Former Louisville basketball star Chucky Hepburn is ready to make his NBA Summer League debut tomorrow evening against the Chicago Bulls. Hepburn spent one season with Louisville, but certainly made the most of it, earning All-ACC First Team honors and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
He was then signed moments after the NBA Draft concluded by the Toronto Raptors on a two-way deal. Hepburn is one of the names Raptors fans are looking forward to watching in Las Vegas, as the former Cardinal boasts elite defensive skills and can control the pace of the game on offense.
The Raptors and the Bulls will tip off tomorrow, July 11, at 8 p.m. local time on ESPN+ + or NBA TV.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star earns two-way deal after All-ACC season
Former Louisville basketball star set to steal the show in NBA Summer League debut
Hepburn is coming off his best season in college basketball, averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent from beyond the 3-point line. The 6-foot-2 guard is gaining some hype around his name before the NBA Summer League for his defense.
The former Cardinal will join the Raptors Summer League and, after Las Vegas, will join the Raptors 905 G League squad. However, it all starts tomorrow for Hepburn.
The Cardinals fans know what this elite, under-the-radar point guard can do, but for those who didn't watch many Louisville games, his impact may not be fully understood.
Hepburn was disrespected by the Bob Cousy Award last year, as he had every right to be a top 10 finalist. Hepburn won't put up the flashiest numbers, but when watching his film, he is all over the floor.
He is the general on the court, and he will get players open, create shots for himself, penetrate the defense, and be a nightmare on the defensive side.
Hepburn put up multiple 30-point performances for Louisville and quickly became a fan favorite. His dominant performance against Pitt will go down in the history books when he splashed six straight 3-pointers to end the half, and it is one of the reasons he now has a two-way deal.
Chucky Hepburn vs Pitt tonight..
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 2, 2025
37 PTS (9-11 FG, 6-6 3PT, 13-17 FTs)
4 AST
4 REBS
2 STLS
How we feeling, is he a PRO? pic.twitter.com/NzulyStA4A
Hepburn will share the court with the Raptors' two draft picks, Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin. The former Cardinal must turn heads in game one and leave a good first impression, as the Raptors have just four Summer League games scheduled as of now.
Related: Louisville basketball Chucky Hepburn's rise draws Hall-of-Fame comparisons
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