Three undrafted Long Islanders earn NBA Summer League opportunities

Bryce Harris and Jordan Riley have been chasing the same NBA dream since they were kids growing up in Brentwood.

This month, they’ll get to live it.

After going undrafted last week, Harris signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA Summer League team after a standout career at Howard University, while Riley (pictured, top, No. 12) earned a Summer League opportunity with the New Orleans Pelicans following a breakout senior season at East Carolina. They’ll be joined in Las Vegas by former Long Island Lutheran standout Jalen Celestine also went undrafted — but then signed with the Toronto Raptors.

For Long Island basketball, it’s another reason to celebrate.

For Brentwood, it’s a source of pride.

Longtime Brentwood High School basketball coach Anthony Jimenez said he wasn’t surprised to see either of them get a shot at the next level.

He’s watched both players grow since they were young, and even then, he said, it was obvious they were wired differently.

“Both of them had a vision to be the best since they were little kids, and you could see it early on,” Jimenez told Greater Long Island. “Their names are on the wall in the Brentwood gym for a reason.”

Although they shared the same goal, Jimenez described them as having different personalities.

Jordan was quiet. Stoic.

Bryce was, “a gentleman.”

What they had in common was how they carried themselves.

“They allowed their actions, their work on the court, to be their conversation piece,” Jimenez said. “They never had to be trash talkers on the court, and they never let greatness get to their head.”

That mentality has stayed with them.

Jimenez believes Riley’s athleticism will immediately stand out in Summer League.

“He’s got freak athleticism,” Jimenez said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps in a passing lane, gets a steal, comes up with a big block and throws down a jam.”

More than the physical tools, though, Jimenez points to Riley’s mindset.

“He always rises to the occasion,” he said. “He’s got an incredible inner voice that brings out the best in him. He’s so driven.”

Harris, meanwhile, built his reputation doing whatever his team needed.

“He had an emotional maturity that always allowed him to achieve what he wanted,” Jimenez said. “He’s so physically tough.”

Jimenez expects those qualities to translate just as well against NBA competition.

“He’s going to make all the hustle plays,” he said. “He has great anticipation, he’ll attack the rim and he’ll do whatever it takes to help his team win. He’s got a little bit of Josh Hart in him.”

As proud as he is of what they’ve accomplished on the court, Jimenez said one moment after the signings meant even more.

“Both families texted me the night they signed, and that means so much to me,” he said. “Their lives are important to me. It wasn’t always about wins and losses when they played here. It was about helping them mature into respectful young men and make their community proud.”

“They have roots,” he added.  “And they both know where they came from.”

As for Celestine, his college career included stops at California and Baylor before finishing at Cincinnati.

The Summer League tips off July 9.

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Top: East Carolina guard Jordan Riley (12) and guard Patrick D’Arcy (10) jostle for rebound position against North Carolina guard Seth Trimble, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)