The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has become a temporary home for recent University of Arizona players trying to turn college success into professional stability. Six former Wildcats — Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso and Carter Bryant — are taking different paths into the league, but each is betting the 10-day event can accelerate their careers.
High draft picks, two-way deals and summer contracts
Brayden Burries, the No. 10 overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, already got playing time at the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento. Burries and Koa Peat, the No. 30 pick by the Phoenix Suns, have each signed four-year rookie contracts. Peat was slated to make his professional debut when Phoenix opened against Portland.
Jaden Bradley, selected No. 50 by the Toronto Raptors, was set to debut when Toronto faced Boston. Bradley is on a one-year, two-way contract. Tobe Awaka joined the Chicago Bulls as an undrafted free agent and is also on a one-year, two-way deal; Chicago had a Vegas matchup scheduled against Memphis.
Anthony Dell’Orso is competing with the Sacramento Kings on a summer league contract; he did not play in the Kings’ first Vegas game. And Carter Bryant, now in his second year with the San Antonio Spurs, got additional reps with the reigning Western Conference champions. As a rookie, Bryant averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game.
Early returns and what to watch
Bryant’s first summer action in Las Vegas was uneven: he shot 4 of 13 from the field, including 1 of 7 from three-point range. For other former Wildcats the Summer League offers different stakes — top-10 lottery picks like Burries are expected to develop into rotation contributors, while two-way players and summer-contract signees are fighting for training-camp invites and long-term footholds.
- Brayden Burries — No. 10 pick, Milwaukee Bucks; played at California Classic.
- Koa Peat — No. 30 pick, Phoenix Suns; professional debut vs. Portland.
- Jaden Bradley — No. 50 pick, Toronto Raptors; one-year two-way contract.
- Tobe Awaka — Undrafted, Chicago Bulls; one-year two-way contract.
- Anthony Dell’Orso — Sacramento Kings, summer league contract.
- Carter Bryant — San Antonio Spurs, second-year forward; averaged 4.2 points as a rookie.
| Player | NBA Team | Contract Type |
|---|---|---|
| Brayden Burries | Milwaukee Bucks | Four-year rookie contract |
| Koa Peat | Phoenix Suns | Four-year rookie contract |
| Jaden Bradley | Toronto Raptors | One-year, two-way |
| Tobe Awaka | Chicago Bulls | One-year, two-way |
| Anthony Dell’Orso | Sacramento Kings | Summer league contract |
| Carter Bryant | San Antonio Spurs | Second-year player |
Arizona fans will be watching both for flashes of individual talent and for signs these players can fill the kinds of roles NBA teams need — perimeter shooting, defensive versatility and consistent decision-making. The Summer League is short, but it can reshape roster decisions heading into training camp and the regular season.
Game times and matchups were shared by Arizona Athletics and included marquee pairings that put former Wildcats on national streams, giving hometown supporters a clear window to follow progress. For many of these players, the next week in Las Vegas will matter more than any single stat line — it’s about earning the trust of coaches and carving out an NBA role.
