5 former Indiana players on NBA Summer League rosters
A handful of former Indiana basketball players — Jalen Hood-Schifino, Kel’el Ware, Oumar Ballo, Miller Kopp and Tamar Bates — are set to in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, hoping to strengthen their positions within the league or earn roster spots for the upcoming season.
The event, which runs July 10–20, features all 30 NBA teams and includes recent draft picks, G League players and international prospects. It serves as a key evaluation period ahead of training camps in the fall.
Hood-Schifino, a 2023 first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, played last season with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract. He appeared in 13 games, averaging 7.8 points per contest.
His best performance came March 16 in a road win over the Dallas Mavericks, where he scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers. He added 18 points March 30 against Toronto and 12 points March 13 against Houston. After a trade to the Utah Jazz as part of the Luka Dončić deal, he was waived and rejoined Philadelphia.
The 6-foot-6 guard played one season for Indiana in 2022–23, helping lead the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament. He is best remembered for a 35-point performance in a win at Purdue.
Ware, a 7-foot center, was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat following a breakout season at Indiana. He averaged 15.9 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Hoosiers in 2023–24 after transferring from Oregon.
In his rookie NBA season, Ware played in 64 games and made 36 starts. He averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 55.4% from the field and 31.5% from 3-point range. Still just 21, he is expected to play a significant role in Miami’s future.
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SEE ALSO: ‘We see signs of the greatness’: Miami Heat make strong commitment to Kel’el Ware
Ballo, who went undrafted in June, signed with the Heat the day after the draft. He spent his final college season at Indiana after three years at Arizona and one at Gonzaga.
In his lone season in Bloomington, the 7-foot center averaged 13 points and 9.1 rebounds. Known for his physical presence and rebounding ability, Ballo will look to prove himself during Summer League play.
MORE: Former Indiana center Oumar Ballo joining Miami Heat summer league roster
Kopp played two seasons at Indiana from 2021-2023. Last season, Kopp appeared in 32 games for Oklahoma City’s G-League team, averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Kopp is expected to play with the Detroit Pistons this summer.
Bates, who finished his college career at Missouri, is also playing in Las Vegas. Bates, who spent two seasons with the Hoosiers before transferring, is taking the court with the Denver Nuggets in Summer League.
The NBA Summer League begins Wednesday in Las Vegas and will run through July 20. Games will be televised on ESPN and NBA TV.
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