NBA Summer League provides spotlight for Arkansas Basketball, Eric Musselman

The attention around Arkansas basketball has grown exponentially since Eric Musselman was hired in 2019. If you need further proof of that – aside from the NCAA Tournament wins, national rankings, draft picks, etc. – look no further than this year’s NBA Summer League.

If you’ve paid attention to any of the action from the last week or so, you’ve noticed how strong the Razorback presence is in Las Vegas. There are seven former Razorbacks participating in this year’s Summer League.

Anthony Black, Ricky Council, Jordan Walsh and Nick Smith Jr. are making their professional debuts. Stanley Umude and Au’Diese Toney are auditioning for training camp invites. Jaylin Williams is getting valuable reps to solidify his future in Oklahoma City’s rotation.

Seven former Razorbacks are getting opportunities with NBA teams in a single Summer League and it’s not a coincidence.

Before Eric Musselman arrived in Fayetteville there were just three former Razorbacks in the NBA: Patrick Beverly, Bobby Portis and Dan Gafford. Last season, that number doubled to six. This season, we could realistically see ten former Razorbacks on NBA rosters.

Summer League Spotlight

Not only are former Razorbacks in the NBA, but they’re getting recognition. Take the NBA Summer League coverage on ESPN and social media, for example.

Out of the Orlando Magic’s last 20 tweets, Anthony Black has been featured in nearly half of them. His performance against the Indiana Pacers on Monday was the lead in on SportsCenter’s NBA Summer League coverage that night.

AB threads the needle 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eiuix8vth9

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 11, 2023

Nick Smith Jr. dropped 33 points on Tuesday night and stole the attention away from his teammate – and No. 2 overall pick – Brandon Miller. Another glance at social media shows Jordan Walsh becoming a Celtics fan-favorite. The second round pick made his debut to rave reviews from all corners of NBA media.

On the court, Jaylin Williams is proving he should be part of the Thunder’s long-term plans. Away from the court, he won the $10,000 Summer League players Call of Duty tournament. The tweet of Williams holding the championship belt from that tournament has been viewed over 620,000 times.

Congratulations Jaylin Williams! https://t.co/ELAS2EM4IO pic.twitter.com/2SCBbkT40t

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 10, 2023

If that isn’t enough, Eric Musselman has been interviewed on ESPN twice during Summer League games. Musselman has been a consistent presence in Las Vegas, supporting all of his former players.

While all of this attention may get overlooked, it plays an important role in sustaining a successful program.

Growing the Arkansas Basketball Brand

Eric Musselman has built Razorback basketball back into a successful program. His unique ways of branding and marketing Arkansas have been crucial – specifically through social media. While it may rub opposing fans and coaches the wrong way, there’s a method to it.

Brand recognition is important and Musselman knows that. Every ESPN interview and Twitter post has a purpose behind it. That is to let the world know that if you come to Arkansas and play for Eric Musselman, you’re going to get attention and opportunities.

The NBA Summer League coverage is a big deal because the Arkansas basketball brand is being showcased. What Eric Musselman has built – and continues to build – is being highlighted while the basketball world is watching.

Don’t discount that significance when it comes to recruiting and the transfer portal. Players notice these types of things.

What made Duke and Mike Krzyzewski such a dominant force in college basketball has a lot to do with brand recognition. So many former Duke players went on to have success in the NBA that it became an invaluable tool to use in recruiting. Playing for Krzyzewski eventually became a resume booster for NBA prospects, and Duke reaped the rewards of elite talent year-to-year.

For Arkansas basketball to have sustained success like a “blue blood,” they’ll need to continue to grow the Razorback brand in a similar way.

The more former Razorbacks in the NBA? The brand grows. The more ESPN interviews Musselman does? The brand grows. The more success former Razorbacks have in the NBA? The brand grows.

So, while you may not have cared much about this year’s NBA Summer League, it’s playing a role in the future of Arkansas basketball. A future that is in extremely good hands with Eric Musselman.