NBA Summer League action is underway and Indiana basketball has several former players to watch for over the next several weeks. Five former Hoosiers across four NBA organizations will be competing this summer for roster consideration, exposure and/or critical development ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 seasons.
Those players include: **Jalen Hood-Schifino** (Philadelphia 76ers), **Kel'el Ware** (Miami Heat), **Miller Kopp** (Oklahoma City Thunder), **Oumar Ballo** (Miami Heat) and **Tamar Bates** (Denver Nuggets). Former IU standouts Xavier Johnson and Race Thompson played in the G-League last season but did not receive Summer League invites, while former IU guard Trey Galloway participated in pre-draft workouts this spring in hopes of landing with an organization.
Ware is the only former Hoosier playing in the Summer League who has a guaranteed NBA roster spot heading into next season; the 7-foot center will be entering year two of his rookie contract. Kopp and Ballo are likely slated to begin next season in the G-League depending on where they sign.
The two players with crucial Summer Leagues upcoming are Hood-Schifino and Bates. Hood-Schifino, who began his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, is currently an unrestricted free agent this offseason and played on a two-way contract with the 76ers to finish last season. Bates, who finished his college career at Missouri, went undrafted in June and later signed with the Nuggets on a two-way deal.
Hood-Schifino's Summer League performance is arguably the most important of the five former Hoosiers due to the stakes. A good showing could land Hood-Schifino back on an NBA roster for his third season in the Association, but organizations might still be skeptical after two underwhelming campaigns. The former 17th overall pick in 2023 has spent much of his professional career alternating between the G-League and NBA, tallying 36 NBA appearances and averaging 3.9 points, 1.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.
Hood-Schifino finished last season on a high note after receiving extended minutes with the injury-riddled 76ers. In 13 games he logged a career-high 7.8 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. The former Big Ten Freshman of the Year shot 37.1 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from 3-point range and 84.2 percent at the free throw line.
Ware earned All-Rookie Second Team honors this past season after a strong debut campaign in Miami. The former 15th overall pick emerged in the second half of the year as a lineup mainstay, appearing in 64 games with 36 starts and averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game.
Ware's biggest developmental hurdle in his sophomore season will be in his 3-point shooting consistency and overall effectiveness in an expanded role over an 82-plus game season. Ware played spotty minutes for much of his rookie campaign, so increasing his production as his minutes increase will be critical. Ware also shot 31.5 percent from 3-point range on 1.7 attempts per game, which points to inconsistency from the perimeter.
Rounding out the former Hoosiers in the Summer League are Ballo and Kopp. Ballo went undrafted this spring but has received multiple looks from NBA team as a developmental G-League player. Kopp has spent the last two seasons as part of the OKC Thunder organization and was one of the best 3-point shooters in the G-League last year with a 41.3 percent make rate from deep.