Undrafted Forward Pete Nance Emerges as Breakout Summer League Performer, Poised to Earn Roster Spot with 2025 Milwaukee Bucks Team

When the Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2025 NBA Summer League, expectations centered around evaluating young draft picks, assessing fringe roster players, and uncovering hidden gems who might strengthen the team’s depth. Few predicted that Pete Nance, an undrafted forward with a modest college résumé and brief professional experience, would emerge as one of the most promising storylines for Milwaukee’s summer campaign. Yet through a combination of defensive impact, shooting consistency, and offensive versatility, Nance has not only proven he belongs on the court—he has sparked serious conversations about whether he should be on the Bucks’ regular-season roster come October.

Standing at 6-foot-11, Pete Nance brings a unique physical profile to the table. With his size, mobility, and instinctual feel for the game, he has proven capable of defending multiple positions, protecting the rim, and operating fluidly within both ends of the court. In the 2025 Summer League, Nance averaged 2.2 blocks per game, consistently disrupting shots around the basket while showing the timing and length to affect shooters without fouling. His ability to rotate quickly, contest shots, and switch out onto guards when needed has given the Bucks’ coaching staff a glimpse into a modern defensive piece—one who can hold up in a variety of schemes. Milwaukee’s coaching staff was particularly impressed by Nance’s poise and discipline in pick-and-roll coverages. He rarely bites on fakes and consistently maintains verticality, skills often lacking in young bigs transitioning into the NBA. He also communicates well defensively, directing teammates into proper positions, a trait that rarely gets attention in box scores but is often critical to team cohesion. His defensive IQ may not yet be at a veteran level, but it’s clearly above average for a rookie entering the league without the cache of a first-round pick.

Offensively, Nance offers a complementary game that could fit seamlessly alongside Milwaukee’s core. He shot 40.9% from three-point range during Summer League, spacing the floor effectively and knocking down open looks with confidence. His shooting stroke, honed through years of developmental work, appears compact and reliable. He thrives in pick-and-pop scenarios, stretching defenses and drawing big men out of the paint—an important trait for any forward looking to play alongside a paint-dominant superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo. But it’s not just the shooting. Nance’s feel for the game as a high-post passer has turned heads. He makes smart, quick decisions with the ball, often finding cutters with bounce passes or initiating dribble-handoff sequences that preserve offensive flow. Rarely does he hold the ball or kill momentum; instead, he facilitates movement, spacing, and rhythm. It’s this decision-making that separates him from other fringe NBA hopefuls. He doesn’t need plays called for him to be impactful. Rather, he thrives within structure, making the right reads and keeping the ball moving.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of Nance’s profile is his ability to fit within Milwaukee’s larger team context. With Giannis at the center of the franchise’s identity, the Bucks need players who can coexist with the two-time MVP without demanding the ball or clogging the lane. Nance’s skill set appears tailor-made for this role. His shooting draws defenders out, opening driving lanes for Giannis. His passing allows him to serve as a connector at the elbows, facilitating offense when Giannis is doubled. And defensively, Nance’s switchability provides cover for Giannis to freelance or play more aggressively off the ball. The Bucks’ frontcourt is already loaded on paper, with Giannis, Myles Turner—acquired in a surprise offseason trade—and veteran Bobby Portis all expected to log heavy minutes. But injuries, fatigue, and the wear-and-tear of an 82-game season demand rotational depth. Pete Nance offers a low-cost, low-risk option with legitimate upside. And he doesn’t have to be a star to make a difference. He just has to play within his role, defend, space the floor, and make smart decisions—three things he already excels at. The modern NBA places high value on role players who understand their job and execute with consistency. Nance’s Summer League performances suggest he could be exactly that kind of player for the Bucks.

It’s also worth noting that Nance is on a two-way contract, meaning he can shuttle between the NBA and the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. While this might limit his initial exposure to NBA minutes, it’s an ideal setup for his development. With the Herd, Nance can continue to build confidence, refine his game against professional competition, and stay ready in case of injuries or rotation shake-ups at the NBA level. More importantly, his two-way status doesn’t preclude him from earning a full-time role if he continues to progress. Milwaukee has a history of converting two-way players into meaningful contributors, and Nance could be next in line.

There’s also something to be said for Nance’s pedigree and mentality. As the son of former NBA All-Star Larry Nance and brother of current veteran Larry Nance Jr., Pete has grown up around the league, absorbing its culture and expectations from a young age. That background seems to inform his professionalism and maturity. He doesn’t try to do too much. He plays with patience and purpose. He understands the nuances of the game and values intangibles that don’t always make the highlight reel. During interviews and media availability, Nance has expressed gratitude for the opportunity but remains laser-focused on his development. He’s not caught up in the hype. He knows that making an NBA roster as an undrafted player requires more than just one hot summer—it demands consistent improvement, adaptability, and a willingness to play whatever role is asked of him.

The Bucks’ front office, meanwhile, is in a period of retooling after a turbulent offseason that saw the departure of key veterans and questions surrounding long-term team direction. With limited cap space and few high draft picks to rely on, internal development and value contracts will be critical to their competitiveness. A player like Nance, who costs little but provides real utility, is exactly the kind of asset Milwaukee needs. Even if he doesn’t crack the opening-night rotation, he’s almost certain to get a look during the season. Whether due to injuries, load management, or strategic matchups, players like Nance often find themselves thrust into meaningful minutes. If his Summer League performance is any indication, he’ll be ready when that moment comes.

In terms of comparable players, Nance shares stylistic elements with stretch bigs like Maxi Kleber or Trey Lyles—players who defend, shoot, and move the ball without dominating touches. These are the types of players who tend to stick in the league not because they make highlight plays, but because they make the right ones. If Nance continues to shoot the ball well and brings consistent energy on defense, it’s easy to imagine him carving out a long-term NBA career, even if it starts slowly. Milwaukee’s coaching staff has also praised his coachability and work ethic—two traits that could fast-track his development, especially within a franchise that values system-fit over flash.

Of course, Summer League success doesn’t always translate to regular-season production. The level of competition, pace, and physicality all ramp up dramatically once the real games begin. But what Pete Nance has shown is not just momentary flashes of skill—it’s a foundation built on versatility, discipline, and adaptability. These are the pillars of sustainable NBA success, especially for role players. While it remains to be seen whether Nance will secure a permanent roster spot or split time between Milwaukee and the G League, his trajectory is promising. He’s already earned the respect of teammates and coaches. Now, he just has to keep proving it—one possession, one game, one opportunity at a time.

For a Bucks team navigating the challenges of roster reconstruction and championship aspirations, Pete Nance may be exactly the kind of unexpected piece that makes a difference. His emergence in the Summer League is no fluke—it’s the result of years of development, smart play, and a refusal to be overlooked. As the 2025–26 NBA season approaches, don’t be surprised if Pete Nance moves from summer standout to regular-season contributor. Sometimes, the best stories in the NBA come from the players no one expected. Pete Nance is writing one of those stories right now.