Starting July 12, NBA rookies, young players and hopefuls from all 30 teams will head to Las Vegas to kick off the NBA Summer League.
While most players on Summer League rosters are unable to make the roster, there is an opportunity for players to earn a two-way contract or a spot on the roster of a G-League team. That was the case with the former Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell and wing Keyontae Johnsonwho earned two-way contracts with the Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively.
This season, four former K-State players hope to impress NBA scouts in Las Vegas. Here’s each player and which NBA team they will represent.
XAVIER SNEED (2016-2020): SACRAMENTO REIS
After playing in Italy last season, the former K-State winger Xavier Sneed hopes to earn a spot on the Sacramento Kings.
Sneed played for K-State from 2016 to 2020, appearing in 137 games. As a senior, he averaged 14.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors for the Wildcats.
Since leaving K-State, Sneed has played for the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets, playing primarily in the NBA G-League. He also had a brief stint in Canada with the Niagara River Lions.
Sneed is currently playing with the Kings in the California Classic, where he is averaging 15.5 points on 42.1 percent shooting through two games. Sneed will then join the Kings in Las Vegas.
KEYONTAE JOHNSON (2022-23): OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Keyontae Johnson spent last season on a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, impressing in the NBA G-League. This season, he hopes to potentially make the Thunder’s active roster with a strong Summer League performance.
Johnson spent one season with the Wildcats, helping lead them to Elite 8 birth alongside Nowell. He was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors.
NAE’QWAN TOMLIN (2022-23): CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Nae’Qwan Tomlin didn’t spend much time at K-State last season after being fired midseason. After his dismissal, Tomlin played the rest of the season with Memphis.
Tomlin went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, signing a Test 10 contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This contract will allow him to participate in the NBA Summer League and potentially training camp with the Cavs.
Tomlin played one season with the Wildcats, serving as a crucial rotational piece for the Elite 8 team.
TYLOR PERRY (2023-24): TORONTO RAPTORS
Like Tomlin, former K-State guard Taylor Perry went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors. This will give him the opportunity to earn a spot on a rebuilding Raptors team.
Perry transferred to K-State from North Texas and spent last season with the Wildcats. He averaged 15.3 points, 3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the Wildcats.