Tag: 2021 nba draft

Usman Garuba makes his NBA debut for summer league Rockets

Within hours of finalizing his contract buyout in Spain, Usman Garuba traveled to Las Vegas to make his NBA debut for the summer Rockets.

Only two days after finalizing a contract buyout with his Spanish club team, Real Madrid, rookie forward Usman Garuba successfully made the trek to Las Vegas and joined the Houston Rockets in time for Thursday’s summer league game versus the Toronto Raptors.

Garuba’s playing time was limited after the complicated travel logistics and a lack of practice time with his new team, but he grabbed 6 rebounds in 12 minutes during Thursday’s 92-76 loss (box score).

Known as a strong, versatile defender with upside, the 19-year-old Spaniard was drafted by Houston at No. 23 overall in the 2021 first round. At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he projects as a frontcourt reserve next season behind established players Christian Wood, Jae’Sean Tate, Daniel Theis and, perhaps his summer teammate, KJ Martin.

Garuba joins guard Jalen Green (No. 2), big man Alperen Sengun (No. 16), and guard Josh Christopher (No. 24) as young building blocks from Houston’s strong 2021 draft class. All are members of the summer Rockets, who entered Thursday with wins in each of the first two games.

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Alperen Sengun wants to become a legend in Houston, NBA

Alperen Sengun, translated: “I will try to be a legend in Houston. I will also try to become an NBA legend, too.”

After being selected at No. 16 in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, 19-year-old Alperen Sengun has quickly become a fan favorite with the Houston Rockets. In two games (both wins) at the Las Vegas Summer League, the 6-foot-9 big man is averaging 18.0 points (45.8% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 11.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. And he often does it with infectious energy and a smile.

The big man from Turkey isn’t shy about his ambitions, either. In a translated interview, here’s what Sengun says about his future:

I play basketball and I enjoy it. I make money by playing a game that I love. I think that’s really important, so I’m really happy. I’m happy because this is my job. Everything is perfect right now. I hope now that I’m in Houston, everything will be perfect here, too.

I will do my absolute best here. I will try to be a legend in Houston. I will also try to become an NBA legend, too. I hope that in the future, people will look up to me, like I looked up to the previous Turkish players.

Sengun will continue the initial stage of his professional journey when the summer league Rockets (2-0) face the Toronto Raptors (1-1) on Thursday night from Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central on NBA TV, and Sengun is again expected to be Houston’s starting center.

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NBA summer league Day 2 reviews for Texas Longhorns draftees

How are the Longhorns doing in the NBA summer league?

With the Las Vegas Summer League heating up, there are four Texas Longhorns rookies spread across the league.

Former Texas star Kai Jones, who was taken by the Charlotte Hornets with No. 19 pick, has to take advantage of this opportunity to get his feet wet at the professional level. After being selected just outside the lottery, he is practically guaranteed a spot on the Hornets NBA roster, unless something unforeseen goes horrendously wrong.

Jones is the only player in a situation like his, as the other three Longhorns are truly battling for a spot in the NBA, especially undrafted Matt Coleman, who is playing on the Sacramento Kings summer league team. Coleman is simply competing for a spot in in general, whether it be a G League contract or an NBA deal.

Former Longhorn Greg Brown III was the No. 43 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and has a lot to prove in the summer league with the Portland Trailblazers, as they’re making moves as of right now to be a contender, so every remaining roster spot must be able to provide something.

Perhaps the most successful of the four thus far is big man Jericho Sims, who was already signed to a multiyear two-way contract with the New York Knicks after being taken with No. 58 overall pick. He shined in his first game, scoring 12 points on 6-for-6 shooting and grabbing 8 rebounds.

Let’s break down how each of the four did in their second game in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Interviews: Rockets react after win over Cade Cunningham, Detroit

Jalen Green, Josh Christopher, and summer league head coach Will Weaver shared their analysis after Houston’s impressive win on Tuesday.

Jalen Green, Josh Christopher, and Rockets summer league head coach Will Weaver met with the media on Tuesday night from Las Vegas following Houston’s impressive 111-91 win over Detroit.

Houston improved to 2-0 with the victory, while the Pistons — who have No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham and four players with prior NBA experience alongside him in their lineup — fell to 0-2. The Rockets return to summer league action on Thursday versus Toronto, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central in an NBA TV broadcast.

Statistical standouts from Tuesday’s game (box score) included:

Jalen Green, guard: 25 points (54.5% FG, 60% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, +17 in 30 minutes

Alperen Sengun, big: 21 points (57.1% FG), 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, +22 in 25 minutes

KJ Martin, forward: 16 points (50% FG), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, +11 in 29 minutes

Josh Christopher, guard: 15 points (50% FG), 7 assists, 3 rebounds, +22 in 27 minutes

Cade Cunningham, guard (Pistons): 20 points (44.4% FG), 4 rebounds, 3 steals, -8 in 29 minutes

Green, Sengun, and Christopher are all just 19 years old after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft at No. 2, No. 16, and No. 24 overall, respectively. With that trio of rookies leading the way and flanked by a promising second-year prospect in Martin, the future looks brighter by the day for the developing Rockets.

Here’s a sampling of Tuesday’s postgame interviews and reaction.

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Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher lead Rockets past Pistons

Even against a starting lineup of Cade Cunningham and four NBA players, Houston’s three first-round rookies were too much to handle.

The Detroit Pistons entered Tuesday’s game at the Las Vegas Summer League with a starting lineup comprised of No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham and four players with NBA experience.

But led by Jalen Green, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 first round, the Rockets might have even more young talent. Green, fellow rookie guard Josh Christopher and big man Alperen Sengun stole the show on Tuesday, leading Houston to a 111-91 victory (box score). Led by those three 19-year-olds, the summer Rockets improved to 2-0 in Las Vegas. Cunningham and the Pistons fell to 0-2.

Green led all scorers with an efficient 25 points on 11 shots (54.5% FG), and he adjusted quickly after Detroit frequently doubled and blitzed him to start the game. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Sengun tallied 21 points (57.1% FG), 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Christopher scored 15 points (50% FG) and dished out a game-high 7 assists.

Second-year forward KJ Martin also made key contributions to Houston’s win with 16 points (50% FG), 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Meanwhile, Cunningham led Detroit with 20 points (44.4% FG) in defeat.

See below for a compilation of highlights and postgame reaction from Tuesday’s game. Houston returns to summer league action on Thursday against No. 4 draft pick Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors. Tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central in an NBA TV broadcast.

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Report: Rockets see Josh Christopher as having Jrue Holiday potential

As told to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, rookie guard Josh Christopher is studying Jrue Holiday as a potential NBA player to emulate.

Houston Rockets guard Josh Christopher, who was taken at No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, already has a player in mind as he seeks to develop his game at the Las Vegas Summer League.

“Raf told me come be our Jrue Holiday, before I even got drafted,” Christopher told Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Raf is a reference to Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, who made the final draft decisions.

“He was like, ‘Yeah, I can see you being like a Jrue Holiday.’ So, just taking that, and then applying it,” Christopher told Iko.

Holiday, of course, has earned significant praise in recent weeks after helping lead his Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA title and then playing a key role on the U.S. men’s basketball national team, which won gold at the recently completed Tokyo Olympics.

In particular, Holiday has drawn attention for being a two-way force — and when Iko asked Christopher if there was an NBA player he was watching closely on the defensive end, Holiday was his answer.

Jrue Holiday’s a great offensive player, but he’s also a defensive player. So without having to be strictly a defensive player, I can still have that freedom of being offensive, but at the same time, it’s just playing basketball. You could take pride in defense just as much as offense. Stopping guys, it’s just as fun as putting the ball in the basket to me.

Christopher had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in Houston’s opening summer league victory on Sunday, but the 6-foot-5 guard earned the most attention for his aggressive on-ball defense.

When asked postgame about the 19-year-old, summer league head coach Will Weaver immediately offered strong praise.

His communication and intensity, and will to compete, is the best maybe I’ve ever seen. We are really excited about what his potential is, in all those different areas. Picking up the ball, making people uncomfortable, creating deflections … always being in the right spot, defensively, and ready to help a teammate.

Christopher and the Rockets will look to build on that performance in their second summer league matchup, which takes place Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. Central. With Houston facing off against Detroit, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Christopher gets at least a few possessions with the opportunity to guard No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham.

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Usman Garuba set to join Rockets after reaching buyout with Real Madrid

Spanish forward Usman Garuba has reportedly reached a buyout agreement with Real Madrid, which allows him to officially join the Rockets.

Usman Garuba, who was picked at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, has reportedly reached a contract buyout with his Spanish professional team, Real Madrid. The development allows the 6-foot-8 forward to play with the Houston Rockets in the 2021-22 season.

Tuesday’s news was first reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, which writes that Garuba and Real Madrid agreed to a plan to pay off the €3 million buyout clause in installments. The Rockets can contribute up to $775,000 (€655,000), while the rest comes out of Garuba’s contract.

For first-round NBA draft picks, salaries are generally structured according to a designated scale for each slot. Relative to slot value, teams can sign their first-round players to as little as 80% of that rookie scale amount or up to 120% of that figure. In most cases, the team offers the maximum amount as a sign of good faith. Assuming that holds true with the Rockets, along with standard annual raises, here’s what Garuba will earn over the four years of his first NBA contract (via HoopsRumors):

2021-22: $2.35 million
2022-23: $2.47 million
2023-24: $2.59 million
2024-25: $4.39 million
Total: $11.81 million

While Garuba hasn’t signed his contract with the Rockets yet, the financial agreement is implicit, since the 19-year-old wouldn’t otherwise have the money to pay off the €3 million buyout with Real Madrid.

With the buyout complete, Garuba could potentially join Houston at the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League. Entering this week’s proceedings, the team listed Garuba on its official roster (making him eligible to play) and indicated that they were hopeful of eventually having him.

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Interviews: Rockets react to opening win, big debuts by Green, Sengun

Jalen Green, KJ Martin, and summer league head coach Will Weaver shared their thoughts after Houston’s impressive win in Sunday’s opener.

Led by impressive performances from rookie guard Jalen Green and big man Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 84-76 (box score), in Sunday’s opening game at the Las Vegas Summer League. Green and Sengun were selected at No. 2 and No. 16, respectively, in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft.

Green scored a game-high 23 points in 30 minutes, and he connected on a team-best 4-of-9 shots (44.4%) from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Sengun added 15 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. Houston was plus-18 as a team in the 27 minutes played by the 19-year-old from Turkey. That plus/minus figure was the best of any player by either team.

Sengun even appeared to outplay fellow rookie center Evan Mobley (12 points, 5 rebounds), who was drafted by the Cavs at No. 3. Both of Houston’s prospects drew rave reviews from many who watched.

See below for highlights and postgame reaction via Sunday’s interviews with Green, summer league head coach Will Weaver, and second-year forward KJ Martin (17 points).

Houston resumes its Las Vegas schedule on Tuesday with a highly anticipated matchup versus Detroit and No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Central.

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Josh Primo shines in NBA Summer League with San Antonio Spurs

Primo is proving that he deserved to be a lottery pick!

Former Alabama guard Joshua Primo was drafted No. 12 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2021 NBA draft. Originally, fans and analysts from across the league with critical of the move by the Spurs, claiming that Primo was drafted far earlier than he should have been.

However, through two games in the NBA Summer League, Primo has silenced the doubters.

In yesterday’s contest against the Memphis Grizzlies, Primo played for over 30 minutes, shooting 41.2% from the field, scoring 17 points with three assists and two blocks.

The Spurs social media accounts, as well as other online, have posted videos of the rookies game, commenting on how well he’s performing.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Primo as he begins his professional basketball career with the San Antonio Spurs.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

Anonymous college basketball coach is a fan of the Tre Mann pick

Former Florida point guard Tre Mann is heading to Oklahoma City, and an anonymous college basketball coach is a big fan of the pick.

Florida point guard Tre Mann ended a drought of Gators first-round picks in the NBA draft that dated back to 2012. Mann’s selection by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 18th overall pick also made him UF’s first drafted player, period, since Erik Murphy in 2013.

With most projections showing Mann in the early-mid 20s, he heard his name called a bit earlier than most expected. And though his skill set may not exactly translate to a starting-caliber guard, he has enough versatility for one anonymous college basketball coach to be a big fan of the signing, per a report from ESPN.

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“He could be a really, really good pick,” the coach said. “He has Kyrie Irving-esque handle. I know that’s blasphemous, but it’s his finishing package, his handle, his creativity.”

Mann’s ball-handling is definitely a major reason why he was so successful slashing toward the basket last season, and though he’s considered a potential combo guard, he may see most of his reps at point for that reason.

He was one of seven SEC players to go in the first round, and the only one of those seven that wasn’t a one-and-done. It’s clear the league is gaining in stature, and coaching is likely a major reason why.

“It’s a testament to the players, but it starts from the leadership up top,” one SEC coach said. “Athletic departments making basketball a priority. The SEC is seen as a football conference, but you look up and down the league, whether it’s [Rick] Barnes, [Eric] Musselman, [John] Calipari, Nate Oats — the coaching in the league, you can put up against any league in the country. The combination of leadership and coaching is a huge, huge part of why the league has been able to take such a big jump.”

Mann wasn’t the only Florida player selected on Thursday night. He was joined by Scottie Lewis, who was taken with the 56th pick in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets. His selection came as a bit of a surprise, as many thought he would go undrafted.

In Oklahoma City, he likely won’t outcompete Kemba Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for starting reps, at least not any time soon. However, the depth behind those two consists of Theo Maledon, Luguentz Dort and 2021 sixth overall pick Josh Giddey. Mann may struggle to see time as a rookie, but he could eventually develop a role off the bench with the Thunder.

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