Louisville basketball has four alums representing the program in the NBA Summer League this summer. The Summer League is taking place in Las Vegas, Nev., and while some of the Cardinals aren't getting the exact results they want, one player is starting to turn heads.
Chucky Hepburn signed a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors shortly after the 2025 NBA Draft concluded. The Raptors are a perfect fit for the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year, as Toronto loves aggressive defenders who can develop offensively.
Hepburn started slow in his first performance of the 2025 NBA Summer League, but after he got the nerves out, the undrafted guard for the Raptors bounced back and stacked his stat sheet in just 15 minutes of game time.
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Chucky Hepburn steps up in 2025 NBA Summer League
Hepburn finished the game with six points, four assists, and two steals while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc. He splashed two 3-pointers, and all his field goals came from downtown.
All eyes were on Collin Murray-Boyles and Jase Richardson, the No. 9 and No. 25 overall picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, but the former Cardinal was a player who turned many Raptors fans' heads last night.
Hepburn earned All-ACC First Team and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, so it came as no surprise that he was quickly signed after the NBA Draft concluded. The former Cardinal signing a two-way deal is poised to become a massive steal for the Raptors, as if Toronto can develop his jump shot to be more consistent, then he has a chance to become a stud off the bench for Darko Rajaković.
Raptors fans saw the potential from Hepburn last night, as he was tied for the team high in assists, displaying his elite playmaking abilities, and was second on the team in steals. The former Cardinals star helped Toronto score 44 points off 29 turnovers in the game. The Raptors' defense provided intense pressure throughout the game, earning 16 steals, and Hepburn was a crucial piece on the defensive side.
Hepburn still has a lot more to prove, but he took a big leap from his first game. The defense, intensity, and instincts are there for Hepburn, now he just has to develop that jump shot to be more consistent and reliable.
After this impressive showing last night in the 2025 Summer League, Hepburn is poised to become a big-time steal for the Raptors. The Raptors are expecting to continue their rebuild this upcoming season, and fans are hoping Hepburn can develop into a solid bench piece later this year or next.
Hepburn and the Raptors' next game is tomorrow at 8 p.m. local time against the Denver Nuggets, and former Louisville teammate Reyne Smith, on ESPN+.
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