Villanova in the Pros: Eric Dixon a Summer League Healthy Scratch

Villanova Men’s Basketball all-time scoring leader Eric Dixon signed a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after going unselected in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he didn’t make an appearance in either of the team’s first two Summer League contests.

The Summer League serves as a sort of developmental preseason, giving rookies and other players less likely to make the NBA roster a chance at showing off their skills. Dixon’s two-way deal means Los Angeles can either slot him onto their NBA roster or allow him to develop with their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

The Lakers played games on July 5 and July 6 to open their Summer League schedule. Both times, the team listed Dixon with a “Did Not Play-Coaches Decision” designation. Dixon wasn’t the only player held off the court, as Lithuanian point guard and St. Mary’s College graduate Augustas Marciulionis also received the DNP designation for both games. The team didn’t make any announcement regarding Dixon’s participation, and whether that bodes well or poorly for Dixon’s chances of making the Lakers’ roster remains unclear.

They’ll next take the court (with or without Dixon) against the San Antonio Spurs at 10 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 8 as the finale of the California Classic, a preamble to the main Summer League schedule. Dixon’s status for that game could help clear up the team’s plan for him.

For a related story, here’s a look at who Eric Dixon will need to outcompete in order to secure a spot on the Lakers’ roster.

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