​The second round of Summer League games concluded Tuesday night with the completion of the Utah Summer League, mirroring the sense of anticipation that surrounds the California edition. Both leagues featured a limited slate of teams that used the window to accumulate additional reps before all 30 NBA teams converge on Las Vegas for the main Summer League showcase. Yet there was a notable difference: the Utah Summer League consisted of only four teams, and among them there was just a single Tar Heel represented. With that in mind, here is a detailed look at the lone North Carolina alum in Utah, a player many Tar Heel fans hoped would wear Carolina blue again this season instead of the NBA uniform he will don this year.
Luka Veesaar, entering his first Summer League as the Atlanta Hawks’ second-round pick, participated in all three Utah Summer League games and even earned a start in the finale. The former UNC center got off to a cautious start in his first two outings, totaling just seven points on the scoresheet while shooting 3-for-8 from the floor and 1-for-4 from three-point range. He also contributed 10 rebounds across those two contests, signaling potential as a playmaking and rebounding presence.
In his third game, Veesaar finally began to show the signs of a developing role, turning in a more complete performance after earning the start. Across 23 minutes, he tallied 11 points and pulled down five rebounds. He connected on 2 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc and added four assists, along with a block and a steal. However, the game also featured four turnovers, underscoring the learning curve that comes with transitioning from college ball to the professional Summer League level.
The improving performance in that final Utah game offered a more optimistic glimpse into Veesaar’s potential as a rotation piece for Atlanta. The Hawks, who recently faced playoff heartbreak at the hands of the New York Knicks, are in search of reliable inside production and improved size to bolster a lineup that was exposed at times in the postseason. Looking ahead to Las Vegas, Veesaar will aim to refine his shooting consistency, decision-making with the ball, and defensive reads to become a meaningful contributor for Atlanta’s frontcourt.
For the Hawks, the Summer League stint is not merely a development phase but a chance to evaluate how a young center like Veesaar can fit into a broader roster strategy. With limited opportunities for big-man reps across the league, every minute on the floor in Las Vegas will be valuable for him as he competes to establish a role and earn extended run behind Atlanta’s more established players. The Utah performance, particularly the third-game breakout, provided a hopeful signal that Veesaar can translate Summer League minutes into meaningful NBA-ready contributions as he continues his transition from college standout to professional center.
In sum, Veesaar’s Utah Summer League showing marked a modest but meaningful progression—from a cautious start to a more assertive finish—hinting at the potential for him to grow into a steady frontcourt option for the Hawks. The season ahead in Las Vegas will be a critical proving ground, where he will have the opportunity to further demonstrate his ability to stretch the floor, rebound with authority, and distribute the ball effectively from the post. If he builds on that late-game momentum, Veesaar could emerge as a valuable piece for Atlanta in a league increasingly reliant on versatile bigs who can affect the game on multiple fronts.