Four Former Gators Hit the NBA Summer League: A New Era Begins!

Lake City, USA - In a thrilling development for basketball fans, four former Florida Gators have snagged spots on NBA Summer League rosters. The players—Alijah Martin, Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Colin Castleton—are set to showcase their skills on a national stage as the summer league competition kicks off this Saturday.

Alijah Martin and Colin Castleton will don Toronto Raptors colors, marking a significant moment for both players. Martin, picked in the second round at 39th overall during the 2025 NBA Draft, is stepping into his first NBA competition. Castleton, who previously went undrafted in 2023, is now entering his second year with the Raptors after signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

First Matches on the Horizon

Meanwhile, Walter Clayton Jr., selected in the first round of the same draft, is slated to play with the Utah Jazz, and Will Richard will suit up for the Golden State Warriors after being drafted in the second round. This summer will be a first for Martin, Clayton Jr., and Richard as they hit the courts aiming to make their mark.

As part of the NBA Summer League, Richard and the Warriors will go head-to-head against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 5 at 6:30 pm ET, currently set to broadcast on ESPN2. Following that matchup, Clayton Jr. and the Jazz will face off with the Philadelphia 76ers later that evening at 9 pm ET on ESPN.

Fans of the Raptors can catch Martin and Castleton in action when they meet the Chicago Bulls on July 11 at 8 pm in the NBA2K26 Summer League, with coverage available on NBA TV and ESPN+

Broader Context of NBA Talent

Expanding out from Florida, the Summer League is a crucial platform for NBA rookies trying to secure their place in the league. This year’s roster features a colorful mix of talent from across college basketball. The preliminary games, set for July 6-10 in California and July 8-10 in Salt Lake, will see a wide array of teams, including the likes of the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, compete for early bragging rights.

While the 2024 NBA draft class started with questions about its strength, it appears that recent performances are beginning to reveal hidden gems. Standouts from this year’s draft, such as Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets and Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies, have begun to show promise, indicating that there is depth worth watching, as highlighted by College Sports Wire.

Potential Impact of Gators in the League

The entry of Martin, Clayton Jr., Richard, and Castleton into the Summer League not only bolsters the representation from the University of Florida but also serves to inspire future Gators. As the competition unfolds, fans and analysts will be eagerly scrutinizing every move these athletes make. With the Summer League set to run until July 22 in Las Vegas, it’s a busy time ahead.

The stakes are high, and the potential rewards even higher as these four players step into the limelight. The excitement around their games will certainly have fans buzzing, eager to see how well their former stars can translate their collegiate success into NBA prowess. The Summer League stands as a proving ground—may the best players shine!

For those interested in following the stats and performance of the league, detailed analytics are available, capturing everything from averages and totals to advanced metrics on player performance throughout the summer series, as outlined by Real GM.

Catch all the action and updates as these Gators take on their new challenges in the NBA Summer League!

SI.com reports that… Real GM has detailed statistical insights… and College Sports Wire has pointed out the emerging stars.