Orlando Magic's D.J. Bakker Praises Izaiyah Nelson, Talks Keys to Success

ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are just days away from kicking off their NBA Summer League slate of games with a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas, and new assistant and Summer League Head Coach D.J. Bakker has been working diligently to get the team ready.

The 2026 Summer League roster for the Magic is made up of new and familiar faces, and one of the new faces highlighting the group is forward Izaiyah Nelson.

Nelson, 22, was the 51st pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Originally selected by the Washington Wizards, Nelson was subsequently traded to the Orlando Magic. After playing college basketball at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Nelson’s pro journey begins less than two hours away, and he has made a strong impression with Bakker.

"First of all, his competitiveness and his motor are off the charts," Bakker said during Monday's media scrum. "Always talking, always asking questions, great eye contact, great screener, loves physicality. So, when a player has that type of makeup and that type of DNA, you know, you feel comfortable going into battle with them.

"And then obviously like all rookies, we're learning terminology, we're learning style of play and what that looks like," Bakker added. "But really impressed with who he is as a human being and his DNA and makeup as a player."

In his lone season at USF, Nelson displayed plenty of two-way talent. In 34 games, all of which he started, Nelson averaged 15.9 points and 9.6 rebounds while also notching 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks. 

Nelson is one of many players who are trying to take what they have learned in preparation and practice leading up to the Summer League slate and apply it to a game-time setting. 

"Yeah, the team carrying over what we just did the last five days," Bakker said. "Who do we want to be? Do they represent our team? Are we consistent? Are we connected? And are we competitive? If those three things each and every night, okay, that's our team identity.That's what we believe leads to success. 

"And then offensively," Bakker added. "Are we spacing? Are we sharing the ball? Are we taking high quality shots? Defensively, are we winning the physicality battle? Are we communicating at a very high level? And are we taking pride on that side of the floor? I think executing offensively, executing defensively, and the makeup of our team if we establish that, great, great summer league for us."

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