Isaiah Stevens pushing for contract with NBA summer league surge

The consensus around the Colorado State men’s basketball team has been something along the lines of “don’t bet against Zay.”

Coaches have long said that Isaiah Stevens is one of the most focused, determined players they’ve ever coached. Tell him he’s not good enough at something and, well, he’ll change that quickly.

So, while Stevens’ NBA draft stock was lukewarm due to his size (6 feet), the feeling amongst Rams was always that if he found the right fit, his superb basketball IQ and focus on being a pro would let him shine.

It is only summer league, but Stevens is off to a strong start in his bid to find an NBA spot.

Here’s a look at how the former CSU star point guard is faring with the Miami Heat:

Isaiah Stevens cooking in Las Vegas

Stevens wasn’t selected in the 2024 NBA draft but signed as a free agent with Miami. It gave him a chance to showcase in summer ball and try to play his way into a contract.

The Heat participated in the California Class and are now through two of four games in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Here is the Stevens stat line through those two games:

• 9 points per game, 56% shooting from the floor and 100% (4-4) from 3-point range.
• 9 assists per game, including 11 in a win over the Celtics.
• One turnover per game.
• Plus-25 combined, including plus-22 in a win over the Thunder.

‘He’s different’:Here's what drives former Colorado State basketball star Isaiah Stevens

Stevens averaged 8.5 points and four assists in two games in the California Classic prior to Las Vegas. He shot 7-9 from the field (and 4-5 from 3-point range) there.

ESPN’s Seth Greenberg said Stevens has a “Ph.D. in running the team” during a Heat broadcast.

The Heat signed Stevens to an Exhibit 10 camp tryout contract, which can be converted into a two-way contract. The way Stevens is playing, that’s looking more and more likely.

“He does such a great job of getting our offense organized,” Heat assistant Dan Bisaccio said, according to an article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Bisaccio is running the summer team. “I have complete trust in him with that.”

The Heat play Dallas at 1 p.m. (Mountain) on July 17 (on ESPN2) and against Toronto at 7 p.m. July 19 (on ESPN+) to finish summer league play.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.