Former NC State Forward Ben Middlebrooks Joins Rockets for NBA Summer League

Former NC State forward Ben Middlebrooks will continue his professional basketball journey tonight when he suits up for the Houston Rockets in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The Rockets first Summer League game is tomorrow night against the Nuggets at 6:30pm on ESPN2.

Middlebrooks won’t be the only former Wolfpack player wearing a Rockets uniform.

He’ll be joined by former NC State point guard Quadir Copeland, who recently signed a two-way contract with Houston after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Strong Rookie Season Overseas

Middlebrooks spent his first professional season playing for Norrköping in the Swedish Basketball League, where he quickly established himself as one of the team’s top contributors.

2025-26 Statistics

13.7 points per game
6.9 rebounds per game
48.9% shooting from the field
37.6% shooting from three-point range

Now he’ll have the opportunity to showcase those skills against NBA competition.

Teaming up with Quadir Copeland

Summer League will join together two former Wolfpack teammates.

Copeland recently signed a two-way contract with Houston after a historic lone season at NC State.

Now, both former Pack players will have the opportunity to compete together, this time wearing red Rockets uniforms.

Two Seasons in Raleigh

Middlebrooks transferred to NC State after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Clemson.

During his two years with the Wolfpack, he averaged:

6.5 points per game
4.3 rebounds per game

Most notably, he played an important part in NC State’s unforgettable 2024 postseason run that included:

ACC Tournament Championship
NCAA Final Four appearance

His energy and defensive presence helped the Wolfpack make one of the most improbable tournament runs in recent college basketball history.