Iowa's Josh Dix, Payton Sandfort Shine as Thunder Seek First Summer League Win
The Oklahoma City Thunder close out NBA Summer League action Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, and two players with deep Iowa ties are making the most of their final opportunity to impress.
Iowa native Josh Dix and former Iowa Hawkeye Payton Sandfort have emerged as bright spots for a winless Thunder squad that has dropped seven straight games across Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. While none of Oklahoma City's three 2026 draft picks will suit up for the finale, the game offers a final showcase for players fighting for roster spots.
Josh Dix Finding His Stride in Vegas
Council Bluffs native and undrafted rookie guard Josh Dix has turned heads after a slow start in Salt Lake City. The Iowa and Creighton product is averaging 8.4 points per game on 44.4% shooting overall and a sharp 39.4% from three-point range.
Dix has scored in double figures in back-to-back games against the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. He looks to make it three straight against Brooklyn on Sunday.
Signed to a two-way contract with the Thunder, Dix is proving he belongs at the professional level. His shooting touch and basketball IQ have been on full display in Las Vegas.
Payton Sandfort Building Momentum
Former Iowa Hawkeye standout Payton Sandfort continues to show why he earned a spot on Oklahoma City's NBA roster last season. The sharpshooting guard is averaging 13 points and 3.8 rebounds per game across four appearances in Vegas.
Sandfort is shooting 43.8% from the floor and 38.1% from beyond the arc. He and fellow sharp-shooter Buddy Boeheim have given the Thunder consistent outside scoring in summer play.
Both Sandfort and Boeheim are looking to secure spots on NBA training camp rosters as the offseason winds down.
Thunder Still Searching for First Summer Win
Oklahoma City enters Sunday's finale still winless in summer league play. The Thunder came close in back-to-back games against the Nuggets and Mavericks, losing by 10 to Dallas and just three to Denver.
The Brooklyn Nets present a tough challenge with a 4-3 record across the California Classic and Las Vegas leagues. Brooklyn's roster features mostly young players who saw NBA action last season.
Despite being underdogs, the Thunder have shown fight and could finally break through for their first victory.
Brooks Barnhizer Looking to Improve Shooting
Another two-way contract player, Brooks Barnhizer, has been a workhorse for Oklahoma City. The Northwestern product is averaging 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game through seven contests.
However, his shooting numbers need work. Barnhizer is hitting just 41.1% from the field and 25% from three-point range. In Vegas, that number drops to 16.7% from deep.
Barnhizer has consistently shown an ability to work hard for points and play solid defense. But he must improve as a shooter to stick at the NBA level.
What This Means for Iowa Basketball Fans
For Iowa sports fans, Sunday's game offers a final chance to watch two local products compete on the summer league stage. Dix and Sandfort represent the state's growing pipeline of talent into professional basketball.
Dix, who played at Creighton after a standout high school career at Abraham Lincoln in Council Bluffs, is fighting for a long-term NBA future. Sandfort, who starred at Iowa from 2021 to 2025, is looking to build on his rookie season with the Thunder.
Both players embody the hard-working, team-first values that Iowa fans appreciate.
Game Details
The Thunder face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. Central Time. The game will be broadcast on NBA TV.
For Iowa fans, it is one more chance to see future NBA talent with home state roots.