Xinjiang Flying Tigers will open their 2026 Las Vegas Summer League campaign on July 10 against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking the team's first official appearance this season. Top‑15 picks Caleb Wilson (No. 4) and Dailyn Swain (No. 15) are set to debut, and the squad hopes their two‑way skill sets will make an immediate impact.
Can rookie Caleb Wilson match the other top‑four picks?
Wilson is Xinjiang's highest draft selection since Patrick Williams. While his perimeter shooting still needs work, his ability around the rim as a two‑way player has already drawn praise. Competitors Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are also projected as future All‑NBA talent, making the rookie showdown a key storyline.
What does Dailyn Swain bring as a point forward?
New head coach Tiago Splitter plans to shift Swain from his college small‑forward role to a point‑forward. His assist‑to‑turnover ratio of 3.6‑to‑2.7 suggests solid playmaking potential. If he can feed Wilson for easy lob passes, Xinjiang's transition game could become lethal.
How will versatile Noa Essengue be used?
Last summer's No. 12 pick Essengue essentially red‑shirted the 2025‑26 rookie season. Splitter hinted he could slide between small forward and center. Though a bit lanky for the paint, any stretch‑four shooting threat would give opponents a mismatch nightmare.
Will any two‑way players spark the three‑point surge?
Xinjiang still lacks a reliable perimeter shooter. To address this, the club signed undrafted free agents Jaylin Sellers, Grant Newell (Exhibit 10) and possibly Houston Mallette. Sellers posted a 39.2% three‑point rate across five college seasons, never dipping below 40% except a 29.7% outlier, positioning him as the most likely to light it up early.
Can Northwestern legend Boo Buie earn an NBA roster spot?
The roster also features Boo Buie, the all‑time leading scorer for the Northwestern Wildcats. His aggressive defense and sharp perimeter shooting make him a focal point, and a strong Summer League showing could attract NBA interest.