LAS VEGAS — Rookie Kon Knueppel’s team-high 21 points and a lightning-fast start helped fuel the Charlotte Hornets to a hard-fought 83-78 win over the Sacramento Kings in the NBA 2K26 Summer League championship game at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

Here’s how Missouri basketball grads Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill and Kobe Brown performed in this year’s NBA Summer League.

Leading the Hornets to a 6-0 showing and NBA Summer League championship, Wisconsin native Kon Knueppel was named title-game Most Valuable Player.

Now that summer league is concluding and the NBA officially begins its dark period, the stars from Las Vegas must be acknowledged because some unexpected players made big splashes.

League is officially in the books, with the Charlotte Hornets having been declared the 2025 edition’s champions after defeating the Sacramento Kings on S

The Celtics now enter the offseason after their Summer League squad finished their five-game slate in Las Vegas.

Though the Lakers lost to the Clippers on July 14, James was one of the few bright spots as he logged a complete game: 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and three 3-pointers. Additionally, he notably averaged 16.3 ppg, 4.3 apg and 2.6 rpg over a three-game stretch, able to get teammates involved and spark runs throughout.

The New York Knicks closed out their Summer League run on a sour note, losing to the Washington Wizards 85-94. New York finishes Summer League going 1-4 and will now officially transition into next season’s preparations.