Iowa State Basketball Stars Set for Summer League Showcase

Overview of the Summer League Rush

The NBA Summer League runs from July 9 through July 19, giving each team a guaranteed four games with a possible fifth contest for consolation play if they miss the four‑team playoff bracket. Former Cyclones are eager to use this spotlight to impress NBA scouts and snag roster spots before the regular season begins. Summer League offers a fast‑paced environment where players must quickly adapt to new teammates and tactics.

Four ex‑Iowa State standouts have earned invitations to their respective teams’ summer rosters: Keshon Gilbert (Atlanta Hawks), Joshua Jefferson (Brooklyn Nets), Curtis Jones (Boston Celtics) and Tamin Lipsey (Indiana Pacers). Each brings a distinct skill set and a résumé that includes college accolades and recent professional experience.

Below you’ll find detailed information on how to follow each player’s games, their recent professional stats and what this moment means for their NBA aspirations.

Keshon Gilbert – Atlanta Hawks

Gilbert, a two‑time All‑Big 12 selection, split time between the G League and NBA last season. He posted 4.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds in four NBA contests, primarily with the Washington Wizards before joining Atlanta. In the G League, the forward averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game and earned All‑Rookie honors.

His summer league schedule includes a July 11 matchup against Brooklyn on ESPN, a July 13 tilt versus Boston streaming on Amazon Prime, and a July 16 showdown with Memphis also on Amazon Prime. Gilbert’s playmaking ability and shooting touch make him a strong candidate to earn another two‑way deal if he shines in these contests.

Joshua Jefferson – Brooklyn Nets

Jefferson capped his college career as the Cyclones’ first consensus All‑American since Georges Niang in 2016, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 47.1% from the floor. He became the first Iowa State player in Big 12 history to record multiple triple‑doubles in a single season and was drafted 28th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves before an immediate trade to Brooklyn.

Jefferson will appear in four summer league games: July 10 vs. New York (Amazon Prime), July 11 vs. Atlanta (ESPN), July 14 vs. Sacramento (Amazon Prime) and July 16 vs. Houston (ESPNU). His versatility on both ends of the floor and improved three‑point shooting could give the Nets a valuable rotation option if he continues his upward trajectory.

Curtis Jones – Boston Celtics

Jones earned an Exhibit 10 deal with the Denver Nuggets, impressed enough to convert it to a two‑way contract, and logged 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists across ten NBA games. He also shined in the G League with the Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 20.2 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.

After Denver let him go, Boston signed him shortly afterward. Jones is set to play on July 10 against Toronto (ESPN), July 12 vs. Charlotte (ESPN2), July 13 vs. Atlanta (Amazon Prime) and July 15 vs. Sacramento (ESPN2). His scoring burst and playmaking could make him a valuable bench contributor if the Celtics retain him through training camp.

Tamin Lipsey – Indiana Pacers

Lipsey, a hometown hero, leaves Iowa State as a three‑time All‑Big 12 and three‑time Big 12 All‑Defensive honoree. He also earned Big 12 Scholar‑Athlete of the Year and CSC Division I Academic All‑American honors, setting program records with 314 career steals and 137 starts. His final college averages were 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

Undrafted, Lipsey signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Indiana immediately after the 2026 NBA Draft. He will face Philadelphia on July 11 (Amazon Prime), take on Toronto on July 13 (ESPN2) and meet Minnesota on July 15 (Amazon Prime). Lipsey’s defensive savvy and basketball IQ could help the Pacers fill a role on the perimeter if he continues to develop under NBA coaching.

How to Watch the Former Cyclones

All four players are featured in a slideshow of highlights from Iowa State’s 2026 NCAA Tournament practice, giving fans a glimpse of the locker‑room chemistry that may translate to summer league success. The images are preserved in the gallery below for those who want to reconnect with the Cyclones’ recent tournament run.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How to watch former Iowa State basketball stars in NBA Summer League