Jon Elmore, a 30-year-old guard for the Los Angeles Lakers Summer League team, has become an internet sensation—not for his play at first, but simply for his presence. Fans noticed his age and balding appearance in a league typically dominated by young prospects. Yet Elmore is far from the oldest player on a Summer League roster.
Aaron Pervis Williams, 34, suits up for the Milwaukee Bucks Summer League team. There are 41 players in this year’s Summer League born before the year 2000. Former top-10 pick Cam Reddish, 26, is also participating with the Orlando Magic, hoping for another NBA opportunity.
Elmore didn’t play in the Lakers’ first Summer League game in Las Vegas, sparking fan curiosity. But on Saturday, he got 19 minutes of action and delivered: 6 points (2-for-3 from three), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He turned the ball over just once and posted a plus-16 rating.
Elmore’s journey is unconventional. He initially attended VMI, where his father played, but left to care for his ailing grandfather. He later joined an intramural team at Marshall University, caught the attention of coaches, and walked onto the varsity squad. He led Marshall to its first NCAA Tournament win, scoring 27 points in an upset of Wichita State. Elmore set Conference USA records in scoring and assists, becoming the first Division I player with 2,500 points and 750 assists.
After going undrafted in 2019, Elmore played in the G League, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Turkey, and The Basketball Tournament. He won a G League championship in 2025. Now, at 30, he’s hoping his Summer League performance catches the eye of any NBA team.
Other seasoned players in Summer League include 28-year-old Terrell Brown, who walked on at Seattle University and has played in Mexico and the G League. Nathan Mensah, 28, a defensive big from San Diego State, has played in Turkey, Romania, and Greece. DeJon Jarreau, 28, has seen NBA minutes with the Pacers and Grizzlies. Alex Morales, 28, played four games for the Magic last season. Kylor Kelley, 28, has played for 15 teams across the G League and overseas, with brief NBA stints. Tyrese Key, 27, went undrafted and played in Belgium and the Raptors‘ G League system. Cormac Ryan, 27, appeared in 11 games for the Bucks last season. Malik Williams, 27, a former top recruit, has played in Poland, Puerto Rico, China, and the G League, with seven NBA games for the Raptors.
