Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Jul 11, 2026 4:13 PM
After a flawless scoring night in Las Vegas, the versatile forward is proving his offensive game has finally caught up to his elite defensive potential and athleticism.
The list of former Texas men's basketball players thriving in the 2026 NBA Summer League continues to grow.
Here at LonghornsRoundtable.com, we've already discussed Tre Johnson and how his dominant Las Vegas debut could signal an incoming breakout for the man who broke multiple records held by Kevin Durant during his lone season in Austin.
But Johnson isn't the only product of Texas' program to shine.
One of Johnson's former teammates is making a name for himself in the Los Angeles Lakers' system as well.
Arthur Kaluma wasn't selected in last summer's NBA Draft and spent the entire ensuing campaign with LA's G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Kaluma has never lacked for size, athleticism or defensive versatility. The question was always whether the offensive side of his game would develop enough to keep him on an NBA floor.
Early returns in Las Vegas suggest that answer may be yes.
Kaluma has scored in double figures in every game he's appeared in for the Lakers this summer — but that wasn't the most impressive part of his performance in Friday's 96-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was how Kaluma scored his 18 points that was so special.
In just 16 minutes of action, the 24-year-old went a perfect 5-for-5 from both the field and the free-throw line while adding four rebounds.
Coming out of Texas, the offensive side of Kaluma's game was viewed as one of his biggest question marks.
Scouts questioned whether he possessed enough skill as a shooter and shot creator to stick at the NBA level, pointing to his inconsistent three-point volume and lack of playmaking as concerns throughout the pre-draft process.
While perimeter shooting remains an issue, you can't shoot 100% from the field and drop 18 points without some level of scoring talent.
The Lakers don't need him to become a primary scorer or offensive engine. They've already got Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to spearhead the scoring attack.
Instead, LA needs him to defend multiple positions and capitalize on the opportunities created by others.
Through three Summer League appearances, the former Longhorn is looking increasingly capable of doing exactly that.
... and if that trend continues, Kaluma's stay in South Bay may soon become a thing of the past.
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