NBA Summer League | HBCU Players To Watch
The NBA Summer League is a time for NBA hopefuls to show what they've got in Las Vegas, including those from the HBCU basketball ranks.
Four HBCU alumni will take the court over the weekend after former Morehouse and Alabama A&M forward Xavier Brewer was removed late from the Detroit Pistons summer league roster. Still, it's an opportunity to perform in front of NBA eyes and take the next step in their professional careers. Check out where each guy will be playing.
HBCU PLAYERS TO WATCH: 2023 NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
Jul 16, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls center Makur Maker (99) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Michael Foster Jr. (41) during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Makur Maker - Howard University (Philadelphia 76ers)
The former Howard Bison was the first HBCU product to take the floor this summer as the 76ers participated in Utah's Salt Lake City Summer League. Unfortunately, Maker hasn't seen much of the floor in the first two games; he only played two minutes in the first game against the Memphis Grizzlies and was a DNP-coach's decision in the second game against the Utah Jazz.
Maker and the Sixers have one more game in Salt Lake City, a 7 p.m. ET matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on ESPN 2. Hopefully, he'll get a chance to build some momentum before the team transitions to Las Vegas.
Nov 14, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Norfolk State Spartans forward Kris Bankston (30) dunks for the basket against UCLA Bruins forward Kenneth Nwuba (14) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Kris Bankston (Norfolk State) - Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has the unique distinction of having multiple HBCU products on its summer league roster. Bankston begins his professional career after receiving All-MEAC First Team and Defensive Team honors. He brings an athletic element to the team, and with the vast improvement in his free-throw shooting (54% to 71% over the last two seasons), it could be a good sign that Bankston could develop a jump shot in the years to come.
"Kris Bankston is one of the best HBCU basketball ambassadors across the country, and worked extremely hard to put himself in this position. He represented the 2023 HBCU All-Stars at the highest level during the second annual HBCU All-Star Game at Texas Southern University during Final Four Weekend in Houston. Kris is a winner, very talented, skilled, ambitious, and deserving of this opportunity to represent HBCU All-Stars, and Norfolk State University." Travis Williams - CEO of HBCU All-Stars LLC/HBCU All-Star Game
Dec 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; NJIT Highlanders forward Anthony Tarke (12) dribbles past Minnesota Golden Gophers center Reggie Lynch (22) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Tarke - Coppin State (Milwaukee Bucks)
Like Maker, Tarke has spent most of his time in the NBA G League. Last season, the former MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year played in limited action for both the Wisconsin Herd and the Santa Cruz Warriors.
At 26 years old, Tarke's window to prove he can play in the Association is closing. It'll be imperative for him to have a strong showing in Vegas.
Javonte Cooke; Credit - Winston-Salem Athletics
Javonte Cooke (Winston-Salem State) - Minnesota Timberwolves
Cooke spent last season playing for the Iowa Wolves in the G League, where he appeared in 25 games. Although his season average isn't eye-catching, in the five games he started, Cooke averaged 14.2 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the field and a respectable 34.5% on 3-pointers.
The Winston-Salem State product is likely to see the most action of the HBCU products - it wouldn't even be a stretch to see Cooke start for Minnesota's forward-heavy summer league roster.
NBA SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE FOR HBCU PLAYERS
Below is the schedule of games where fans can catch the HBCU players in the Las Vegas Summer League.
*Teams may play more games if they advance to the playoff.
Philadelphia 76ers Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
July 8 | New York Knicks | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | NBATV |
July 10 | Dallas Mavericks | 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT | ESPNU |
July 13 | Atlanta Hawks | 3:30 p.m. ET/ 2:30 p.m. CT | NBATV |
July 14 | LA Clippers | 4:30 p.m./3:30 p.m. CT | NBATV |
Milwaukee Bucks Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
July 7 | Denver Nuggets | 5 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. CT | ESPNU |
July 8 | Phoenix Suns | 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT | NBATV |
July 11 | Brooklyn Nets | 6 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. CT | ESPNU |
July 13 | Miami Heat | 5:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. CT | NBATV |
Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
July 7 | New Orleans Pelicans | 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT | NBATV |
July 10 | Utah Jazz | 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT | ESPNU |
July 12 | Atlanta Hawks | 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT | ESPN2 |
July 13 | Sacramento Kings | 9:30 p.m. ET/8;30 p.m. CT | NBATV |