Ahead of the first summer league games next week, the Milwaukee Bucks have released the full list of participants. Among them are Serbian big man Bogolijub Markovic, the 47th pick of this year’s draft, and undrafted free agent signing Mark Sears, from Alabama. Buried within the green shoots and college player invites is six-year veteran wing Keita Bates-Diop. He’s one of the few summer league guys with an appreciable shot to make the Bucks roster.
The Bucks Summer League team will be coached by Jason Love and Spencer Rivers.
And this is the Bucks Summer League Roster: pic.twitter.com/kl4SbiziVe
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) July 3, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks Need Wings
In addition to the three names above, the Bucks filled out the roster with the likes of David Joplin of Marquette, Michigan State’s Frankie Fidler, and of course a handful of youngsters already linked the organization: forward Tyler Smith, guard Andre Jackson Jr., Pete Nance, Jamaree Bouyea, and the recently waived Chris Livingston.
Milwaukee Bucks, Tyler Smith, Keita Bates-Diop, Summer League
Oct 17, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Tyler Smith (21) grabs the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Smith and Jackson Jr., both of whom saw the NBA court last season, should return to the team. Sears has a promising shot. Bogolijub could take a roster spot but what seems more likely, since Smith also plays power forward, is a G League stint or a stash year overseas. With a frontcourt of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Myles Turner, the Bucks have scant playing time available for youngers.
There could, however, be an opportunity at the wing position. Right now, the Bucks don’t have a lot of bench depth there. They re-signed Taurean Prince and brought in Gary Harris, but the latter lacks size and is more of a standard guard anyway. While Jackson might eat up some minutes, the roster clearly has a need there. In today’s NBA especially, teams can never have enough wing players. In these circumstances, Bates-Diop has a shot.
Garry Harris, Milwaukee Bucks, Summer League, Keita Bates-Diop
Dec 21, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives for the basket against Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (14) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Bates-Diop Must Show Bounceback Potential
While material, though, his chances aren’t great. Bates-Diop spent all last season playing for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association. He last played American ball in 2023-24, when he logged 53 games between the Suns and Nets. He averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in a fringe reserve role. In 283 career games, he’s accumulated 6.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 7.4 win shares.
Bates-Diop entered the league in 2018 as the 48th pick, taken by Minnesota. He peaked in 2022-23 with the Spurs, where he started 42 games and scored a career-best 9.7 points per night. He hit threes at 39.4% clip and shot 50.8% from the field overall. That season is an outlier; Bates-Diop is a career 33.3% three-point shooter.
Milwaukee Bucks, Taurean Prince, Summer League, Keita Bates-Diop
Mar 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) reacts after making a three-point shot against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
What he’s known for is his defense. A solid 6-foot-8, he has the size to defend smaller fours and the agility to take on guards. What will he look like after a year out of the league?
He’ll only have four summer league games to win a training camp invite, but compared to guys like Joplin or Fidler, unspectacular college players who went undrafted for a reason, Bates-Diop has a far better chance of making the roster as a depth piece.
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