The returning players in Milwaukee Bucks Summer League roster can sleep well in the meantime after their performance in the team’s first game against the Denver Nuggets.
The team fielded players who all played at least one game for the Bucks last season – Tyler Smith, Chris Livingston, Pete Nance, Andre Jackson Jr., and Jamaree Bouyea.
Tyler Smith, Milwaukee Bucks
Sep 30, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Tyler Smith (21) during Media Day at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
They all scored at least five points, capped off by a buzzer beating three-point shot by Bouyea to pull of the 90-89 win over the Nuggets.
“It was suppposed to be a ghost screen,” Bouyea said post-game when asked about the shot.
“I kind of came off it and tried to get downhill. Got bumped off my line a little bit. Looked up at the clock and took the step back. Went for the pump fake and he jumped. And thank God he jumped because I got it off and it went in.”
BOUYEA. BOOYAH.
JAMAREE CALLED GAME! pic.twitter.com/lw80zpSHBz
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 11, 2025
Andre Jackson Jr.
Sep 30, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during Media Day at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Jackson Jr., who is on his third season with the Bucks after getting drafted 36th overall in 2023, scored 6 points. Livingston, who was waived by the team last week, topped the score board for the Bucks with 18 points while Nance poured in 13 points.
Milwaukee Bucks rookies have different debut
Bogoljub Markovic was the team’s 47th pick but he had a forgettable night, failing to score in 11 minutes. Mark Sears is another rookie on the roster but he had to sit this one out due to a left calf strain.
There is, however, one rookie that impressed fans.
Undrafted rookie Cormac Ryan from North Carolina Tar Heels showed what he can do in front of scouts by scoring 18 points off the bench, three out of six from beyond the arc.
Cormac Ryan leading the squad with 11 points off the bench at the break. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/zLkLReBU5G
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 11, 2025
Cormac Ryan
Mar 28, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cormac Ryan (3) reacts after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
He even got tag as the team’s new AJ Green. And it was not just his shooting but also his basketball I.Q, that got noticed.
Some are now pushing for him to get a two-way contract before somebody else gets him.
Yeah I need Cormac Ryan on a 2 way before he leaves the gym
— Bucks Breakdown (@Bucks_Breakdown) July 11, 2025
Cormac Ryan is having himself a GAME , he’s Shooting, Facilitating, AND defending. pic.twitter.com/HWIH8qjz13
— Follow HeavenlyBuckets (@Heavenlybuckets) July 11, 2025
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