NBA Summer League Spotlights Rising and Returning Talent
Alabama and Auburn standouts gear up for the competition.
The NBA’s summer league is set to feature a blend of fresh faces and returning players, including several standouts from Alabama and Auburn hoping to make their mark. Play begins Saturday and continues for 15 days.
Local Prospects Make Their Mark
Five players who contributed to Auburn’s Final Four run and four from Alabama’s East Regional Final team are showcasing their talents. Johni Broome, drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, headlines the Auburn contingent. Mark Sears, along with Auburn’s Dylan Cardwell and Miles Kelly, have secured two-way contracts, allowing them to move between the NBA and the NBA G League.
For many, the summer league is about breaking into the pros, yet for others, like former Alabama guard Josh Primo, it’s a chance to return. After not playing in the 2024-25 season, Primo aims to revive his career with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA 2K26 Summer League.
Summer League Schedule
The California Classic in San Francisco and the Salt Lake City Summer League tip off Saturday. Broome is set to debut with Philadelphia against the Utah Jazz, with the game broadcast on ESPN. Memphis and Oklahoma City will also compete in Salt Lake City.
Players with Alabama Ties in the NBA Summer League
Several players from Alabama high schools and colleges are participating in the NBA summer league:
- Brooks Barnhizer (Alma Bryant), Oklahoma City Thunder
- Johni Broome (Auburn), Philadelphia 76ers
- Kobe Brown (Lee-Huntsville), Los Angeles Clippers
- Dylan Cardwell (Auburn), Sacramento Kings
- Aaron Estrada (Alabama), Memphis Grizzlies
- Trey Jemison (Hoover, UAB), Los Angeles Lakers
- Chaney Johnson (Thompson, Auburn), Cleveland Cavaliers
- Denver Jones (Buckhorn, Auburn), Cleveland Cavaliers
- Miles Kelly (Auburn), Dallas Mavericks
- Kira Lewis Jr. (Hazel Green, Alabama), Miami Heat
- TJ Madlock (Alabama State), Detroit Pistons
- Grant Nelson (Alabama), Brooklyn Nets
- Clifford Omoruyi (Alabama), Toronto Raptors
- Josh Primo (Alabama), Chicago Bulls
- Alex Reese (Pelham, Alabama), Philadelphia 76ers
- Mark Sears (Muscle Shoals, Alabama), Milwaukee Bucks
- Jaden Shackelford (Alabama), Golden State Warriors
- Jaylin Williams (Auburn), Dallas Mavericks
- Chris Youngblood (Alabama), Oklahoma City Thunder
According to a recent report, the average NBA G League salary is around $40,500, highlighting the financial stakes for these players (Statista 2024).
Primo’s Journey Back
Primo‘s path to the summer league hasn’t been straightforward. A stress fracture in his left ankle sidelined him in April 2024, and he never played for the Windy City Bulls despite being signed by the Bulls’ G League affiliate.
Drafted by the Spurs as the No. 12 pick in 2021 after a single season at Alabama, Primo showed promise before his career was derailed. The Spurs released Primo in October 2022, without explanation.
Lawsuits followed in November 2022, with attorney Tony Buzbee alleging Primo exposed himself to Dr. Hillary Cauthen. The lawsuits were later settled out of court. Criminal investigation concluded without charges.
Primo returned to the NBA in September 2023 with the Los Angeles Clippers, receiving a four-game suspension. He played sparingly for Los Angeles before being waived in April 2024 due to his ankle injury.
