Desoto County SportsUncategorized

Matthews, Bulldogs ready for NBA Summer League

Credit: MSU Athletics

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

July 10, 2025 – The Mississippi State men’s basketball program will have Garrison Brooks, Cameron Matthews and Tolu Smith III participate in the 2025 NBA 2K26 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion from July 10-20.

Brooks and Smith III will be reunited as teammates with the Detroit Pistons, while Matthews will suit up for the Houston Rockets. All 30 NBA franchises will play at least five games which begin with four matchups on-tap from July 10-17.

The top four teams will advance to a semifinal doubleheader on Saturday, July 19 starting at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN. The two semifinal winners will meet for the title at the NBA Summer showcase event on Sunday, July 20 at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN. The 26 teams that don’t advance to the four-team playoff will play their final game from July 18-20.

The entire 76-game docket slated over 11 days will air on the ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+) or NBA TV. Every game also will be streamed courtesy of the ESPN app and ESPN+.

Tolu Smith III | Detroit Pistons

Smith III, a two-time All-SEC First-Team selection, amassed 17.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in his 2024-25 rookie campaign for the Motor City Cruise as part of his two-way deal. He posted 14 points and eight rebounds during his NBA debut with the Detroit Pistons on April 13.  

Smith III piled up 1,554 points (11th) on a 57.1 field goal percentage (6th) and racked up 81 outings (9th) in double figures. He also grabbed 865 rebounds (7th) and compiled 34 double-doubles over his four seasons in Maroon and White. The last State player before Smith III to earn consensus All-SEC First-Team honors during back-to-back seasons was Jarvis Varnado (2008-09, 2009-10).

Cameron Matthews | Houston Rockets

Matthews, one of 15 finalists for the 2024-25 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, was one of college basketball’s most versatile players. The two-time All-SEC Defensive Team pick is the league’s only player to amass at least 975 points, 850 rebounds, 375 assists and 250 steals over his career. His 274 steals are a program record and fourth in SEC history, while his 871 rebounds (6th), 381 assists (9th), 95 blocks (11th) and 53.3 field goal percentage (T-11th) are among State’s top 15.

Garrison Brooks | Detroit Pistons

Brooks, the son of State assistant coach George Brooks, has played professionally in Lithuania over the last two seasons. He also has spent time with the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks) where he posted 13.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in 2022-23. Brooks amassed over 1,600 points and 1,000 rebounds over his collegiate career at Mississippi State and North Carolina.

2025 NBA Summer League – Las Vegas, Nevada

Pool Play – July 10-17; Championship Play – July 19-20; Consolation Play – July 18-20

All Times Central; All Games Streamed On ESPN App and ESPN+

Friday, July 11

  • 5:00 p.m. (NBA TV) – Detroit Pistons (Brooks, Smith III) vs. New York Knicks
  • 9:00 p.m. (NBA TV) – Houston Rockets (Matthews) vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Sunday, July 13

  • 3:00 p.m. (ESPN2) – Detroit Pistons (Brooks, Smith III) vs. Houston Rockets (Matthews)

Monday, July 14

  • 3:30 p.m. (NBA TV) – Houston Rockets (Matthews) vs. Atlanta Hawks

Tuesday, July 15

  • 3:30 p.m. (NBA TV) – Detroit Pistons (Brooks, Smith III) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Thursday, July 17

  • 3:00 p.m. (NBA TV) – Detroit Pistons (Brooks, Smith III) vs. Miami Heat
  • 7:00 p.m. (NBA TV) – Houston Rockets (Matthews) vs. Portland Trail Blazers