​We’ve just wrapped the opening weekend of the Las Vegas Summer League, following a pair of early summer leagues in California and Utah. With all 30 NBA teams in attendance for the main event, the spotlight now shifts to Las Vegas. The University of North Carolina is well represented, featuring a number of current Tar Heels and former players making their mark in the summer showcase. Here’s a look at how several UNC-affiliated players fared in Las Vegas this summer.
Veesaar picked up where he left off in Utah, delivering another solid performance in Las Vegas. In his first game against San Antonio, he produced 14 points and six rebounds while shooting efficiently, going 5-for-8 from the floor and 2-for-5 from three in 19 minutes off the Hawks’ bench. His 19-minute stint showcased his ability to impact the game on both ends for a Hawks squad looking to capitalize on his length and touch.
In the following game, Veesaar’s production dipped somewhat. He tallied six points and one rebound in 17 minutes in a win over the Nets, hitting three of his five attempts but missing his lone three-point try. The two-game early returns suggest a player who can flash upside when given minutes, but who still needs to refine consistency. The Hawks next match up against the Celtics on Monday, a test that should reveal more about his role and development trajectory in this summer league setting.
Powell’s Summer League run has been challenging in the second round, continuing the rough stretch from California. The former first-round pick has registered five total points across 45 minutes in two games for Brooklyn, and none of his points have come from the floor. He’s an even 0-for-11 from beyond the arc in Las Vegas, though he has drawn contact on offense enough to generate five rebounds and three assists. Despite the poor shooting, Powell has minimized turnovers, committing only one in those two games, and he has contributed on the glass and with playmaking, which should help him maintain a role as he searches for his shooting rhythm.
We already gave Wilson substantial coverage after his record-setting debut, but it’s helpful to compare his early production against the upper echelon of the 2026 draft class to put things in perspective. Player A—representing Wilson’s output against the perceived top three—averaged 26 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.8 blocks, 2.3 turnovers per game, and shot 62.3% from the field. Player B—the top trio’s collective numbers when facing Wilson—averaged 21.8 points, 7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.83 blocks, 3.5 turnovers per game, and shot 49.2% from the floor. Wilson’s two-and-two record in those matchups—both losses by a combined three points—illustrates that he has been competitive against elite competition, and his next two games figure to offer two more chances to demonstrate why he was selected fourth overall. He’s scheduled to face Peterson and Dybantsa in consecutive outings, opportunities to show why his draft position might have warranted even higher consideration.
Ryan returned to action for Milwaukee after sitting out the final two California Summer League games. He endured a rocky start off the bench against the Heat, finishing with seven points on 2-for-7 shooting, including 1-for-4 from three. He did contribute eight rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes, but he also turned the ball over four times as Milwaukee suffered a 30-point defeat on the afternoon. In his second game against the Spurs, Ryan again came off the bench and turned in a more favorable performance, tallying 15 points, five rebounds, and four steals in a loss to San Antonio. His next test is a Monday matchup against the Suns, a game that should offer a clearer view of how he fits into Milwaukee’s plans going forward in this event.
Nance did not play for Milwaukee in California, but is back on the summer circuit and is expected to be a factor as the league progresses. He figures to be a key piece in Milwaukee’s plans as the summer continues, with opportunities to showcase his versatility and ability to contribute in multiple ways.
In sum, Las Vegas has delivered a mix of promising flashes and frustrating stretches for UNC-affiliated players, with Veesaar showing potential as a multi-faceted big man, Powell continuing to chase his outside shooting rhythm while contributing in other areas, Wilson holding his own against top-tier competition, and Ryan delivering a few productive games that demonstrate his upside off the bench. As the summer league games roll on, these players will have additional opportunities to prove they deserve more consistent roles and, for some, to position themselves for bigger opportunities as the NBA season approaches.