Two State Players In Action at 2026 NBA Summer League
July 08, 2026 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State men's basketball program will be represented by Cameron Matthews and RJ Melendez in the 2026 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion from July 9-19.
Matthews will suit up for the Charlotte Hornets, while Melendez will continue to see action with the San Antonio Spurs. Melendez posted 4.3 points and 3.0 blocks per game over his three appearances at the NBA Summer League California Classic from July 3-6.
Both players suited up in the NBA G-League last season. Matthews provided 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game with Rio Grande Valley Vipers followed by Melendez's 11.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game with the Mexico City Capitanes.
All 30 NBA franchises will play at least five games which begin with four matchups on-tap from July 9-16. The top four teams will advance to a semifinal doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 18 on Prime Video. The two semifinal winners will meet for the title at the NBA Summer showcase event on Sunday, July 19 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. The 26 teams that don't advance to the four-team playoff will play their final game between July 17-19.
The entire 76-game docket slated over 11 days will air on Prime Video or the ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+).
2026 NBA Summer League – Las Vegas, Nevada
Pool Play – July 9-16; Championship Play – July 18-19; Consolation Play – July 17-19
All Times Central; All games streamed on Prime Video, ESPN games streamed on ESPN+
Thursday, July 9
3:30 p.m. (ESPN2) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Atlanta Hawks
6:30 p.m. (Prime Video) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Orlando Magic
Saturday, July 11
3 p.m. (ESPN) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. New Orleans Pelicans
5 p.m. (ESPN) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. New York Knicks
Sunday, July 12
4 p.m. (ESPN2) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Boston Celtics
8 p.m. (ESPN) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Wednesday, July 15
6:30 p.m. (Prime Video) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8:30 p.m. (Prime Video) - San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Utah Jazz
State is led by Chris Jans who is the only coach in program history to guide the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament during three of his first four seasons. The Bulldogs are slated to face Tennessee Tech on November 2 for their 2026-27 season opener at Humphrey Coliseum.
Mississippi State is now accepting season ticket renewals for the 2026-27 season at www.HailState.com/tickets.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the State's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on their official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.
STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State men's basketball program will be represented by Cameron Matthews and RJ Melendez in the 2026 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion from July 9-19.
Matthews will suit up for the Charlotte Hornets, while Melendez will continue to see action with the San Antonio Spurs. Melendez posted 4.3 points and 3.0 blocks per game over his three appearances at the NBA Summer League California Classic from July 3-6.
Both players suited up in the NBA G-League last season. Matthews provided 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game with Rio Grande Valley Vipers followed by Melendez's 11.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game with the Mexico City Capitanes.
All 30 NBA franchises will play at least five games which begin with four matchups on-tap from July 9-16. The top four teams will advance to a semifinal doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 18 on Prime Video. The two semifinal winners will meet for the title at the NBA Summer showcase event on Sunday, July 19 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. The 26 teams that don't advance to the four-team playoff will play their final game between July 17-19.
The entire 76-game docket slated over 11 days will air on Prime Video or the ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+).
2026 NBA Summer League – Las Vegas, Nevada
Pool Play – July 9-16; Championship Play – July 18-19; Consolation Play – July 17-19
All Times Central; All games streamed on Prime Video, ESPN games streamed on ESPN+
Thursday, July 9
3:30 p.m. (ESPN2) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Atlanta Hawks
6:30 p.m. (Prime Video) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Orlando Magic
Saturday, July 11
3 p.m. (ESPN) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. New Orleans Pelicans
5 p.m. (ESPN) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. New York Knicks
Sunday, July 12
4 p.m. (ESPN2) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Boston Celtics
8 p.m. (ESPN) – San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Wednesday, July 15
6:30 p.m. (Prime Video) – Charlotte Hornets (Matthews) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8:30 p.m. (Prime Video) - San Antonio Spurs (Melendez) vs. Utah Jazz
State is led by Chris Jans who is the only coach in program history to guide the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament during three of his first four seasons. The Bulldogs are slated to face Tennessee Tech on November 2 for their 2026-27 season opener at Humphrey Coliseum.
Mississippi State is now accepting season ticket renewals for the 2026-27 season at www.HailState.com/tickets.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the State's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on their official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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