The NBA Summer League is a chance for young and less experienced players to stand out and showcase their skills. Three former Gamecock standouts looked to do just that and secure their spots on an NBA roster as training camp approaches. 

A.J. Lawson, G.G. Jackson and Collin Murray-Boyles all traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the competition. Lawson and Murray-Boyles competed for the Toronto Raptors while Jackson played for the Grizzlies. 

Murray-Boyles became the highest drafted player since before the NBA/ABA merger. He was selected ninth overall by the Raptors this past June after a solid sophomore year in garnet and black. 

The Columbia native impressed in Vegas averaging 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, while receiving praise for his suffocating defense. His best performance was a 20-point, nine-rebound outing in a win over the Golden State Warriors. 

Murray-Boyles will face high expectations this upcoming season as the Raptors' No. 9 overall first-round pick. His summer league performances inspired a lot of confidence that his skills can translate to the next level. 

“Just to have a chance to be on the court, my first, I guess, NBA feel, it’s amazing,” Murray-Boyles said after a team win over the Orlando Magic. “I’m glad to do it with these guys. They put a lot of energy into me. Helped me get those first jitters out really fast.”

Lawson played alongside Murray-Boyles on the Raptors' summer league squad. The Gamecock connection was on full display with both players sharing the court often. 

Lawson has bounced around the G-League since leaving South Carolina in 2021. He was undrafted out of college but earned summer league spots with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. 

He later signed a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves after spending the 2022 summer league with the Dallas Mavericks. Lawson was waived by the Timberwolves before the 2022 season began, but later found a spot in the Mavs organization. He spent two seasons playing on the main and G-league teams before the Mavericks waived him. 

Lawson joined the Raptors organization in December of last year and made the most of his opportunity by having a career-best year. 

The former Gamecocks made 26 appearances for the main Raptors team last season. He averaged a career-high nine points in a career-best 18 minutes per game. He scored a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds in a win against the Washington Wizards. 

This summer league, Lawson was a standout for the Raptors, averaging a team-high 19 points with five rebounds and three assists. He was the team’s No. 1 scoring option and showed why he should be considered for a roster spot. 

“Got to thank god for all the work I put in, consistency is finally showing up,” Lawson said.

Jackson is entering his third NBA season and was one of the more experienced summer leaguers on the Grizzlies roster. 

The former second round pick had a stellar rookie season with the Grizzlies, earning a spot in the All-Rookie second team. Injury shortened his sophomore campaign and his numbers slipped as a result. 

This summer league run will help get him back in rhythm and allow him to play significant minutes before the season begins. 

The Grizzlies have a new coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. They worked with Jackson all summer to help him get in the best position to succeed and contribute to the main Memphis team this season. 

“With our newly acquired coaching staff, it’s a lot more explaining, which I’m all ears for. I’m kind of like a sponge,” Jackson said. “We got a lot of different weapons on the team, so it takes a lot of pressure off of me.”

Jackson played in three games of the Vegas summer league and two in the Salt Lake City league. In Salt Lake City, he demonstrated his scoring skills, averaging 24 points per game to finish third among all participants. 

In Vegas, his scoring numbers dipped, but he still shot over 40% from the floor while increasing his rebound and assist averages. 

Following the conclusion of the NBA summer league, teams will set their training camp rosters. Teams are allowed to take 21 players into camp before the roster has to be cut down. The NBA regular season begins on Oct. 21.