The NBA Summer League tipped off July 6 in San Francisco and concluded Monday in Las Vegas, where recent draft picks and other young players had a chance to showcase their skills in the annual offseason event. Five former members of the Virginia men’s basketball program represented the Cavaliers during the showcase — Reece Beekman for the Golden State Warriors, Ryan Dunn for the Phoenix Suns, Jay Huff for the Orlando Magic, Kihei Clark for the Milwaukee Bucks and Armaan Franklin for the Denver Nuggets.
Beekman, a Cavalier powerhouse and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, signed a two-way contract with the Warriors earlier this month after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was the first Cavalier to appear in the Summer League, starting both games for the Warriors at the California Classic in San Francisco from July 6-10. Beekman poured in 10 points and knocked down a pair of three-pointers in his professional debut, a 105-66 win over the Miami Heat July 6.
The 22-year-old added four points and two assists the following day against the Los Angeles Lakers but was just 1-6 from the field in his team’s 92-68 win. Beekman did not appear in the final game of the California Classic or any of Golden State’s five games during the NBA 2K25 Summer League, the main event in which 30 NBA teams compete in Las Vegas. There remains no explanation from the Warriors about Beekman’s lack of minutes, which came as a surprise following his large role in the first two games.
Ryan Dunn found more consistent playing time than his former Cavalier teammate, perhaps because he was selected No. 28 overall by the Suns in the first round of the NBA Draft in June. The 2023 ACC blocks leader continued to flash his defensive prowess as a professional, swatting six shots and snaring five steals in four games.
Unfortunately, his struggles from the three-point line persisted as well — Dunn made just one of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc. He averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists for Phoenix, who went 2-3 overall in the tournament. Though there remains plenty for Dunn to improve on offense, the Suns’ lack of depth should present an opportunity for him to carve out a role for himself during his rookie year.
Beekman and Dunn were the biggest Virginia names at the Summer League, but Jay Huff played better than both of his younger counterparts. The 7-foot-1 center signed a Summer League contract with the Magic in the first week of July and impressed in the team’s five games, averaging 16.8 points and five rebounds while blocking 2.2 shots per game. Huff was an efficient scorer as well, shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from long range, an aspect of his game he improved drastically while playing for Coach Tony Bennett in Charlottesville.
Huff went undrafted after graduating from the University in 2021 and has spent time on two-way contracts with the Lakers, Washington Wizards and Nuggets during his three-year career. He has starred in the G League — the NBA’s minor league organization — for all three teams, and his breakout display this offseason earned him another two-way contract Wednesday, this time with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Kihei Clark and Armaan Franklin rounded out the Cavaliers’ representation at the Summer League, though neither saw much action. Clark, a three-time All-ACC honoree and the program’s all-time assists leader, appeared in only three of the Bucks’ five games, playing a total of 12 minutes and scoring three points. Franklin saw minimal playing time in just one game for the Nuggets.
Both players graduated from the University in 2023 and have suited up for their respective teams’ G-League affiliates since then. Franklin averaged 12.4 points per game for the Grand Rapids Gold last season, while Clark contributed 4.4 points and 5 assists per game for the Wisconsin Herd.
While Dunn is the only one of the five with a guaranteed NBA contract for the upcoming season, Beekman and Huff should be able to hold on to their two-way contracts. Clark and Franklin may remain in the G League, but they could also take their talents overseas. If they choose the latter, they would join a barrage of former Cavaliers playing professionally in Europe, including Kyle Guy, Mike Tobey, Justin Anderson and Jayden Gardner. Wherever they land, they will continue representing Bennett and the University in the professional ranks.
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