Mountain West Stars in the NBA: Midway Season Review
As the Mountain West men’s basketball season progresses, it offers a great opportunity to reflect on the journeys of former conference stars now competing in the NBA. Here’s an overview of how these players are faring in the professional league as we reach the midway point of the 2026-27 season.
Player Highlights
Isaiah Stevens (Colorado State, Sacramento Kings)
Stevens has transitioned from a successful summer that earned him a two-way contract with the Miami Heat last season to finding a spot with the Sacramento Kings. While much of his time has been spent with Stockton, the Kings’ G-League affiliate, he has managed to put up impressive stats—averaging 14.1 points and 8.3 assists across 27 games. To date, he has participated in six NBA games, accumulating a total of 10 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, and six steals in just under 50 minutes on the court.
Orlando Robinson (Fresno State, UFA)
Previously under a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, Robinson has recently been released and is now a free agent. During his last three seasons, he has played for four different teams—Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic. In 84 games (including 16 starts), he averaged 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, showcasing potential during limited playing time.
Cody Martin (Nevada, Indiana Pacers)
Injury struggles have marred Martin’s career, as he has played in only about 37% of games over the past four years. However, he signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Indiana Pacers in November. Since then, he has played 10 games with the Pacers’ G-League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, where his averages have been 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals while achieving a 54.9% true shooting rate.
Caleb Martin (Nevada, Dallas Mavericks)
Caleb Martin made a move to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 as part of a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Quentin Grimes. The 30-year-old has played 46 games this season, with 10 of them as a starter, recording averages of 3.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting at 44.5%, including 36.8% from beyond the arc.
Kobe Sanders (UNLV, Los Angeles Clippers)
Drafted 50th overall last summer, Sanders has emerged as one of the bright spots for the Clippers this season. Recently, the team converted his contract to a standard deal, with Sanders currently averaging 6.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, backed by shooting splits of 43.6% from the field and 37.0% from three.
Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State, Los Angeles Clippers)
Kawhi Leonard has solidified his status as one of the NBA’s elite players, leading the league in steals while averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His recent performance at the All-Star weekend included an impressive 37 points over three games, shooting 54.2% on the field. Despite past injuries, he continues to be regarded as one of the league’s top two-way players.
Derrick Jones Jr. (UNLV, Los Angeles Clippers)
Another standout for the Clippers, Jones Jr. has established himself as a valuable 3-point shooter and defender. So far, in 99 games with the franchise, he has averaged 10.1 points and 3.2 rebounds while maintaining a shooting percentage of 36.7% from long range.
Sam Merrill (Utah State, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Merrill has made his mark as a formidable 3-point shooter, hitting 40.8% of his attempts over the past three seasons. This year, he boasts an impressive 47.2% shooting from beyond the arc and has been crucial for the Cavaliers despite battling injuries and inconsistency in playing time.
Neemias Queta (Utah State, Boston Celtics)
Queta has taken on greater responsibility amidst changes in the Celtics’ roster. He has excelled in this expanded role, averaging 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks with a true shooting percentage of 65.5% across 51 games (50 starts). He has positioned himself as a capable starting center, demonstrating potential for growth in his defensive capabilities.
Larry Nance Jr. (Wyoming, Cleveland Cavaliers)
At 33 years old, Nance has found limited playing time in his second stint with the Cavaliers. He averages 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game, primarily functioning as a role player on the bench. His 11-year career has been filled with challenges, particularly regarding injuries.
