College basketball recruiting has returned to Las Vegas after nearly a decade away, coinciding for the first time with the NBA Summer League. The overlap brought together high school prospects, college coaches, NBA executives and agents in one city.
Nike's EYBL circuit wrapped up four days of competition at the Las Vegas Convention Center this past week. Twenty-two courts hosted games for the boys 15s, 16s and 17s divisions, drawing nearly every major college head coach along with at least half of the NBA's top general managers and presidents of basketball operations.
The timing with Summer League at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Arena allowed coaches to watch recent draft picks and former players while networking with agents on the sidelines. One high-level agent described the week as the new epicenter of basketball, surpassing even the Final Four in importance.
A Nike spokesperson noted that more than 100 NBA player alumni attended the Las Vegas session. The company has not yet committed to returning in 2027, though the setup is expected to become the primary summer destination for the sport.
