University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Drew Pember Accepts Summer League Invite from Hornets
06.28.2024 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Drew Pember is returning to the court this summer, as the Knoxville, Tennessee, native has agreed to join the Charlotte Hornets summer league roster.
DP is headed to Buzz City! 🏙️ 🐝
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) June 28, 2024
Drew Pember has agreed to join the Charlotte Hornets' summer league team! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/2d75npVNc6
This is the second year in a row Asheville has had a player join Charlotte in summer league action, as Tajion Jones accepted the invitation in 2023. Before Jones, Asheville had not had a Bulldog earn a spot on an NBA summer league roster since Jaleel Roberts in 2015 and 2016.
Pember leaves Asheville as one of the most impactful players in program history. In his three years as a Bulldog, Pember was a two-time Big South Preseason Player of the Year, Big South Defensive Player of the Year, and Big South Player of the Year. He averaged 19.2 points per game and finished with 1,902 points, 236 blocks and 795 rebounds.
Pember is the eighth individual in Big South history to average 20 points or more in back-to-back seasons. In program records, he is No. 3 in blocks, No. 4 in points, and No. 5 in rebounds. Pember holds the record for most career free throws with 632 and most attempts with 748.
Pember helped lead Asheville to its second consecutive Big South Conference title game appearance. En route to the championship, Pember recorded his second triple-double of the season in Asheville's semifinal overtime victory against Gardner-Webb. Pember is the only individual in program history to have two triple-doubles and the third individual in Big South history to have a triple-double in the conference tournament. He is the first player in program history to be invited to play in the NABC Reese's All-Star Game. He was named to the 2023-24 NABC All-District First Team and was named to the Lou Henson All-America Team.
The Hornets will participate in the California Classic in Sacramento from July 6-9 and participate in the NBA2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas from July 12-22. Charlotte's full summer league schedule is listed below. All start times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
California Classic
Sat. July 6 at San Antonio Spurs 8:30 p.m. Golden 1 CenterSun. July 7 vs. Chinese National Team 8 p.m. Golden 1 Center
Mon. July 9 at Sacramento Kings 10 p.m. Golden 1 Center
NBA 2K25 Summer League
Sat. July 13 at New York Knicks 5 p.m. Thomas & Mack CenterTue. July 16 at Denver Nuggets 6 p.m. Cox Pavilion
Wed. July 17 vs. Boston Celtics 5:30 p.m. Cox Pavilion
Fri. July 19 vs. Portland Trail Blazers 11 p.m. Cox Pavilion
