Anchorage’s Daishen Nix, 22, is entering his fifth pro season. Photo courtesy of Iowa Wolves.
Anchorage’s Daishen Nix and Kok Yat are teaming up in the NBA Summer League, and you know what that means.
We could see a Rage City alley-oop connection in Sin City.
Nix, a 6-foot-3 point guard, and Yat, a 6-foot-8 forward, played together at times last season with the Iowa Wolves in the G League and share a connection as the only Alaskans to turn pro straight out of high school.
Both players are making their second appearance in the Summer League but this time as Minnesota Timberwolves’ teammates, the first time that’s happened for the state since 2002, when Juneau’s Carlos Boozer and Anchorage’s Andre Laws laced ’em up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Nix, a former McDonald’s All-American, is entering his fifth pro season and ranks behind two-time NBA champion Mario Chalmers of Anchorage on a short list of the greatest PGs from the 907 state.
Nix played in the Summer League in 2022 with the Philadelphia 76ers, but now he’s back with the Timberwolves along with Yat. The last time they shared the court in the G League season finale on March 30, Nix scored 27 points and added six assists while Yat scored nine points on 4-of-9 shooting.
The Summer League remix in Las Vegas could make for some must-see TV for Alaska basketball fans.
WHEN TO WATCH
July 12 vs New Orleans ESPN2
July 14 vs Indiana NBATV
July 16 vs Philadelphia ESPN2
July 18 vs Houston ESPN
Nix has appeared in 96 NBA games since 2021, first with Houston and then Minnesota. His biggest impact has come in the G League, where he has averaged 17.1 points across 60 games and posted state-best single-game totals of 35 points and 13 assists.
He won a G League championship in 2022 with Rio Grande and recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in the clinching victory. The undrafted guard has already done a lot and he’s only 22 years old.
Yat is another young gun. Just 20, he’s heading into his fourth pro season after spending the first two years with OTE and then last season with the Iowa Wolves of the G League.
Only 20, Kok Yat of Anchorage is already entering his fourth pro season. Photo courtesy of Iowa Wolves.
Yat is a highlight waiting to happen around the rim. Armed with an explosive 40-inch vert, he looks to dunk everything within reach. He also likes to shoot the 3.
He played in 34 games last season in the G League and averaged 4.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 3-pointer per game. He hit for double figures three times, including a season-high 13.
NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
2024 – Daishen Nix (Timberwolves)
2024 – Kok Yat (Timberwolves)
2023 – Kamaka Hepa (Pelicans)
2023 – Kok Yat (Timberwolves)
2022 – JT Thor (Hornets)
2022 – Daishen Nix (76ers)
2022 – Justinian Jessup (Warriors)
2022 – Isiah Brown (Clippers)
2014 – Damen Bell-Holter (Celtics)
2008 – Mario Chalmers (Heat)
2006 – Doron Perkins (Lakers)
2005 – Kyle Bailey (Spurs)
2002 – Andre Laws (Cavs)
2002 – Carlos Boozer (Cavs)
1999 – Trajan Langdon (Cavs)
1994 – Brooks Thompson (Magic)
1980 – Tony Turner (Pistons)
