Former Arkansas forward Adou Thiero, the 36th pick in the NBA draft, will not play in summer league with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Brad Turner of the LA Times.
Thiero was diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension while playing with the Razorbacks on Feb. 22 against Missouri. He is in the final stages of his return-to-play process and has been ruled out of participating with the team when it begins the California Classic on Saturday.
He is expected to be cleared for training camp.
Following their three-game stint, the Lakers will play at least five games in the NBA Summer League, beginning July 10 against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas, Nevada (8 p.m. EDT, ESPN).
Lakers say Adou Thiero (left knee) is in the final stages of his return to play process. As a result, he won’t participate in summer league games. Adou is expected to be fully cleared for training camp.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 2, 2025
Thiero averaged a career-high 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals on 54.5% shooting from the field in 27 games as a junior last season. He was tied for the most points on the team (407), despite missing eight games due to his injury.
The 21-year-old registered eight 20-point performances with the Razorbacks, including a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds on Dec. 7 in a win over UTSA. He ranked second in the SEC in field-goal percentage and eighth in box plus-minus (plus-10.6).
Thiero impressed the Lakers as a draft prospect because of his athleticism, physicality and ability to score in the paint. He also boasts a 7-foot wingspan that enables him to get deflections and block shots on the defensive end of the court.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Lakers news: 36th pick Adou Thiero to miss summer league games