Recapping how 6 former Michigan Wolverines did in NBA Summer League

Kobe Bufkin had 29 points in the Hawks’ summer league opener, more than any other former Michigan Wolverine in a single Summer League game. Here is how the 6 former Wolverines did:

The 2025 NBA Summer League is over and the Michigan Wolverines were well represented, with six alums participating in a handful of games.

Here’s a recap of how those Wolverines did, kicking off with the player who had a 29-point outburst.

Kobe Bufkin – Atlanta Hawks

Averages: 19.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1 steal, 26.8 minutes per game across four games, shot 35.5 percent from the field (62 attempts) and 25.9 percent from three (27 attempts)

Best game: 29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 15-of-15 from the free throw line in a win over the Miami Heat

Bufkin really showed out in the Hawks’ first Summer League, with his nearly 30-point performance leading Atlanta to a win over Vlad Goldin and the Miami Heat. In his four games, Bufkin showcased the talents we saw in Ann Arbor; he created shots for teammates and scored from all three levels, showing off an improved, polished offensive game.

Advanced stats on Hoops Hype show he was one of the best young players in the Summer League.

While Bufkin wasn’t the most efficient player, these reps were valuable considering his injury injury his first two seasons in the pros. Hopefully the Grand Rapids native can build on this and carve out a role for himself in Atlanta this coming season.

Vlad Goldin – Miami Heat

Averages: 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.8 blocks, 17.8 minutes per game across six games, shot 70 percent from field (10 attempts, all two-point attempts)

Best game: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks

Out of the six players on this list, Goldin may have had the best play of the summer league, hitting a game-winning layup to beat the Bucks on July 18. He had 10 points in the first quarter of that game.

Goldin proved the Heat right in signing him to a two-way contract. He did everything he was asked to, rebounding well, protecting the rim, and throwing it down off of the pick-and-roll. There’s always going to be a place for efficient 7-footers like him in the league.

Danny Wolf – Brooklyn Nets

Averages: 9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2 blocks in 24.7 minutes per game across three games, shot 36.4 percent from field (22 attempts) and 33.3 percent from three (nine attempts)

Best game: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block in win over Orlando Magic

While his play wasn’t super consistent in this small sample, Wolf put on a show in that win over the Magic. He hit a few threes, scored off the dribble and made the most of opportunities inside.

Wolf struggled with turnovers last year, and he wasn’t perfect in Summer League, either, averaging 3.3 turnovers per game.

Zavier Simpson – Los Angeles Clippers

Averages: 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game across four games, shot 48 percent from field (25 attempts) and 37.5 percent from three (eight attempts)

Best game: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks

Captain Hook hasn’t appeared in a regular season NBA game since April 14, 2024, but the former Michigan point guard has been a mainstay in summer league, showing off his signature sky hook.

He didn’t play in the Clippers’ final Summer League game due to a knee injury.

Hunter Dickinson – New Orleans Pelicans

Averages: 6.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2 blocks, in 17 minutes per game across three games, shot 57.9 percent from field on 19 shots

Best game: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Dickinson showed off his passing prowess and also scored on this baby hook in the minutes of a loss to the Indiana Pacers. That’s a hook shot we saw a lot in Ann Arbor.

That passing prowess may be the key to Dickinson breaking into an NBA rotation.

Olivier Nkamhoua – Portland Trail Blazers

Averages: 3.8 points, 1.6 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game, shot 41.2 percent from field (17 attempts) and 33 percent from three (nine attempts)

Best game: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks in a win over the Houston Rockets

Nkamhoua played the least amount of minutes of any Wolverine, with perhaps his best highlight being this transition dunk in a win over the Golden State Warriors.