NBA Summer League: Former Wildcats ready to shine in Las Vegas
The 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas kicks off July 10 and runs through July 20, and as always, a crop of Kentucky-connected talent is set to make an impression.
While the list of Wildcats in Vegas isn't as stacked as in some past years, several names are worth tracking — from lottery picks to unproven grinders trying to earn a camp invite.
Here's where things stand entering the showcase:
Atlanta Hawks – Lamont Butler
Boston Celtics – Amari Williams
Cleveland Cavaliers – Jaxson Robinson
Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard
Minnesota Timberwolves – Rob Dillingham
Phoenix Suns – Koby Brea
Portland Trail Blazers – Andrew Carr
Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, both first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, enter Vegas looking to secure rotation minutes after promising flashes in Year 1. Sheppard’s feel for the game and two-way instincts should translate immediately, and he’s expected to be a focal point for Houston's squad. Dillingham, meanwhile, will use the Summer League to shore up his command as a lead backup guard in Minnesota’s backcourt.
For players like Jaxson Robinson and Andrew Carr, Summer League is all about proving they belong. Robinson, who made a name for himself as a sharpshooter at BYU and later in Lexington, joins Cleveland as a wing who can stretch the floor. Carr, a versatile forward, is trying to break through in Portland’s crowded frontcourt.
Amari Williams and Lamont Butler will be looking to solidify their roster sports as well, the Summer League has always been a launching pad for overlooked names.
We’ll continue to update as new rosters drop, but for now, it’s time to lock in. Las Vegas may be a proving ground, but for these Cats, it’s the next step toward staying in the League.