Memphis basketball players on NBA Summer League rosters, including Dain Dainja, Lester Quinones
And, just like most years, Memphis basketball is well represented. A host of former Tigers who suited up for coach Penny Hardaway at one time or another will try to make a name for themselves in front of NBA scouts and executives.
Some have already shone this year. David Jones-Garcia scored 25 points for the San Antonio Spurs in a win over the Golden State Warriors on July 6. Dain Dainja dropped 13 points for the Miami Heat against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 5.
Here's a rundown of all the former Tigers who will be in action during summer league.
Dain Dainja, Miami Heat
The undrafted 6-foot-9 big man dominated down the stretch for Memphis in 2024-25, finishing as the team's leading rebounder and its second-leading scorer en route to first-team all-AAC honors.
In his professional debut, Dainja scored 13 points and had three rebounds and two steals.
Moussa Cisse, Dallas Mavericks
The undrafted 6-11 center played two non-consecutive seasons for the Tigers (2020-21 and 2024-25). He was the primary starter the first half of the season before becoming Dainja's backup.
Cisse signed an Exhibit-10 contract (a one-year, minimum-salary NBA deal) with the Mavs on June 26.
The Mavs' first summer league game is against the Lakers on July 10 (7 p.m., ESPN).
Nick Jourdain, New York Knicks
Jourdain, a 6-9 Clifton, N.J., native, spent two seasons at Memphis and played in 65 games (60 starts).
David Jones-Garcia, San Antonio Spurs
The bucket-getting wing (who went by David Jones during his one season, 2023-24, at Memphis) was undrafted in 2024. He initially signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, then signed with the Utah Jazz. But he never got into an NBA game last season, instead spending the majority of his time with the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Cleveland Cavaliers
The do-it-all forward went undrafted after playing the final 21 games of the 2023-24 season at Memphis. Tomlin eventually signed a two-way deal with the Cavs and played in five games for Cleveland (including one start) last season, averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Jonathan Pierre, Washington Wizards
The 6-9 undrafted forward spent the past season at Belmont (14.5 points per game). Before that, Pierre played one season (2023-24) for Hardaway, putting up modest results (1.8 points, 0.7 rebounds a game). His collegiate career began at Nova Southeastern (Division II).
Damion Baugh, Charlotte Hornets
Baugh, who finished his career at TCU, spent his first two seasons in college at Memphis. After going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Lakers, then the Knicks, then the Hornets. Last season, he played in 15 games (two starts) for Charlotte, averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.
MORE: Inside Penny Hardaway's push for Memphis basketball to prioritize high school recruiting again
Lester Quinones, New Orleans Pelicans
The well traveled guard − ironically, one of the last Tigers to play multiple seasons at Memphis without transferring − is with his third organization since going undrafted in 2022. First, he signed with the Warriors, splitting time between the G League and Golden State for two seasons (41 total games played for the Warriors). Next, he signed with the 76ers, playing four games before being waived. Then, on March 3, 2025, he signed a two-way deal with the Pelicans.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Denver Nuggets
The 6-10 center played one season (2022-23) at Memphis. This is his second time playing in the summer league (Mavs, 2023). Akobundu-Ehiogu most recently played professionally in Italy.
Landers Nolley II, Philadelphia 76ers
After beginning his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, Nolley spent two seasons at Memphis before transferring to Cincinnati. Undrafted in 2023, the shooting guard signed with the Pelicans before spending time in the G League (Birmingham Squadron) that year. Since then, he has bounced around, playing professionally in Venzuela, Greece and Taiwan.
Boogie Ellis, Phoenix Suns
The former Tigers guard, who spent two seasons at Memphis (2019-21) before transferring to USC, signed with the Kings in 2024. He was then part of a trade that sent him to the Noblesville Boom (the Pacers' G League affiliate).
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball players on 2025 NBA Summer League rosters
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