Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler to take part in Rising Stars game

Two former Tiger teammates are taking part in the NBA Rising Stars game

Former teammates turned young and budding NBA stars [autotag]Jabari Smith Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] have accepted their invitations to play in the NBA Rising Stars game to kick off the 2024 All-Star Weekend.

It’s the second straight year the former Tiger teammates will be participating in the event. This year’s version takes place on Friday, February 16 at 8 PM CST.

Smith comes into the All-Star break amid a breakout sophomore season for the Houston Rockets. The former second-overall pick has parlayed an outstanding Summer League and preseason into a 14-points-per-game and 9-rebounds-per-game campaign. He also averages nearly a block per contest.

As for Kessler, the 22-year-old has slightly regressed in terms of production this season for the Utah Jazz. The 7-foot center from Atlanta, Georgia is averaging 8 points and 7 rebounds this season after 9-point and 8-rebound averages in his rookie year.

Smith and Kessler make up a player poll of 28 rookies, sophomores, and G League players who will be drafted into four teams to compete in a single elimination tournament.

Other notable players in the poll rookies Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Scoot Henderson, and Alabama alumni Brandon Miller. Former Kentucky center Oscar Tshibwe is one of seven players in the G League poll.

The Panini Rising Stars Challenge can be seen on TNT and HBO Max at 8 PM CST on February 16. NBATV will also be televising practice in the morning, starting at 10 AM CST.

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How does Sharife Cooper feel about his professional career?

Cooper is working this summer to earn a spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster.

[autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag] was one of the most highly anticipated recruits to ever come through the Auburn Basketball program.

According to 247Sports, Cooper is the third-highest-ranked recruit the Tigers have ever landed.

Things did not go exactly as planned, however, as an NCAA investigation, a shortened season, and injuries heavily limited Cooper’s time on the court and he only played in 12 games.

The Powder Springs, Georgia native was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the 48th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. After filling the role of a two-way player for the Hawks in the 2021-22 season, Cooper did the same thing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2022-23 season.

Cooper offered his perspective on why he does not have a permanent spot on an NBA roster when talking to reporters last week. An AL.com article included what Cooper had to say.

“You got to control what you can control,” Cooper said. “It’s so hard to think about: What can I do to get to the next level? You get so caught up into that, you kind of lose focus on where you are.”

Cooper also gave some insight into his thought process for his career.

“I try not to think like that,” Cooper said. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. Not too many people get to say they can come to a summer league and have a training camp in the NBA. I try not to lose the thought that I’m extremely blessed to be where I am, and, hopefully, I just take care of what I have to take care of and let everything else take care of itself.”

Cooper is determined to show that he is capable of a full-time spot on an NBA roster.

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WATCH: Jabari Smith hits crazy buzzer-beater to win Summer League opener

He scored 29 points in the second half to lead the Rockets to victory.

[autotag]Jabari Smith Jr.[/autotag] didn’t have the rookie season many were expecting but his second season is off to a great start. He made a wild buzzer-beating 3-point shot to lead the Houston Rockets to a 100-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night in Las Vegas.

Smith took over for the Rockets in the final 30 seconds of the game.

He made six straight free throws to cut the Trail Blazers lead to 98-97 with 9 seconds to go. He then blocked an attempted alley-oop by Ibou Badji with 0.6 seconds left to keep the Rockets alive.

The former Tiger then caught the inbounds at the top of the key and heaved in the game-winner.

Smith scored the final nine points of the game for the Rockets to finish with a game-high 33 points. He had an efficient night from the field, making 44.4% of his shots from the floor, 37.5% from 3-point range, and going 14-of-17 from the free-throw line.

He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team last season after averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Rockets.

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Three former Tigers to play in NBA 2k24 Summer League

jabari Smith, Sharife Cooper and Wendell Green Jr. are set to return to the court.

Three former Tigers are set to compete in the NBA 2K24 Summer League 2023. The event will take place on July 7-17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.

[autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] headlines the group after being drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He is joined by guards [autotag]Sharife Cooper[/autotag] and [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] who will both be playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Smith was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Rockets. He will be looking to improve his efficiency after shooting 40.8% from the field and just 30.7% from deep last season.

Cooper is looking to show he is ready to compete in the NBA after making the All-NBA G League Second Team last season. He averaged 21.3 points, 6.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game for the Cleveland Charge last season.

Green went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft and is looking to earn a contract.

Every game of the event will be on either an ESPN network (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNews) or NBA TV. You can also stream them on the ESPN App or NBA App.

Here is a look at the schedule for both the Cavaliers and the Rockets.

Former Auburn guard signs NBA Summer League deal

Wendell Green Jr. will get a chance to make an NBA roster this summer.

A key member of Auburn’s basketball roster will get a chance to continue his career in the NBA.

After going undrafted in Thursday’s NBA draft, former Auburn guard [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] has connected with the Cleveland Cavaliers and will play for them during the NBA Summer League. A successful summer could end with a spot on Cleveland’s NBA G-League roster.

After Green declared his intention to turn pro, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] took time to share gratitude for Green’s contributions to the program over the last two seasons.

“Wendell had a huge imprint on this team,” Pearl said. “Not many Auburn basketball teams have gone back-to-back to the NCAA Tournament and won first-round games, and Wendell’s teams did that — to his credit.”

Green’s Auburn career ends with an average of 12.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game over 68 total games on the Plains. He made 39 starts in two seasons.

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Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith Jr. make NBA All-Rookie teams

Walker Kessler made the first team and Jabari Smith Jr. made the second.

[autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] and [autotag]Jabari Smith Jr.[/autotag] were both named to the NBA’s All-Rookie teams on Monday.

Kessler made the first team at center while Smith made the second team as a power forward.

Kessler, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game for the Utah Jazz. His 72% shooting percentage led the league and his 2.3 blocks were fourth most.

Smith averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Houston Rockets after they drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick. He struggled from deep in his first season, making just 30.7% of his shots from behind the arc.

He recorded three straight 20-point, 10-rebound games in March for the Rockets to become the first teenager in NBA history to do so. and the first Rockets rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.

They are the fifth and sixth former Tigers to be named to the NBA All-Rookie teams, joining Charles Barkley (1985, first), Chris Morris (1989, second), Chuck Person (1987, first), and Wesley Person (1995, second).

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Walker Kessler listed as a contender for NBA Rookie of the Year

Kessler has turned heads during his initial season in the NBA.

[autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag]’s NBA career got off to a strange start, but it has turned out to be just another chapter in a memorable rookie season.

Kessler, who was originally drafted 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, was a part of two trades within 13 days before settling with the Utah Jazz. During his initial campaign, Kessler became one of the most consistent rookies of the 2022-23 season. Because of this, Kessler has been listed as a candidate for the KIA NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The former Auburn big man is a finalist for the award alongside Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City‘s Jalen Williams.

Kessler appeared in 74 games for the Jazz, making 40 starts. Over the season, Kessler averaged 23 minutes, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 9.2 points per game. He also shot 72% from the field.

His best game of the season was on March 25 against the Sacramento Kings, when he scored a season-high 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Another memorable game of Kessler’s rookie season was on Jan. 16 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he scored 20 points and posted 21 boards. He leads all rookies with 20 double-doubles, rebounds, and in blocks.

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Walker Kessler scores career-high 31 points for the Utah Jazz

He has been a steal for the Jazz.

[autotag]Walker Kessle[/autotag]r continued his sensational rookie season last night for the Utah Jazz.

The former Auburn Tigers scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a loss to the Sacramento Kings. He was once again extremely efficient, making 14 of his 16 shots.

Kessler is the first-ever Jazz rookie to have a 30-point, 10-rebound game and it is the 19th time this season he has recorded a double-double.

He has already established himself as an elite rim protector, blocking 2.3 shots per game, the fourth most of anyone in the NBA. But he is starting to show his ability to impact the offensive end.

In 10 games this March he is averaging 13.2 points per game and has finished in double figures seven times. He’s up to 8.9 points per game in his season and is making 72.2% of his shots, the best percentage in the entire NBA.

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WATCH: Isaac Okoro drains game-winning 3 for Cleveland Cavaliers

It is the first game-winner of his young career.

The biggest question about [autotag]Isaac Okoro[/autotag] when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him was his shooting. Well, he showed how far he has come Thursday night, draining a three with 0.7 seconds remaining to secure a 116-114 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

With the Cavs trailing 114-112 with 11.6 seconds left the Nets fouled Donovan Mitchell who calmly made the first free throw before missing the second. After Mitchell missed two put-back shots the ball bounced out to Caris LeVert who found Okoro in the corner for the game-winner.

Okoro finished the game with 11 points and was 3-of-4 from deep.

After making just 28.6% of his 3-pointers in his lone season at Auburn, he has improved each season and is shooting 35.3% from behind the arc this season. He is averaging 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds for the Cavaliers who are 47-28 and the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Watch Okoro make his first career game-winner below.

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Jabari Smith joins Hakeem Olajuwon in Rockets history

Jabari Smith is starting to heat up.

[autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] continued his great play Monday night and helped lead the Houston Rockets to a 111-109 win over the Boston Celtics.

Smith finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, his third-straight game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. The former Auburn Tiger is the first Rockets rookie to accomplish that feat since the great Hakeem Olajuwon did so in six straight games in 1985.

Smith, the third overall pick in last year’s draft, struggled to start the season but has turned a corner over the past six games. He is averaging 18.7 points and 7.8 rebounds over that stretch

Even more impressively, he is starting to become an efficient scorer. He is shooting 72.9% from the field and 53.6% from 3-point range in those six games.

“(I’m) just letting it go and trusting my work,” Smith told Vanessa Richardson of AT&T SportsNet Southwest. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was born (so I’m) trusting my work, trusting what got me here and just letting it fly.”

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