The 2026 NBA Summer League kicks off Thursday in Las Vegas, and the New York Knicks have already revealed the core of their roster. Guard Oziyah Sellers, a 6-foot-5 product of St. John’s University, will suit up alongside second-round pick Tyler Nickel, the 47th overall selection in June’s draft.

Nickel, the Knicks’ sole second-round investment, arrives with the expectation that his performance in Las Vegas will determine whether he earns a two-way contract or a spot on the regular-season roster. As a forward with a modest college résumé, his defensive versatility and rebounding will be under the microscope during the week-long showcase.

Sellers’ addition is a direct response to the city’s appetite for home-grown talent. He signed with New York on June 26, joining a group of up-and-comers eager to prove they belong in the franchise’s long-term plans. The 6-foot-5 guard is known for his ability to space the floor, a skill set that aligns with the Knicks’ emphasis on wing shooting.

The move comes after a draft weekend that left the Knicks without any St. John’s selections, a disappointment for fans who hoped to see local prospects on the board. While Red Storm standouts Zuby Ejiofor was taken 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks and Dillon Mitchell slipped to the Boston Celtics at 40th, neither landed in New York.

From a tactical perspective, Sellers provides a low-risk, high-upside piece for the Knicks. His shooting pedigree offers a right-handed option on the wing, allowing the team to maintain spacing while evaluating other first-year players. In Las Vegas, his catch-and-shoot ability will be tested against comparable rookies, and any ability to generate off-ball movement could earn him a two-way deal.

If Sellers and Nickel can translate their college strengths into the faster, more physical Summer League environment, the Knicks could have two additional candidates for the upcoming training camp in September. Their performance this week will dictate whether they move up to a full roster spot, stay on a two-way contract, or head to the G League to continue their development.