Category: 2023 NBA Draft

Drew Timme doesn’t plan to return to Gonzaga for a fifth season

Timme needs 39 points to become the all-time leading scorer in Gonzaga program history.

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme confirmed on Tuesday that he will not return to school for a fifth year and that the 2022-23 season will be his last with the Bulldogs.

Timme made the revelation to Seth Davis of The Athletic on Saturday after the Zags’ win over No. 15 Saint Mary’s. No. 10 Gonzaga (25-5, 14-2) clinched a share of the West Coast Conference regular-season title with the win as it reached the 25-win mark for the 16th straight year.

The 22-year-old could have elected to play a fifth season because of the extra year of eligibility players received due to the coronavirus pandemic. He will instead leave school.

“I’ve done my four years,” Timme said. “I’m a senior and I’m moving on.”

He is averaging a career-high 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists on 61.6% shooting from the field in 30 games this season. He leads the conference in total scoring and is sixth among all players in the country with 637 points.

Timme became the third player in program history this season to reach 2,000 career points. He recently moved into second on the all-time scoring list and needs only 39 points to surpass Frank Burgess and become the top scorer in program history.

He is viewed as a potential second-round pick in the NBA draft this year. He tested the pre-draft process last year and opted to return for his senior season.

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Ignite: Scoot Henderson flirted with a triple-double in narrow loss

Henderson flirted with a triple-double and produced a rare stat line on Thursday with the Ignite.

Scoot Henderson flirted with a triple-double and produced a rare stat line on Thursday to lead the G League Ignite in a loss on the road to the Memphis Hustle.

Henderson produced 20 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal in the 116-114 loss. He went 9-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, in 36 minutes of action as the Ignite fell to 7-12 in the regular season.

The 19-year-old became only the fourth player in the G League this season to reach at least 20 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds in a game. It was only his second game dishing at least 10 assists; he previously had 16 on Nov. 12.

The game followed a strong showing by Henderson at All-Star Weekend.

Henderson scored four points, two assists and two steals in the Rising Stars game on Friday. He then had 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in the G League Next Up game on Sunday as one of 24 players selected to compete in the event.

Henderson is considered a lock as the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft this year. He has dazzled throughout the year in the G League and has all of the tools — on and off the court — to be a potential franchise-changing player at the next level.

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Magic Johnson on projected top pick Victor Wembanyama: ‘The hype is real’

Johnson believes the projected top pick has the opportunity to transform the franchise that eventually drafts him this year.

Magic Johnson recently had the opportunity to meet Victor Wembanyama, and the Hall of Famer believes the projected top pick has the opportunity to transform the franchise that drafts him this year.

Johnson was among the legends in attendance last month at the contest between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in Paris, France. Wembanyama, who is playing in Paris with Metropolitans 92, also had the chance to take in the game on an off day.

During an interview with Bryan Kalbrosky of For the Win, Johnson recalled meeting Wembanyama and explained why the 19-year-old has the opportunity to be special in the NBA.

I don’t know if we’ve seen a big man who can do the things that he can. Normally, you have one or the other. Either your post-game is good or your outside jump shot is good. We’ve never seen a guy who can do both and can handle the basket and can also handle the basketball. He can block shots.

He can affect the game in so many different ways and whoever gets him: This guy is going to change his franchise forever. The hype is real. He will probably make an impact like LeBron did when he first came into the league. This young man is special. I can tell how great he was when I met his parents in France. Now I see why he is such a special young man on the court and off. His parents are very involved. They’re good people. His mom played basketball. He’s a league changer and a franchise changer.

Wembanyama has dazzled at every level to this point and was named an All-Star this season after averaging 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.2 assists. He helped France claim a berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup back in November.

The phenom stands at 7 feet, 5 inches in shoes, which is one inch taller than his team lists him. He boasts an 8-foot wingspan and is quickly emerging as a unique prospect in NBA history given his skills and size.

The arrival of Wembanyama has created quite a battle to draft him. As the league embarks on the final quarter of the season, there are four teams vying to claim one of the three worst records and a 14% chance of landing the top pick: Houston, San Antonio, Detroit and Charlotte.

Wembanyama has long been projected to have the tools needed to develop into a superstar. He will undoubtedly elevate the team that drafts him and is on the verge of making that a reality this year.

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Scoot Henderson ready to jump to the NBA after Rising Stars game

The Rising Stars game proved to be another prime opportunity for Henderson to compete against NBA players.

Scoot Henderson can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The talented guard with the G League Ignite is widely expected to be the second pick in this year’s NBA draft. With the entire league converging this weekend in Salt Lake City, he had the opportunity to showcase his ability in the Rising Stars game on Friday.

Henderson was among 28 up-and-coming players in the event, and one of seven from the G League. He scored four points, two assists and two steals during his lone appearance in the game, a loss in the semifinal round to Team Joakim.

Though his numbers hardly jump off the page, Henderson gave all of those watching inside Vivint Arena and on TV a glimpse of what he can bring to the next level.

“It was a great experience running with those guys and running with a few of my teammates and just to be out there in that atmosphere,” Henderson said afterward. “(It) didn’t turn out how I wanted it to, but it was just fun to be there.”

Playing with the Ignite, Henderson has the opportunity to go up against NBA-caliber players on a nightly basis in the G League. On Friday, he had the chance to match up against several current NBA players, such as Josh Giddey, Evan Mobley and Jalen Williams.

Of course, competing in an exhibition game at All-Star Weekend is hardly a true test of playing in the NBA, but the festivities proved a great experience for Henderson.

“Our coach is always talking about how we can get in those runs upstairs — that’s what he calls the league,” Henderson said. “Just chopping at it every day, playing against those guys that are in the league that have played about 50-60 games already. It’s just right there.”

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Henderson has proven to be the real deal this season with the Ignite.

The 19-year-old is projected to be drafted just behind French center Victor Wembanyama. He has been electric on the court this season and is highly touted for his ability to score from virtually everywhere, while also getting his teammates involved.

He has the size needed to transition to the league immediately. He has had several clutch moments with the Ignite and thrives as a leader on the team. Simply put: Henderson has all of the tools — on and off the court — to be a franchise-changing player.

With just over a month to go in the regular season, Henderson will soon start the transition to the NBA after two years with the Ignite. The team that ultimately lands him may have missed out on Wembanyama, but Henderson will be a tremendous consolation prize.

“I’m just ready,” Henderson said. “I feel right there.”

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Duke: Jon Scheyer provides positive injury update on Dariq Whitehead

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said the freshman avoided a season-ending leg injury on Monday.

Duke men’s head coach Jon Scheyer on Thursday said freshman Dariq Whitehead avoided a season-ending leg injury on Monday in a loss to Virginia Tech.

Whitehead sustained the injury early in the second half after jumping for a loose ball. He immediately grabbed his lower left leg and hit the court in visible discomfort. He limped off the court and later left for the locker room. He was later seen on crutches.

The MRI testing revealed no structural damage; Scheyer referred to the injury as a strain. The team does not have a timetable for his return, but the 6-foot-7 forward will not play on Saturday against Georgia Tech, according to Brendan Marks of The Athletic.

Whitehead is averaging 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 37.3% shooting from 3-point range in 16 games. He missed the first three games of the season due to a foot fracture, but appeared to be settling in; He has scored in double figures in six of his last eight games.

The 18-year-old is projected to be a first-round pick this season given his ability to score in a variety of ways. His slow start has created some questions regarding his ability at the next level, though, and it will be worth monitoring how he bounces back from this latest setback.

Overall, the injury news is certainly encouraging considering how severe it looked on replay. The team will be cautious with his return as Whitehead looks to get back to full strength.

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Victor Wembanyama expected to attend Bulls-Pistons in Paris

The projected No. 1 pick is expected to attend the second regular-season NBA game in Paris.

French center Victor Wembanyama is expected to attend Thursday’s game between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in Paris, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The contest will be the NBA’s second regular-season game in Paris and the first since Charlotte and Milwaukee played in 2020. The Bulls played two preseason games in Paris in 1997, while it will be the first game for the Pistons in the French capital.

Wembanyama is among those expected to attend the game, though the 7-foot-4 center could experience some difficulties getting to Accor Arena. The city is reportedly dealing with a transportation strike that could affect travel plans for Wembanyama.

Wembanyama, who was born in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, is the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. He has dazzled at every level to this point and performed to expectations in October in front of scouts and executives against the G League Ignite.

The game could give Wembanyama a potential look at his new team. The Pistons are 12-25 this season and are the third-worst team in the league at the moment. Of course, the three teams at the bottom of the standings each have the highest odds (14%) of winning the top pick.

Wembanyama was named an All-Star this season with Metropolitans 92 after averaging 22.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.2 assists. He recently threw down the game-winning dunk over ASVEL Basket, his former team in France.

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G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson day-to-day with concussion

Henderson suffered a nose fracture and was placed into the concussion protocol.

NBA G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson suffered a nose fracture and is considered day to day, team spokeswoman Mara Rudolph said.

Henderson suffered the injury in the first half on Nov. 18 versus the Salt Lake City Stars. He logged just nine minutes of work in the victory and did not return in the second half.

He recorded six points and four rebounds prior to the injury.

The 18-year-old was placed into the concussion protocol and has missed the last four games with the Ignite. He is progressing in his recovery and could be cleared to play when the Ignite host the South Bay Lakers on Sunday at The Dollar Loan Center (9 p.m. EST, ESPN 2).

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Henderson is projected to be the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft next year behind French center Victor Wembanyama. He has been electric on the court this season and is highly touted for his ability to score from virtually all over the court.

He is averaging 21.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 47.1% shooting from 3-point range in six games. He is 22nd in the G League in scoring and has produced four 25-point games. He even dished out a season-high 16 assists on Nov. 12 versus Santa Cruz.

The Ignite are set to play a full, 50-game schedule for the first time this season, giving scouts and executives plenty of opportunities to watch Henderson in action. It appears as though he will be back on the court sooner than later.

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Ignite guard Scoot Henderson: ‘If I keep working, I could be one of the best’

Henderson continued a strong start with the Ignite with his fourth 20-point game of the season in a win over the OKC Blue.

Projected No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson continued a strong start with the NBA G League Ignite on Wednesday with his fourth 20-point game of the season in a win over the OKC Blue.

Henderson produced a season-high 27 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in the 110-95 victory. He went 12-of-20 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes of work as the Ignite improved to 2-4 on the season.

The 18-year-old scored 16 points alone in the fourth quarter to help the Ignite overcome a 10-point deficit and outscore the Blue by 20 points in the period. He made all seven of his shot attempts in the final frame.

Henderson explained his mindset throughout the contest.

First half was just focusing on defense, trying to get stops. Shots weren’t falling so I was trying to do my best to try to get the shots falling for the team and try to get some assists, try to get some rebounds, do whatever I can. Whatever I can do to get us in the game.

He once again showed why he is so highly touted in the contest. He was electric at times getting into the paint and either finishing at the rim or kicking it out to an open teammate. He also went to work often in the mid-range and had his 3-ball falling.

Henderson has scored at least 25 points four times this season and even dished out a season-high 16 assists on Nov. 12 versus the Santa Cruz Warriors. He has proven that he can impact games in a variety of ways, something that will likely continue all season long.

He described his game after facing the Blue.

High motor. I feel like I can play both sides of the ball. Obviously, I’m not perfect but I feel like I’m a great player and if I keep working, I could be one of the best.

With the Ignite set to play a full, 50-game schedule for the first time this season, scouts and executives will have plenty of opportunities to watch Henderson in action. He is certainly worth tuning in to watch given his overall skill set.

The Ignite return to action on Friday versus Salt Lake City.

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Victor Wembanyama helps France claim FIBA World Cup berth with 19-point effort

Wembanyama averaged 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying games with France.

Projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama neared 20 points on Monday to lead the French national team to a win and a berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Wembanyama produced a team-high 19 points, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist in 24 minutes of work in the 92-56 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He went 7-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

The 7-foot-4 center was active on both ends of the court and was dominant in the paint. He used his size and skill to outwork the opposition and connected with his teammates on a few lobs. He even hit a one-legged 3-pointer early in the game.

The outing was the second for Wembanyama with France. He debuted with the senior team on Friday in a win over Lithuania, recording 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. France won both games in the fifth qualifying window to improve to 8-2.

France, along with Lithuania (8-2), will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup from Group K. The top three teams from each group earn tickets to the tournament. Montenegro (6-4), Bosnia and Herzegovina (5-5) and Hungary (5-5) remain in contention for the final berth.

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will run from Aug. 25-Sept. 10.

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Victor Wembanyama nears double-double in French national team debut

Wembanyama neared a double-double in his debut with the French national team in a FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying game.

Projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama neared a double-double in his debut with the French national team on Friday in a qualifier for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Wembanyama produced 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal as France improved to 7-2 in the qualifiers with a 90-65 win over Lithuania. He shot 6-of-13 from the field and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line in 23 minutes of action.

The 7-foot-4 center proved to be dominant in the paint as Lithuania had no answer for him. He had several putbacks after hauling in four offensive rebounds and even connected on a 3-pointer in the second half as France coasted to the win.

Wembanyama, 18, was set to debut with France over the summer in EuroBasket but was eventually ruled out of playing due to what the team labeled as a muscle injury. He now figures to be in France’s long-term plans in international competition.

With the win, France moved into first place in Group K over Lithuania, who is also 7-2. The top three teams will advance from each group as France will face Bosnia and Herzegovina next on Monday to close out the fifth window of qualifying. The final window will take place Feb. 20-28.

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will run from Aug. 25-Sept. 10.

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