The bright lights in Las Vegas are not only for the glitz and glamour of the Strip; they also light up the hardwood floor at the NBA Summer League, where rising basketball stars from around the world showcase their skills in hopes of making an NBA roster before the season starts.
This year, five former USC players are taking the floor, representing the Trojans on five different NBA Summer League teams, a record in the program’s history. What does this mean for USC basketball? How are these former Trojans adjusting to the big stage? Annenberg Media’s Sam Yang was on the ground at Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV to take a deep dive into the Trojan summer league experience.
The NBA 2K25 Summer League draws all 30 teams to Las Vegas for a 10-day showdown. Rookies, sophomores, G-League players, overseas players and other pros vie for roster spots in the upcoming NBA season in front of coaches, scouts and fans.
For the first time in program history, five former USC Trojans suited up to play in the summer league. Boogie Ellis, an All-Pac-12 star guard, is on the roster for the Sacramento Kings; Isaiah Collier, a first-round pick, is playing for the Utah Jazz; DJ Rodman, a graduate transfer, is with the Los Angeles Clippers; Drew Peterson, a second-year G-league pro, continues to represent the Boston Celtics; and of course, Bronny James, the 55th pick of the 2024 NBA draft, joined the Los Angeles Lakers team in Vegas.
The last time USC had such a presence in the NBA Summer League in Vegas was in 2019, when four Trojans—Kevin Porter Jr., Chimeze Metu, Jordan McLaughlin, and Bennie Boatwright—took part before the COVID-19 hiatus in 2020.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft following back-to-back All-Pac-12 honors out of USC, Boogie Ellis landed a roster spot on the Sacramento Kings. Ellis is coming off an 11-point performance versus the Memphis Grizzlies, going 3-for-5 from the 3-point line.
“It’s been great. I am happy to be in Vegas,” Ellis said. “I am just going in with a positive mindset and taking advantage of my opportunities. The Kings have one of the best fanbases and show much love.”
Ellis had a stellar performance against Team China on July 6, including some impressive defensive flashes. Ellis also scored 17 points against the San Antonio Spurs in front of Stephon Castle, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft. He is contributing 11.2 points off the bench thus far in the Summer League.
Ellis finds himself comfortably playing at the pro level with little culture shock. He is impressed by the faster pace and wider spacing that allows him to run the game efficiently.
“There are many high IQ players, and it’s certainly physical,” Ellis said. “(My time at USC) made me someone who’s experienced, and it’s always great being able to adapt to any situation and contribute right away. Everyone knows I can score the ball, so now I can bring in my value on the defensive end and make everything work on the floor.”
Ellis attributes USC’s record presence in the NBA Summer League to the culture the team has created.
“It’s great when you have multiple players on the same team with the opportunity to play at the highest level,” he said. “It shows that everyone who enters the program can play at the highest level after their time there.”
If Ellis lands a contract with the Sacramento Kings, he will have the opportunity to play alongside DeMar DeRozan and Jordan McLaughlin, both Trojan alumni.
“This excites me because we might have the most Trojans on one NBA team,” Ellis said. “It would be a blessing. These are the vets I can ask questions to, mentor me and help me see things I can do, especially Jordan, who made his name after being undrafted.”
After playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves for three years, McLaughlin recently signed with Sacramento. Sitting courtside to catch the Kings play at Thomas and Mack Center, he gave his flowers to USC basketball.
“It’s a great moment,” the former USC guard said. “It just shows you how far the program has grown since I have left. Me, Chimeze (Metu), DeAnthony (Melton]), and now these guys coming out here … [USC] is not a bad spot to go play at.”
In the same arena, Isaiah Collier took the court 24 hours later as the Utah Jazz, who drafted the 6-foot-5 player with the No. 29 pick, played against Ellis and the Kings. Ellis and Collier expressed excitement about potentially sizing each other up during the game.
The moment did come as the former backcourt duo at Galen Center locked each other up for a few possessions, including a full-court press by Ellis. Ellis would finish with five points, while Collier finished with nine.
“It’s great,” Collier said postgame. “We have a history [of USC players in the NBA], and it’s good to see everyone competing at the highest level. I am happy for us all.”
Collier has averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.5 assists per game after averaging 16.3 points in his lone season with USC.
“I am just happy to be here,” Collier said. “There were some adjustments that I had to make, such as learning the terminology and reading the floor. I know I can do a lot: kick corners and finish at the rim. I just have to pay attention to every little detail, but I know I am athletic enough to have high output day by day.”
Both Ellis and Collier commented on the potential of their former USC teammate, Bronny James.
“We are gradually all working our way to the NBA just like everyone else,” Collier said. “We are grinding it out every day and not worrying about one performance on a single night. There are going to be good and bad games. But we will be just fine at the end of the day.”
James — one of the most high-profile college players this year and son of LeBron James — was drafted No. 55 overall by the Lakers. His Summer League journey brought skepticism and criticism, and many questioned his fit and ability to play in the NBA after he went 0-for-15 from 3-point range in the first four games. James has since bounced back and had back-to-back double-digit games against the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Bronny is a great player. He shoots the ball well and is a great defensive guy with the athleticism of a pro,” Ellis said. “As long as he continues to put shots up, and as soon as he gets more comfortable, he will show the world what he’s made of. He’s Bronny James.”
Another former USC player also voiced his support for James. Drew Peterson — a one-year pro with the Boston Celtics — thinks James’s growth is only a matter of time.
“I have been watching USC games this past season, and Bronny is an all-around type of player with a defensive instinct. He is really athletic, so I am excited to see him improve and develop,” Peterson said. “Obviously, he is very young and will get his chance and make the most of it.”
Peterson has had quite a year as a basketball player. After going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Miami Heat and then the Boston Celtics on a two-way contract. Peterson spent most of his time at the G-League’s Maine Celtics and was with Boston when the Celtics won the NBA Finals in June.
“It has been surreal for the past few months,” Peterson said. “I am very fortunate to be a part of a great organization. It’s a different game at this level, but I have learned a lot through this process. I am looking forward to continuing this success.”
Peterson was a big part of USC’s basketball roster from 2020 to 2023, averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
“My time at USC has been awesome,” Peterson said. “Having a pipeline from the program and the development of players is meaningful. It’s great to see guys funnel through the basketball program and get shots at this level.”
Rodman is another key USC player in the Summer League, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. Although he does not see much play time, he thoroughly enjoys himself at practice, posting late-night workouts on Instagram and captioning, “I love this for real.” On July 14, he registered three rebounds and one assist in only two and a half minutes of playtime against the Brooklyn Nets.
Looking ahead, Peterson, Ellis and McLaughlin also discussed USC’s prospects in the Big 10.
“It will be a transition for them, but Musselman knows what he is doing and has a plan. Super excited for these guys,” McLaughlin said.
“They have a great coach and a couple of guys from San Diego,” Ellis, a San Diego native, said. “As long as they put in the work in the weight room and bring that physicality, they can get after it. I am excited to see what they do.”
Peterson, an Illinois native, had high expectations.
“It will be a big first year across the board for all USC programs to compete with new teams,” he said. “Coach Musselman brought in many transfer players, and I am sure he’s got everything in order. Playing big schools like Michigan and Ohio State will be exciting, especially basketball and football, and I will surely follow it.”
In addition to the players in Vegas, former Trojan Zach Brooker, a teammate of all five players at one point in his three-year career at USC, also touched on USC’s pedigree in the Summer League.
“It’s a reflection of the program, the school and the hardworking people behind it,” Brooker said. “The opportunity to play at USC shows who they are and where they can go to perform at the next level. It’s an honor to play along with them at one time.”
Brooker thinks training and coaching prepare these players for league-level play.
“We train like a pro, so when it works out, we are ready. We prepare for these moments,” Brooker said. “Boogie has the chance to be a starting point guard, and Isaiah can get downhill, pushing the pace with electric play. I am not worried about Bronny – he has been dealing with pressure his whole life and will be fine. Drew has an incredibly high IQ and took his G-League team to the G-League finals. He impacts basketball in a winning way, and I believe he’s sticking around. DJ stays ready, has always been counted out, and has that grinding mentality.”
The NBA 2K25 Summer League is underway and continues until July 22. Each of the five Trojans will have a handful of games left to play. They might each be heading into their pursuit of basketball journey in different ways, but the Fight On spirit stays the same, as almost every player quoted that slogan in their interviews.
With this level of appreciation for the program, this degree of support for each other and this sense of pride in being a forever Trojan, the impact on these players is evident. It will surely be meaningful for Trojan sports for a long time to come.