​With the Las Vegas NBA Summer League action underway, how did the quartet of former Iowa basketball stars perform on Friday night? Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort, and Josh Dix are all on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Summer League roster, while Brendan Hausen suits up for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder opened their Las Vegas slate with a 96-84 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, while Hausen and the Grizzlies edged the Chicago Bulls 97-96 in a tightly contested affair.
Stirtz emerged as the brightest scoring option for Oklahoma City on Friday, finishing with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 3-for-8 from beyond the arc. He contributed in other ways too, adding two assists, one steal, and one block over 28 minutes of action. His performance provided a steady offensive spark for the Thunder, a welcome bounce-back after late-week struggles that followed a rough finish to their Salt Lake City Summer League play. Stirtz demonstrated efficiency and versatility, showcasing the ability to score from mid-range and from three-point range while staying engaged on defense.
Sandfort, who had a tougher outing in the Thunder’s final Salt Lake City game, responded with a more productive showing on Friday. He tallied 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting, including 2-for-5 from long range. In addition to his scoring, Sandfort grabbed seven rebounds in 19 minutes, underscoring his ability to contribute on the boards and crash the offensive glass. His all-around contribution helped stabilize the Thunder’s offense and provided a complementary scoring option on a night when Oklahoma City needed depth beyond its primary ball-handlers.
Dix also delivered a solid performance, recording eight points on 3-for-6 shooting, with 2-for-5 from three-point distance. In addition to his scoring output, Dix added two assists and one steal over 24 minutes. His efficiency from the floor and his ability to knock down perimeter shots helped diversify the Thunder’s offense and gave Oklahoma City another perimeter threat to attack the Lakers’ defense. Dix’s effort reflected his potential to contribute as a multi-faceted guard, capable of scoring, playmaking, and providing defensive muscle when called upon.
Hausen did not see game action on Friday as Memphis earned a narrow 97-96 victory over Chicago. The standout performance in the Grizzlies’ win came despite Hausen’s absence, leaving him idle for the night after a stellar 21-point showing earlier in the week. The decision to sit Hausen on Friday could reflect a managed workload or strategic rotation as Memphis continues its Summer League schedule, balancing development with rest to optimize his readiness for upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are back in action on Sunday, July 12, at 5 p.m. CT when they face the Golden State Warriors on Amazon Prime Video. For Memphis, the Grizzlies are scheduled to play Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. CT against the Dallas Mavericks on ESPN, continuing their Summer League campaign and offering more opportunities for Hausen to showcase his development and scoring ability.
In broader terms, the Friday performances by Stirtz, Sandfort, and Dix highlighted the value of depth and versatility in a Summer League setting. Stirtz’s 18-point night demonstrated his scoring instincts and ability to convert from three-point range, while Sandfort’s all-around line—10 points and seven rebounds—emphasized his potential as a multi-positional guard who can contribute on both ends of the floor. Dix’s 8-point night, paired with his two assists and one steal, underscored his efficiency and willingness to contribute in multiple phases of the game. The absence of Hausen added an element of intrigue, as Memphis waited to see how he would respond in the next game after a prolific prior performance.
As these teams continue their Summer League journeys, the performances of these former Iowa players will be watched closely by fans and scouts alike. Each player has shown tangible traits that could translate to meaningful roles in the regular season, whether as perimeter shooters, secondary scorers, or defensive contributors who can provide energy off the bench. Their Friday-night outputs offered a snapshot of their development trajectory and highlighted the ongoing process of adjusting to higher levels of competition and the faster pace of Summer League basketball.
For readers seeking ongoing coverage of Iowa alumni in the NBA Summer League, Hawkeyes Wire will continue to provide game-by-game breakdowns, standout moments, and postgame analysis as the action unfolds. Fans can follow updates on X (formerly Twitter) at Hawkeyes Wire and on Facebook for continuous coverage of Iowa-related news, notes, and opinions. This article, originally published on Hawkeyes Wire, serves as a detailed recap of how the former Iowa basketball stars performed in Friday’s Summer League action and sets the stage for their upcoming matchups and potential season-long contributions.