3 Things To Watch in Pistons Summer League Opener vs. 76ers

The Detroit Pistons will tip off their Summer League on Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dec 27, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) talks to media members after defeating the CSUN Matadors at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Pistons will officially open up 2026 NBA Summer League play on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’ll be the first of four scheduled matchups for the Pistons in the Summer League. 

As the Pistons open Summer League play against the 76ers, here are three things for Pistons fans to watch. 

Ebuka Okorie’s Pistons Debut 

Dec 27, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) during the first half against the CSUN Matadors at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Highlighting the Pistons Summer League roster is No. 17 overall pick guard Ebuka Okorie out of Stanford, as he’ll see his first action against NBA competition. With high expectations entering the 2026-27 NBA season as a rookie and the potential to be a key depth piece for the Pistons, it’ll be interesting to see how much action Okorie sees throughout the Summer League and the impact that he can have.

The Pistons went 3-2 during the Summer League last season, with their two losses coming to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs. Okorie looks to lead the Pistons to an even better showing in the Summer League. 

Ugonna Onyenso 

Mar 19, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) shoots during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another one of the Pistons' selections, former Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso, will be a player to watch for Detroit in the opener against the Philadelphia 76ers and throughout the Summer League. 

After not having a second-round draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Pistons acquired Onyenso from the New York Knicks at No. 53 overall after he was first selected by the Houston Rockets. In his one season with Virginia following previous stints with the Kansas State Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats, Onyenso averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.

History has shown that second-round draft picks can develop into valuable players on an NBA roster, and Onyenso looks to make his first case that he can bring value to the Pistons during the Summer League.  

Pistons G-League Players

Oct 6, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) reacts with Detroit Pistons guard Brice Williams (13) during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A select few of the players from the Pistons G-League squad, the Motor City Cruise, will play on Detroit’s Summer League team. The players from the Cruise set to compete include forward Dawson Garcia and center Brice Williams, both of whom were among the top scorers from the Cruise. 

An impressive performance by either of the two in the Summer League, and they could be moved up to the Pistons roster next season. Tolu Smith and Daniss Jenkins are among the two former Cruise players now on the Pistons roster.

Jenkins, however, is the one who has taken his game to an even higher level and made an impact at the next step. Last season with the Pistons, Jenkins averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.