For the first time in the program’s modern history, Liberty has three former players competing for NBA franchises this summer in the Summer League. Zach Cleveland signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and is competing with them this summer while JJ Harper has landed a spot on the Philadelphia 76ers Summer League roster, and Taelon Peter will compete for the Indiana Pacers.
The 2026 Summer League takes place from July 3-19 in three main locations: the main event in Las Vegas including all 30 teams (July 9-19), the California Classic (San Francisco and Sacramento, July 3-6) and the Salt Lake City Summer League (July 4-7).
The Grizzlies are one of several NBA teams Cleveland worked out with in the days leading up to this past week’s draft, a list that also included the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns.
Cleveland played his fourth and final season for the Flames this past year. The 2025-26 Conference USA Player of the Year, All-CUSA first team and NABC East District first team selection averaged 11.9 points (No. 3 on team), 7.6 rebounds (No. 1 on team), 6.8 assists (No. 1 on team), 1.3 blocks (No. 1 on team) and 1.3 steals (No. 3 on team) per game. The Bloomington, Ill. native’s 6.8 assists per game led CUSA and ranked ninth nationally, and his 225 total assists were the third most in a single season in school history. His 6.64 defensive rebounds per contest also led the league and was the 14th-best mark in the country.
Cleveland shared the league lead with nine double-doubles and had the conference’s only triple-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) on Feb. 7 against Missouri State. Cleveland also earned 2025-26 Lou Henson Award finalist and Early Season Watch List recognition and was a 2025-26 Nolan Richardson Award finalist while being named CUSA Player of the Week twice.
Cleveland finished his Liberty Flames career with several other awards: two-time NABC All-District team, three-time All-CUSA, two-time Lou Henson Award finalist and Lou Henson Award Early Season Watch List, three-time CUSA Player of the Week, CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and ASUN Academic Honor Roll. He etched his name in the record books, ending his time as a Flame ranked fourth in program history for career assists (569), eighth in rebounds (749), 25th in points (1,220) and second in blocks (127).
Here’s the full Grizzlies Summer League schedule and how to watch Cleveland:
- July 4 – vs Thunder (14 minutes, 2 points, 1/1 FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, +31)
- July 6 – vs Jazz (13 minutes, 0 points, 0/3 FG, 0/1 3-pt FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, -8)
- July 7 – vs Hawks, 7 pm, ESPNU/Prime Video/NBA TV
- July 10 – vs Bulls, 8 pm, Prime Video
- July 13 – vs Mavericks, 7 pm, ESPN
- July 14 – vs Warriors, 7 pm, ESPN
- July 16 – vs Hawks, 8 pm, Prime Video
Harper enjoyed a strong 2025-26 campaign for the Liberty Flames. The guard from Orlando, Fla. became the second CUSA All-Defensive team member in program history. Additionally, he was named a finalist for the 2025-26 Lefty Driesell Award. The award is presented annually to the top defensive player in Division I college basketball, and Harper was one of only 25 finalists.
Harper averaged 10.8 points (No. 5 on team), 2.7 rebounds (No. 5 on team), 1.5 assists (No. 4 on team), 1.4 steals (No. 2 on team) and 1.0 blocks (No. 2 on team) per game while appearing in and starting all 34 games. He shot 59.2 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from three-point range and 76 percent from the free throw line.
Harper tied for the team lead with 46 steals and finished eighth in Conference USA in steals per game (1.4). His 35 blocks were second most on the squad, with his 1.0 blocks per contest ranking 12th best in the league.
Here’s the full 76ers Summer League schedule and how to watch Harper:
- July 9 – vs Pistons, 5:30 p.m., Prime Video
- July 11 – vs Pacers, 5:30 p.m., Prime Video
- July 14 – vs Rockets, 4 p.m., Prime Video
- July 15 – vs Magic, 4 p.m., ESPNU
Peter, who was taken by the Pacers as the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft last summer, became the third player in Liberty’s program history and the first in the Division I era to be selected in the NBA Draft. Peter is the first Flame selected in the draft in 40 years, when Cliff Webber was drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Celtics. With the selection, Peter becomes the highest NBA Draft pick in program history. Liberty’s other previous NBA Draft picks include Webber (1985/Round 4/Boston Celtics) and Ezra Hill (1984/Round 10/Phoenix Suns).
Peter played in 38 games with the Pacers this past season, averaging 12.9 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.7 steals per game. He also shot 38.0% from the field, 32.8% from three and 62.5% from the free throw line. He scored in double figures six times during the regular season, including a stretch of four straight games played from mid-February into early March. Peter’s career high for the Pacers this season was 16 points scored on Feb. 19 at Washington. He also made a career-high five threes against the Wizards and a career-high 5 rebounds. The following night, also against Washington, he played in a season high 37 minutes.
Playing on a two-way contract, Peter also played for the Pacers’ G-League affiliate the Noblesville Boom. He played in 20 games (16 starts) for the Boom, averaging 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Peter shot 41.5% from the field, 36.3% from three and 95.2% from the free throw line. He had two 30-point games and recorded 14 games in double figures, while draining four or more three-pointers in nine contests this season.
Here’s the full Pacers Summer League schedule and how to watch Peter:
- July 10 – vs Cavaliers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2
- July 11 – vs 76ers, 5:30 p.m., Prime Video
- July 13 – vs Raptors, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2
- July 15 – vs Timberwolves, 3:30 p.m., Prime Video
