Wisconsin basketball fans have a great deal to monitor this summer; several former program leaders are beginning their professional careers in the NBA Summer League.

The first duo to watch is John Tonje and Steven Crowl. Both are on the Utah Jazz‘ summer roster: Tonje via the second round of the NBA draft and Crowl via an Exhibit 10 contract. Here is our recent look at how both players are performing.

Another former Badger making headlines on an NBA court is Chucky Hepburn, who joined the Toronto Raptors via a two-way contract after June’s draft. Unlike Crowl, who has seen limited minutes, and Tonje, who didn’t suit up until Utah’s loss to San Antonio on Monday, Hepburn has been at the center of the action since the summer leagues began.

Here is a quick recap of how he has performed in each of the Raptors’ three contests, all wins, thus far:

Game 1 (116-72 win over Chicago): 14 minutes off the bench, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1-of-5 shooting, 0-of-4 from 3-point range

Game 2 (89-86 win over Orlando): 15 minutes off the bench, 6 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2-of-4 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3-point range

Game 3 (101-97 win over Denver): 13 minutes off the bench, 3 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1-of-6 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3-point range

While the offensive numbers are limited, Hepburn has made headlines with his on-ball defense and floor-general ability. He still faces an uphill path to make the Raptors’ season-opening active roster. However, his contract should guarantee a spot on the franchise’s G League affiliate. While not the top of the sport, the G League would provide Hepburn a great setting to improve at the professional level and develop the necessary skills to eventually join the Raptors’ big-league club.

Hepburn is looking to find an NBA role after a terrific senior season leading the Louisville Cardinals. The former Badger averaged 34.8 minutes, 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field, 33% from 3-point range and 84.4% from the free-throw line. Those tallies helped earn him a First Team All-ACC selection and the 2024-25 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Defense, passing and long-range shooting will be Hepburn’s ticket to the NBA level. We’ll see if he can register a signature performance before the 2025 Summer League concludes.

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