The NBA announced the 2026 All-Summer League First and Second Teams on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors was named Summer League MVP after averaging 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and delivering 21 points in the championship win. The top two picks, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, did not make either team after being shut down early.
Key Takeaways
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Golden State Warriors, No. 11 pick) named 2026 NBA Summer League MVP
- Lendeborg averaged 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds per game; 21 points, 10 rebounds in the championship
- First Team: Cameron Boozer, Brayden Burries, Yaxel Lendeborg, Meleek Thomas, Caleb Wilson
- Second Team: Cedric Coward, Egor Demin, Khaman Maluach, Liam McNeeley, Zyon Pullin
- AJ Dybantsa (25.0 ppg) and Darryn Peterson (20.7 ppg) did not make either team, shut down too early
- Golden State Warriors beat Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 to win the Summer League Championship
- Liam McNeeley shot a tournament-best 52% from three-point range
- Khaman Maluach averaged a double-double: 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game
- Zyon Pullin led Second Team players with 7.8 assists per game
- Teams selected by media members and team personnel after the Las Vegas tournament concluded
Summer League MVP: Yaxel Lendeborg
Yaxel Lendeborg was the unanimous choice for Summer League MVP after leading Golden State to the championship.
The No. 11 pick from Michigan averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game across the full tournament. His best performance came in the championship game, with 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Warriors beat Memphis 94-90. He scored seven consecutive Warriors points in the final three minutes to seal the win.
He also became just the second player in history to win both an NCAA Division I national championship and an NBA Summer League title in the same year.
According to NBA.com, Lendeborg “has quickly shown why the Warriors have so much hope he’ll be able to immediately contribute” in 2026-27.
2026 NBA All-Summer League First Team
Cameron Boozer – Memphis Grizzlies (No. 3 pick). One of the most consistent players in Las Vegas. Played all six games, including the championship (19 points in the final). Versatile scorer and rebounder throughout.
Brayden Burries Flew under the radar compared to lottery picks but delivered consistent scoring. Bleacher Report noted he was one of the best pure scorers at the entire event and drew significant scout attention.
Yaxel Lendeborg – Golden State Warriors (No. 11 pick) Tournament MVP. Championship performer. Full details above.
Meleek Thomas Consistent scoring and competitive play across multiple appearances earned him a First Team spot alongside the more heavily covered lottery picks.
Caleb Wilson – Chicago Bulls (No. 4 pick). According to NBA.com, Wilson “showed Chicago he has competitiveness and moxie.” He scored at least 19 points in all four of his Summer League games, demonstrating the athleticism and scoring consistency that made him the fourth overall pick.
2026 NBA All-Summer League Second Team
Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 41.7% from three. Key part of the Grizzlies’ championship run. Consistent performer across all six Memphis games.
Egor Demin – Brooklyn Nets: 21.0 points, 4.3 assists per game. One of the highest scorers at the tournament. Three-point shooting dipped to 30% but his overall offensive impact and playmaking were clear throughout. Bleacher Report said he “looked too good for this environment.”
Khaman Maluach – Phoenix Suns 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 40% from three. The best rebounding average of any Summer League player. A modern center who can stretch the floor, exactly what Phoenix needed to see from him.
Liam McNeeley – Charlotte Hornets: 21.7 points per game, 52% from three. The best three-point shooter at the entire Summer League. Injuries limited him as a rookie in 2025-26, but this performance showed he is ready to be a genuine scoring contributor in 2026-27.
Zyon Pullin – Minnesota Timberwolves: 21.0 points, 7.8 assists, 7.8 rebounds per game. Led all Second Team players in assists. His 35.7% three-point shooting added a scoring dimension to his playmaking ability.
Why Dybantsa and Peterson Did Not Make Either Team
The biggest surprise of the announcement was the absence of the top two picks.
AJ Dybantsa averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks, the most points per game by any No. 1 pick in Summer League history. But the Wizards shut him down after just two games.
Darryn Peterson averaged 20.7 points and 4.0 assists across three games before the Jazz shut him down.
According to Yahoo Sports, the selection panel requires a meaningful number of appearances to be eligible. Two and three games respectively, were not enough for consideration, the same situation No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg faced in 2025 after his early shutdown. Both players’ per-game numbers were outstanding, but the process rewards volume alongside quality.
Championship Recap: Warriors 94, Grizzlies 90
The tournament ended on July 20 with Golden State defeating Memphis in a thriller. Lendeborg’s 21-point, 10-rebound performance was the difference. Boozer gave Memphis 19 points in a strong individual showing, but Golden State’s balanced attack and Lendeborg’s clutch scoring in the final minutes sealed the Warriors’ second all-time Summer League title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 NBA Summer League MVP?
Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors won the 2026 NBA Summer League MVP award. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and scored 21 points in the championship game.
Who made the 2026 NBA All-Summer League First Team?
Cameron Boozer (Memphis), Brayden Burries, Yaxel Lendeborg (Golden State), Meleek Thomas and Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls).
Who made the 2026 NBA All-Summer League Second Team?
Cedric Coward (Memphis), Egor Demin (Brooklyn), Khaman Maluach (Phoenix), Liam McNeeley (Charlotte) and Zyon Pullin (Minnesota).
Why did AJ Dybantsa not make the All-Summer League Team?
Dybantsa averaged 25.0 points per game but played only two games before Washington shut him down. The selection panel requires a sufficient number of appearances to qualify, regardless of per-game production.
Who won the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship?
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 on July 20, 2026, in Las Vegas.
What were Liam McNeeley’s Summer League stats?
McNeeley averaged 21.7 points per game while shooting 52% from three, the best three-point percentage among all Summer League selections.
Conclusion
The 2026 NBA Summer League gave the basketball world exactly what it wanted, a loaded rookie class putting on a show in Las Vegas. Lendeborg earned his MVP with a championship performance. Boozer, Wilson and McNeeley gave their franchises genuine optimism. And even Dybantsa and Peterson, absent from the official teams, showed they are ready for the NBA level.
The regular season starts in October. Summer League gave the preview. Now the real work begins.
For more NBA Summer League coverage and basketball news, visit StreamEast.
