Just three months after playing his final game in a University of the Pacific jersey, former men’s basketball forward Elias Ralph ’26 has a new uniform to wear. Ralph has signed with the Sacramento Kings for the NBA Summer League, where he’ll have the opportunity to earn a spot at the professional level.

Ralph, who majored in health and exercise science, will join the Kings in Las Vegas July 9-19 after signing as an undrafted free agent following the NBA draft. Summer League gives teams an opportunity to evaluate draft picks and undrafted prospects as they compete for roster spots with the NBA club or its NBA G League affiliate.

“It's great to have all the days and nights in the gym getting shots up, doing drills get recognized and validated by this chance to play at the highest level,” Ralph said. “Coach Smart and his staff played a huge role in putting me in this spot, and I'm grateful every day for their belief in me to bring me to Pacific and help me achieve my dream.”

Over the past two seasons at Pacific, Ralph helped usher in a new era for the program, averaging 16.7 points per game this past season and scoring 1,041 points across both campaigns. The forward’s 2025-26 season was one of Pacific’s most impactful in recent memory, garnering the program’s first First-Team All-WCC selection since the 2019-20 season and the second overall since Pacific joined the conference.

“Elias exemplifies the culture we're striving to build here at Pacific, and his dedication day in and out to perfecting his craft is reflected in the Kings giving him a shot to play against other NBA caliber players,” said Head Coach Dave Smart. “He is proof that if you come to Pacific, put the work in, strive to get better every day and perform on the court, NBA scouts will take notice, and we can get you to the next level.”

Ralph is the first Tiger under Smart to reach the NBA Summer League and the second Tiger overall since Gary Chivichyan ’20 played for the Milwaukee Bucks summer league team in 2025.

Smart and the Tigers will look to build on last season’s run to the West Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals when they take the court this fall for the 2026-27 season. The team will welcome 11 newcomers alongside returning sophomore Jaion Pitt ’29.