Former Alabama Guard Eyes New Opportunities in NBA Summer League

The NBA 2K25 Summer League kicks off in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. CDT on Friday, featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic in the first of 76 games over the next 11 days.

Each of the 30 NBA teams will compete in at least five games, showcasing their young talent, draft picks, and prospects. Two teams will vie for a sixth game in the league’s championship on July 22 at 8 p.m.

One player looking to make a significant impact is guard Kira Lewis Jr., who will suit up for the Houston Rockets. A standout from Hazel Green High School and two-season player at Alabama, Lewis entered the NBA as the 13th pick in the 2020 draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. Over four NBA seasons, Lewis has averaged 5.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.

Lewis' career hit a major hurdle on December 8, 2021, when he tore his ACL and sprained his MCL in his right knee during a game against the Denver Nuggets. Up until that point, he had appeared in 78 games. Since the injury, he has played in 53 more NBA games.

In the 2023-24 season, Lewis was traded twice, moving from the Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors, and then to the Utah Jazz. He became an unrestricted free agent when Utah did not extend a contract offer by June 29.

Other players from Alabama high schools and colleges participating in the NBA 2K25 Summer League, along with their 2023-24 season stats, include:

• Charles Bediako (Orlando Magic, Alabama): Averaged 5.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17 games with the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs.
• Kobe Brown (Los Angeles Clippers, Lee-Huntsville): Averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 22 games with the NBA G League’s Ontario Clippers, and 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 44 games with the Los Angeles Clippers.
• Noah Clowney (Brooklyn Nets, Alabama): Averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocked shots in 34 games with the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets, and 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 23 games with the Brooklyn Nets.
• JD Davison (Boston Celtics, Calhoun, Alabama): Averaged 21.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 49 games with the NBA G League’s Maine Celtics, and 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in eight games with the Boston Celtics.
• Keon Ellis (Sacramento Kings, Alabama): Averaged 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 57 games with the Kings.
• Aaron Estrada (Detroit Pistons, Alabama): Averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 37 games with Alabama.
• Allen Flanigan (Golden State Warriors, Auburn): Averaged 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 32 games with Ole Miss.
• Trey Jemison (Memphis Grizzlies, Hoover, UAB): Averaged 10.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocked shots in 25 games with the NBA G League’s Birmingham Squadron, and 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocked shots in 25 NBA games (two with the Washington Wizards and 23 with the Grizzlies).
• Colby Jones (Sacramento Kings, Mountain Brook): Averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.2 steals in 22 games with the NBA G League’s Stockton Kings, and 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 30 games with the Sacramento Kings.
• Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz, Auburn): Averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocked shots in 64 games with the Jazz.
• Kira Lewis Jr. (Houston Rockets, Hazel Green, Alabama): Averaged 16.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 steals in 13 games in the NBA G League (six with the Birmingham Squadron and seven with Raptors 905), and 3.2 points and 1.3 assists in 28 NBA games (15 with the New Orleans Pelicans, one with the Toronto Raptors, and 12 with the Utah Jazz).
• Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets, Alabama): Averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 74 games with the Hornets.
• Trhae Mitchell (New Orleans Pelicans, South Alabama): Averaged 6.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots in 50 games with the NBA G League’s Rio Grande Vipers.
• Xavier Moon (Orlando Magic, Central-Coosa): Averaged 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots in 31 games with the NBA G League’s Ontario Clippers, and 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 14 games with the Los Angeles Clippers.
• Jaden Shackelford (Oklahoma City Thunder, Alabama): Averaged 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 56 games with the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue.
• Au’Diese Toney (Denver Nuggets, Columbia): Averaged 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 40 games with the NBA G League’s Grand Rapids Gold.
• Jaylin Williams (Denver Nuggets, Auburn): Averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 34 games with Auburn.
• Vonterius Woolbright (Houston Rockets, Lawson State): Averaged 21.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 32 games with Western Carolina.