Will Tschetter Joins Trail Blazers Summer League

Six Championship Players Head to NBA Summer League

Michigan’s 2025‑26 national champion squad has produced a wave of early‑entry entrants for the NBA summer circuit. Six former Wolverines from the title team are now competing in Summer League, marking a rapid transition from college hoops to professional prospects.

Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara were all selected in the NBA draft lottery—Johnson went 9th to Dallas, Lendeborg 11th to Golden State and Mara 12th to Oklahoma City. Undrafted guards Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett quickly signed with Detroit and Toronto, respectively, keeping their dreams alive through alternative pathways.

Will Tschetter, the 6‑foot‑8, 230‑pound forward who averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game for Michigan, becomes the last of the six to appear in Summer League. He earned an invitation after a standout season with Australia’s Warwick Senators, where he posted 28.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

From Australian Courts to Portland Practice

The Trail Blazers have already shared footage of Tschetter participating in team drills, signaling coach Tobias Mann’s confidence in his potential. His father, Garth, announced the move on X shortly after the NBA club confirmed his addition, highlighting the family’s excitement about the next chapter.

T‑Schetter’s résumé includes a dramatic turnaround from Michigan’s worst modern season (8‑24 in 2023‑24) to the program’s best ever mark (37‑3 in 2025‑26). That journey underscores how a single player can embody a program’s resurgence.

What the Wave Means for Michigan Basketball

The exodus of six championship players is not unprecedented, but it does reflect the heightened professional opportunities following a title run. Michigan’s coaching staff will likely incorporate younger talents like Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and Brandon McCoy Jr. to maintain competitiveness in the 2026‑27 season.

For prospects who stayed in the NCAA, the early exits of peers can create both openings and pressure. Observers will watch whether the Wolverines can replace the departing talent without losing momentum in the upcoming season.

Portland’s Summer League Schedule

The Trail Blazers open their Summer League slate Friday, July 10, facing the Phoenix Suns at 11 p.m. ET on ESPNU in Las Vegas. Tschetter’s performance in these exhibition games could influence his roster chances for the regular season.

Summer League serves as a critical audition for undrafted players and late‑draft picks looking to prove they belong at the NBA level. Tschetter’s chance to showcase his inside‑out scoring and rebounding could be a key story line for Portland’s pursuit of a playoff spot.