On Sunday, Louisville basketball fans and Toronto Raptors fans saw Chucky Hepburn step up big time and provide suffocating defense on the Orlando Magic. He was able to secure two steals in the Raptors' win, but also showed some offensive potential.
Hepburn scored just six points but added four assists, shooting 50 percent from the 3-point line, as he splashed two 3-pointers. The former Louisville All-ACC point guard is scheduled to go head-to-head with former Cardinals sharpshooter Reyne Smith tonight, but the Summer League experience has been drastically different for Smith.
Pat Kelsey has a total of three former Louisville players in the 2025 NBA Summer League, and the experience for Smith and Terrence Edwards Jr. isn't as smooth as it is for Hepburn.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star turning heads after NBA Summer League performance
Two former Louisville basketball stars are forced to face the harsh reality
Smith and Edwards were hoping to showcase their skills and prove they are worthy of an NBA G League contract, or at least a workout after their time in Las Vegas. However, both players have yet to see the floor through three games, and it might be time for these two Louisville stars to realize that their NBA chances are getting slimmer every day.
Smith is coming off a historic season with Louisville, as he made the second-most 3-pointers in a single season in program history. He is one of the best shooters in the nation, but his liability on defense might be hurting him at the NBA level.
He went on to make 401 3-pointers in his four collegiate seasons. He possesses the skills to be a player like Isaiah Joe on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he isn't currently getting the opportunity with the Denver Nuggets.
As for Edwards, he is on the Milwaukee Bucks, and the 6-foot-6 guard led Kelsey's Cardinals last season with 16.7 points per game while also adding 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 44.0 percent from the field.
Edwards earned a spot on the All-ACC Third team while being a key piece in Louisville's historic run to the program's first ACC Championship game. It is sad to see both players earn zero minutes in the 2025 NBA Summer League, and it will be interesting to see if they get picked up by any other teams.
However, as of now, they will likely pursue the international route and seek a club overseas to continue their professional basketball careers. Hepburn and Smith will play each other tonight on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. local time.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star sends legendary praise to Mikel Brown Jr.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.