NBL young guns set for Summer League

It barely took a few hours for NBA teams to move from the Draft to Summer League preparations.

But just as they did by picking four Next Stars via the Draft and one soon after, with Trentyn Flowers signing a deal with the Clippers, scouts were quick to look to the NBL for talent. 

Brisbane Bullets young gun Josh Bannan is reportedly set to line up for the Los Angeles Clippers at the Summer League in a fortnight, capping off a whirlwind year for the 23-year-old.

Josh Bannan will play for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024 NBA Summer League, sources told ESPN. Undrafted Australian forward, who averaged 11.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg for the Brisbane Bullets last NBL season.

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) June 28, 2024

Bannan worked out with close to a dozen teams in the lead-up to the draft, and despite not being selected, is clearly around the mark for a longer-term NBA roster spot. 

He averaged 11.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19 games for Brisbane across NBL24, and now gets his chance to make his mark in the US.

“This is just a really good opportunity. He went undrafted in this draft. He wasn't expected to hear his name called, but for him to get a Summer League gig so quickly, that bodes well for his potential chances at maybe a two-way or picking up some sort of deal maybe in the next year or two,” ESPN’s Olgun Uluc said on NBL Now. 

>> Listen to the full episode of NBL Now, featuring discussion on the NBA Draft, Summer League and Next Stars below.

While it’s somewhat rare that players land an NBA deal directly from their Summer League performances, as Jack White did two seasons ago, the experience will be invaluable for the rising Bullet.

“Generally, a Summer League deal is just a really good opportunity for these guys to showcase their skill set,” Uluc said.

Another NBL name set to impress is Tyler Robertson, who Uluc reported will play with the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas. 

Tyler Robertson will play for the Washington Wizards in the 2024 NBA Summer League, sources told ESPN. 6’6 Australian wing who recently signed with the Sydney Kings in the NBL; averaged 16.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 3.8 apg for the University of Portland last season.

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) June 28, 2024

The Sydney Kings signing played for the Australia Select team in its recent two-game series against Japan, after five seasons in college with Eastern Washington and Portland. 

“Tyler Robertson only worked out for one (NBA) team in this pre-draft cycle. He had multiple workouts set up, but he chose to forego those so he could join the Australian Boomers for those exhibition games in Japan,” Uluc said.

“The Wizards were the one team that he worked out for and from what I'm told, they really liked him and basically locked him up there with a Summer League spot.”

Tyler Robertson.

Robertson could suit up alongside number two overall pick, Alex Sarr, at the Wizards in Vegas. 

Meanwhile, former Melbourne United big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr will play for the Sacramento Kings, Newscorp's Mick Randall reported.

The 30-year-old opted to depart United at the end of the most recent NBL season, exploring opportunities overseas.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr will play in NBA Summer League with the Sacramento Kings. Huge opportunity for the champion @MelbUnited big man.

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) June 27, 2024

The NBA Summer League runs between July 12 to 22, with NBL Media and the league's social channels providing updates throughout the tournament.