florida State as one of the program’s most durable and versatile players, appearing in 105 games—the sort of seasoned veteran teams prize for leadership and consistency. Last season, Wiggins knocked down 85 three-pointers while averaging 13.3 points per game. He posted a standout performance against SMU, tallying 31 points and six triples in 37 minutes, while also showcasing his reliability at the free-throw line with an 85 percent clip.
Rob McCray V brought guard versatility to the Seminoles, able to operate at either backcourt position. As the leading scorer for Florida State last season, McCray posted about 16 points per game and earned third-team All-ACC honors for his efforts, reflecting his ability to contribute in multiple ways and to take on a prominent scoring role.
Lajae Jones contributed solid production for Florida State, averaging 12.7 points during the 2025-26 season. He delivered memorable performances in high-stakes moments, including the ACC tournament, where he averaged 21 points across two games against formidable opponents like the Cal Bears and the Duke Blue Devils. Jones also delivered a 36-point, 13-rebound outing against Georgia Southern, underscored by three blocks and three assists—a showing that highlighted his all-around impact.
John Butler Jr., who spent the 2021-22 season with Florida State as a one-and-done, averaged five points, three rebounds, and one block per game before announcing his decision to turn pro. He went on to play for the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G-League affiliate, last season, continuing his development and pursuit of a steady NBA role.
Jamir Watkins completed the Florida State quartet with a high-scoring modern guard profile. He averaged 17 points per game in the 2024-25 season and earned second-team All-ACC honors for his proficiency on both ends of the floor. In 2025, he posted a season-high 30 points against Rice and notched a season-best 11 rebounds in a game against Syracuse, underscoring his ability to contribute significantly in multiple facets of the game.
Collectively, these players embody the diverse talents and trajectories you expect to see in the Summer League: sharpshooters who can space the floor, big wings with high-level length and finishing ability, and dynamic guards capable of creating offense and setting the tone on defense. For each of them, the Summer League is more than a chance to impress—it’s an opportunity to demonstrate growth, adaptability, and readiness for the NBA grind after a long off-season. The hope is that a strong Vegas showing will translate into a spot on an NBA roster when the regular season tips off in October.
If you’re curious about how these players can translate their college and G-League success to the NBA, the Summer League provides the ideal sandbox to test skills against higher-caliber competition and to show coaches that they’re ready to contribute right away. As the action unfolds, fans and analysts will be watching closely to gauge which strengths translate most effectively at the pro level and which areas each player still needs to refine to secure a future on the hardwood.
Content Source: Yahoo News
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