Summer League Primer

With the 2026 Draft in the rearview mirror and free agency picking up steam last week, it’s time for the Cavaliers to make their annual trip to Nevada, where NBA 2K Las Vegas Summer League tips off with all 30 teams participating in the offseason invitational. 

The Cavs are one of four franchises – along with the Nuggets, Suns and Wizards – who’ve participated in Vegas Summer League every year since its inception back in 2004, with Cleveland winning the championship after running the table back in 2023. This year, Cavs assistant Andrew Olson will helm the squad, with June’s lone Draft pick – Meleek Thomas, taken with the 34^th overall pick out of Arkansas, making his pro debut. 

The Wine and Gold tip off this year’s slate on Friday afternoon, taking on the Pacers at 4:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, it’s a matchup against the Pistons at 4:00, followed by a meeting against Miami on Monday at 8:00 before wrapping up next Wednesday against the Pelicans at 5:30. Each team will play at least five games, with the semifinals set for July 18 and the championship game set for the following night. 

Cleveland’s opener and final two games of group play take place at COX Pavilion, with the matchup against Detroit at the Thomas & Mack Center. ESPN2 will carry Friday’s contest and the final three games airing on Amazon Prime. 

Summer History Lesson – Aside from the Lockout season in 2011 and the 2020 session wiped out by the COVID pandemic, the Cavaliers have participated in Las Vegas Summer League in every summer – playing in Salt Lake City, Boston, and Orlando before that. Since then, Cleveland has only participated in one Summer League outside of the desert – going winless in three outings in Salt Lake City back in 2019. 

Since 2000, the Cavaliers are an even 69-70 overall in Summer League play; 57-48 in Vegas. 

Rookie Debut – This year’s sole Draft pick – Meleek Thomas – will see his first NBA action when things tip off on Friday afternoon. 

The 19-year-old Pittsburgh native earned SEC All-Freshman honors in his single season in Fayetteville after averaging 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37 games. He started his final 21 games for the Razorbacks, shooting 43 percent from the floor, including a team-best 42 percent from deep and 84 percent from the stripe.

Last year’s top pick – Tyrese Proctor – who had an impressive rookie campaign in Cleveland and went off for 35 points in a Summer League contest last year – will not be with this year’s squad as he competes internationally with the Australian National Team. 

Making Their Move – Most eyes will be on Thomas as the team tips off play on Friday, but there are other members of this year’s squad who’ll be looking to impress over the next week-and-a-half. 

Forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin impressed in Sin City last year and parlayed that run into a solid season and pro contract with the Cavaliers. In 2025-26, Tomlin – who didn’t play high school ball – appeared in 69 games with the Wine & Gold, averaging 5.9 PPG. The New York City native notched double-figure scoring in 10 outings last year, including a 26-point, eight-rebound effort in the regular season finale against Washington. 

Fellow forward Tristan Enaruna, who played his final two collegiate seasons at Cleveland State, was named the G-League’s Most Improved Player, the first Charge player to win the award. Last year, the Netherlands native averaged 20.4 points and 5.6 boards in 36 appearances with the Charge before joining the Cavs for the final nine games of the regular season. 

Malaki Branham, who played his high school ball at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s and was the first round pick of the Spurs (20^th overall) out of Ohio State back in 2022. In 216 career games with the Spurs and Wizards, the 6-4, 180-pound guard has averaged 8.0 PPG. This year marks his third career Summer League appearance. 

Big man Ernest Udeh Jr. played four collegiate seasons – with Kansas, TCU, and his final year with Miami. He started 33 games with the Hurricanes last year, averaging 9.2 rebounds, grabbing double-digit boards in 15 games, with six double-doubles in the mix. He was named a member of the 2026 All-ACC Defensive Team and signed a Two-Way contract with the Cavs last week.