BBNBA: Recap for all 13 Kentucky guys in the Summer League
The 2025 NBA Summer League is in the books and, as usual, several former Kentucky players anted up and cashed in big in Las Vegas. A total of 14 ‘Cats found themselves on Summer League rosters, but unfortunately, only 13 saw minutes. Lamont Butler suffered an ankle injury just before games started, and it kept him out for all five of the Atlanta Hawks’ contests.
It was a tough break for Butler, who found himself sidelined through several games for Kentucky during his one season in Lexington with a shoulder injury. He’ll have to use the G-League as his proving ground to earn a spot on the Hawks’ active roster.
As for the Wildcats in the Summer League who got to play, we saw the full range of performances. A quick recap:
The Lottery Picks Getting Up Reps
Kentucky’s two lottery picks from last year used the Summer League to show that they are too good for the Summer League. Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham‘s NBA experience shone through, looking like the best player on the floor at any given moment.
Sheppard especially came in confident and assertive, averaging a BBNBA-best 23 points per game through two games. After being declared untouchable in the team’s quest to trade for Kevin Durant, it was clear his team’s goal was to get him going, as he will likely be a key player off the bench for the Houston Rockets.
Dillingham averaged 17.3 points and 6.5 assists for the Timberwolves through four Summer League games. His assist numbers ranked him 7th out of all players in the Summer League, a setting where team ball is not exactly on prime display.
Although he wasn’t a lottery pick, second-year emerging star Justin Edwards also played well for the 76ers. Coming off a strong second half of the season, he averaged 12.3 points per game through three games in Vegas to keep the momentum going. Edwards signed a three-year $7 million deal with Philadelphia this offseason, a testament to his resurgence in the League after going undrafted last season.
The Rookie Draft Picks Proved Their Worth
Koby Brea is being touted as the potential steal of the 2nd round. The “Fuego” shooter nearly didn’t miss in his first game with the Phoenix Suns and kept that hot streak going. He averaged 12 points and shot 42.9 percent from behind the arc through three games.
Brea shot well as advertised, but also made a couple of great drives and familiar-looking backdoor cuts as well that had fans making comparisons to Devin Booker. The former ‘Cat signed a two-way deal with the Suns, a team whose roster is in flux, so there is a good chance we see Brea knocking down 3s on an NBA court this year.
Amari Williams didn’t quite put up he gaudy numbers Brea did, but played well for the Celtics. He averaged just over six points per game, but did other point-center things like lead all starters in assists against the Hawks on Sunday.
The Veterans Who Earned a Contract
The curious case of Chris Livingston continues. After a controversial freshman season at Kentucky, the Bucks drafted him with the last pick in the 2023 NBA draft. After two seasons spent mostly in the G-League, Milwaukee cut Livingston just prior to the start of the Summer League, but kept him around to play in Vegas.
And Livingston cashed in.
The former ‘Cat played lights out, scoring 20.8 points, grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game, and shooting a respectable 38 percent from 3. His play was good enough to earn him a one-year $2.3 million deal to return to the Bucks.
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Good for him.
Jacob Toppin also earned a spot back in the NBA. He averaged 15.3 points a game in the Summer League, which was good enough to get a job back with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract.
Players Looking for Work Played Well
Inexplicably, the New Orleans Pelicans waived Antonio Reeves, even after the former Kentucky sharpshooter played well for them in the last half of the season. He played well in the Summer League for the Pels, though, averaging 14.4 points per game. If New Orleans doesn’t re-sign him, surely another team will make room for Reeves. Everyone needs shooting.
He also picked Bronny’s pocket on a play, which was kind of awesome.
Reeves’ teammate, Keion Brooks, is also hoping to be a two-way player with someone. He averaged 9.8 points per game with the Pelicans in what amounted to an audition tape. Brooks turned some heads last year, as he had some good outings with New Orleans. Look for him to stick around on their G-League squad if another team doesn’t pick him up.
A Few Guys Struggled
As good as some former Kentucky guys played in the Summer League, a couple of ‘Cats didn’t quite find their footing. Jaxson Robinson especially looked like he hadn’t quite fully recovered from his wrist injury, as the normally hot shooter struggled to find the bottom of the net. Robin shot just 2-12 in his final game for the Cavs from 3, and finished just 11.8 percent from deep through four games.
Fellow rookie Andrew Carr also had a tough time getting into a groove. He, like Robinson, averaged just three points per game, shooting an uncharacteristic 14.3 percent from 3.
It always fascinates me how players who looked so good in college can struggle so mightily in the Summer League, but thankfully, these two will have the G-League to get into rhythm. Robinson signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Cavaliers while Carr signed the same deal with the Trail Blazers.
Also, shout out to Lance Ware, who got a chance with the New York Knicks. He averaged just 0.8 points in limited minutes, but it was great to see the former fan favorite get a crack at the League.
Similarly, a tip of the hat to Skal Labissiere, who just keeps on ticking. The G-League veteran played for the Orlando Magic in this Summer League, after spending last season with Portland’s affiliate, the Rip City Remix. The veteran averaged 6.4 points for his new team.
BBNBA Summer League Stats
| Player | GP | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | P/M | MIN |
| Reed Sheppard (HOU) | 2 | 23 | 36.4% | 31.80% | 5.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 1.5 | 4.5 | -15 | 30.6 |
| Chris Livingston (MIL) | 4 | 20.8 | 49.2% | 38.10% | 5.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 2.8 | -5 | 28.3 |
| Rob Dillingham (MIN) | 4 | 17.3 | 39.4% | 33.30% | 3.8 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 0 | 4.3 | +9 | 29.3 |
| Jacob Toppin (ATL) | 3 | 15.3 | 56.7% | 40% | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0 | 1.3 | +6 | 22.9 |
| Antonio Reeves (NOP) | 5 | 14.4 | 46.3% | 31.30% | 3.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0 | 0.6 | -7 | 20.6 |
| Justin Edwards (PHI) | 3 | 12.3 | 33.3% | 40.90% | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 27.5 |
| Koby Brea (PHX) | 3 | 12 | 42.4% | 42.90% | 4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0 | 2.7 | -7 | 24 |
| Keion Brooks (NOP) | 5 | 9.8 | 44.4% | 26.70% | 3.8 | 1 | 3.8 | 0 | 1.4 | -9 | 21.3 |
| Skal Labissiere (ORL) | 5 | 6.4 | 45.8% | 0 | 2.6 | 1 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | -3 | 16.2 |
| Amari Williams (BOS) | 4 | 6.3 | 44.4% | 0 | 4 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2 | +2 | 17.8 |
| Andrew Carr (POR) | 5 | 3 | 37.5% | 14.30% | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | -4 | 12.2 |
| Jaxson Robinson (CLE) | 4 | 3 | 20.0% | 11.80% | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | -2 | 16.2 |
| Lance Ware (NYK) | 4 | 0.8 | 16.7% | 0 | 2.8 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0 | 9.7 |
| Lamont Butler (ATL) | DNP-Ankle |
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