A coaches’ program

While six former Wildcats are competing in NBA Summer League, three coaches also have UA ties. The 1997 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Miles Simon is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer league squad. Jud Buechler is the assistant coach of the Knicks, and former UA graduate assistant Joseph Blair is a part of the Rockets’ summer league staff.

Ayton wearing Nike?

Stop him if you can 💪 #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/S83BZCgDiE

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 8, 2018

Deandre Ayton signed a multi-year contract with Puma, a global brand looking to establish its presence in the NBA. Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr., and Zhaire Smith are the four Puma signees from this year’s draft class.

In Ayton’s Suns debut on Friday, he wore white Puma Clydes with their signature black stripe on the side. In a highly anticipated matchup of the Puma boys on Saturday, Bagley was the only one that sported the brand. Instead, Ayton returned to his Nike roots and wore all-black Kobes.

“I love Puma shoes, but I wear size 18 so we’re working on putting a lot of technology into the shoe. They want me to perform the best way I can,” Ayton said.

Vegas sports never sleep

Summer league isn’t the only event in Vegas. Just up the street at T-Mobile Arena, UFC 226 created a buzz on the Las Vegas strip with Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic as the headline fight on the main card. At Orleans Arena, the Las Vegas Aces played against the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA game. Big sports weekend for Sin City.

Booker secures the bag

Last week, Arizona Republic’s Scott Bordow reported that Phoenix was nearing a max extension for Suns guard Devin Booker worth $158 million over five years. During the Suns’ game against Sacramento on Saturday night, John Calipari, Booker’s coach at Kentucky, said on the ESPN broadcast during the Suns game that Booker already signed the extension.

Devin Booker makes his way into the arena to watch his future teammate Deandre Ayton. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/WbiO9WsCMf

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 8, 2018

About an hour later, Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania reported that Booker signed the deal. Booker’s extension makes him the highest paid player in franchise history, as he will earn $31.6 million per year until 2023. With Ayton and Booker together for at least the next four seasons, “Shaq and Kobe 2.0” could be in full effect.

Showing love for Trier

Many celebrities and notable NBA figures have been spotted at summer league. Donovan Mitchell, rookie of the year finalist from the Utah Jazz, and first-year Knicks coach David Fizdale sat courtside for New York’s game against the Hawks.

Another big-time name was four-time All-Star Rasheed Wallace. The former Pistons star stood along the Knicks baseline during warmups, wearing a red Kansas City Chiefs T-shirt. He even had a moment with ex-Wildcat Allonzo Trier. “I see you, Iso! Go get it,” Wallace said with a big grin on his face. Trier responded with a wave and a salute.

The big number

$49.7 million

The amount of money Shaq and Kobe, err, Ayton and Booker will earn with their NBA salaries next season. Per Forbes, Ayton will reel in $18.1 million in his first two seasons.

Jersey of the day

Spotted at Thomas and Mack Center. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/xq0EmYnbV8

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 8, 2018

NBA fans in Vegas this weekend have showed off their pride by wearing a wide range of jerseys from different eras. One fan wore a Calvin Cambridge Los Angeles Knights jersey from the movie “Like Mike.”

Donovan Mitchell sat courtside during Trier’s debut and sported a cream-colored Karl Malone jersey, even receiving a shoutout from the NBA Hall of Famer on Twitter. Even among the thousdands of Lakers and Warriors jerseys, one man took it old school from the collegiate level and wore a navy blue Arizona Wildcats Mike Bibby jersey.

He said it

Josh Jackson on @DeandreAyton: “He’s finally starting to realize that nobody can guard him.” #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/kAphi6Pr8r

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 8, 2018

“He’s finally starting to realize that nobody can guard him.” — Suns forward Josh Jackson on Ayton’s Day 2 performance.