The 2026 NBA Draft concluded a couple of weeks ago, and Louisville basketball fans saw a couple of Cardinals drafted for the first time since 2015. Louisville fans saw Mikel Brown Jr. snap a 36-year draft drought for the Cardinals as he was the first Cardinal selected in the top six of the draft since 1990.
As for the other Cardinal drafted, Ryan Conwell went No. 37 overall to the Miami Heat. The Heat is the perfect destination for the former Cardinal, as Miami recently made a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, forcing the Heat to go get some major bench pieces.
Well, Conwell is quickly showing why he was the perfect pick for the Heat, as the former Cardinal had an eye-popping NBA Summer League debut just yesterday.
Ryan Conwell has an eye-popping NBA Summer League debut
The Miami Heat took on the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Summer League California Classic, and in Conwell’s debut, he sent a loud message. Following the Heat’s pick, Conwell was getting a lot of praise as many believe this is going to be a perfect fit for the former Cardinal, and wow, did he just prove everyone right.
Conwell led all scorers in points with 21 points in 29 minutes after shooting 34 percent from the field, including making three 3-pointers on 43 percent from beyond the arc. On top of his ability to score, Conwell had three rebounds, three assists, and a +10 in the Heat's win over the Spurs.
Ryan Conwell (21 PTS, 3 3PM) was HOOPIN' 🔥
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) July 4, 2026
The 37th overall pick and the Heat pick up the dub in the California Classic! pic.twitter.com/HQBxQPiBCQ
The former Cardinal has a high ceiling for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, and he showcased that last night. The hope is for Conwell to be that elite lefty 3-pointer shooter for Erik Spoelstra as the former Cardinal led Louisville in 3-pointers made this past season with a dominant 112.
Conwell is one of the few to make 99 3-pointers or more in three straight college basketball seasons, joining elite company with JJ Reddic and Steph Curry. Now, in his first NBA Summer League game, he is showing exactly why he is poised to make an immediate impact for the Miami Heat.
In his collegiate career, he made 347 3-pointers while shooting nearly 38 percent from beyond the arc. He averaged 2.9 3’s made per game in his sophomore and junior seasons, and increased it to 3.3 3’s made per game with Louisville in his final season.
Now, in his debut with the Heat this summer, Conwell didn’t skip a beat and picked up right where he left off. The former Cardinal has a bright future with the Heat, and he is already turning heads with just one performance.
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