Tag: 2021 NBA Summer League

LaVar Ball sports ‘I Told You So!’ hat at LiAngelo’s debut

Check out the hat worn by LaVar Ball in support of LiAngelo at Summer League.

LaVar Ball spoke it into existence — almost.

With his middle son, LiAngelo, playing for the Charlotte Hornets Summer League team, LaVar is on the cusp of having all three of his sons in the NBA.

LiAngelo has had a few opportunities to get his foot in the league’s door, yet COVID-19 and an ankle injury put his NBA dreams on hold over the last two seasons.

But, with an impressive showing in Summer League with the Hornets, LiAngelo could find himself on the Hornets roster alongside his younger brother, LaMelo.

Sitting court side at Summer League to watch LiAngelo, LaVar Ball sported a ‘I Told You So!’ Big Baller Brand hat to show the world that he was right all along about his three boys.

Check out the image below posted by Boardroom’s Twitter page.

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WATCH: LaVar Ball reacts to LiAngelo hitting 3-pointer against Blazers

LiAngelo’s father celebrates court side as he nails a 3-pointer in Summer League.

Typically, the NBA Summer League is headlined by the top rookies in that year’s draft class.

This summer, that remains true but LiAngelo Ball has become one of the spectacles in Las Vegas this year.

Through two games with the Charlotte Hornets SL team, Ball is averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game on 50% shooting from the floor and 50% from 3-point range.

In Sunday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Ball scored 16 points on 5-of-8 from downtown. Following one of those hits from behind the arc, LaVar Ball, sitting court side, jumped up in celebration for his son.

Check out LaVar’s reaction below in the video posted by NBA Summer League’s Twitter.

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WATCH: LiAngelo Ball scores 10 points, 5 rebounds in loss to Kings

Check out LiAngelo’s Summer League highlights from the Hornets 80-70 loss to the Kings.

The Charlotte Hornets took their second straight Summer League loss in Las Vegas on Monday, losing 80-70 to the Sacramento Kings.

LiAngelo Ball, who scored 16 points on 5-of-8 from 3-point range in Sunday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in Monday’s loss.

Though Ball only shot 1-of-4 from downtown on Monday, the Hornets were plus-9 with him on the floor due to his great energy and hustle on the offensive glass and active hands in the passing lanes on the defensive end of the floor.

The Hornets will look to get their first Summer League victory on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.

Check out LiAngelo’s highlights from Monday’s loss via House of Highlights.

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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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Rockets vs. Pistons: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

In a nationally televised showdown of the 2021 NBA draft’s two top picks, Jalen Green and the Rockets face Cade Cunningham and Detroit.

In a showdown of the two top rookies from the recent 2021 NBA draft class, the Houston Rockets continue summer league play on Tuesday from Las Vegas with a much anticipated matchup versus Detroit.

The Pistons’ summer league team (0-1) is headlined by versatile wing Cade Cunningham, who played college hoops at Oklahoma State before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 first round. The Rockets (1-0) are led by G League Ignite guard Jalen Green — who the Pistons passed on to select Cunningham. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if Green, the No. 2 pick, wants to show Detroit what they’re missing out on.

Here’s when and how you should watch:

  • Date: Tuesday, Aug. 10
  • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free) or via Watch ESPN, with active subscription
  • Complete Summer Rosters: Detroit, Houston

In comparing Sunday’s openers, Green (23 points, 50% FG, 1 turnover) had a better night than Cunningham (12 points, 29.4% FG, 5 turnovers). The Rockets won their game versus Cleveland, while Detroit lost to Oklahoma City. Tuesday, however, should bring a new level of intensity.

Aside from Green, the Rockets started two established players (KJ Martin, Khyri Thomas) and two other first-round rookies (Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher) during Sunday’s victory. Meanwhile, the Pistons flanked Cunningham with four NBA veterans in the form of Tyler Cook, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, and Sekou Doumbouya. Unless otherwise notified, expect both teams to start the same units on Tuesday.

Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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LaMelo showed up to summer league in Puma’s private jet

Check out how LaMelo arrived in Las Vegas.

LaMelo Ball certainly knows how to arrive in style.

That’s exactly what he did in Las Vegas to watch his brother, LiAngelo, and the Charlotte Hornets play in the summer league.

LaMelo hopped on Puma’s private jet en route to Sin City, a trip he posted about on Puma Basketball’s Instagram page.

The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year sported his the debut of his signature shoe MB1 courtside on Sunday during the Hornets’ summer league opener.

Check out the video of LaMelo on Puma’s private jet below via Puma Basketball’s Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSXkc7WpczS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Nico Mannion, Italy beat Nigeria to advance to Olympic quarterfinals

Mannion averaged 15 points, five assists and 2.3 rebounds during the preliminary phase in Group B.

Nicolo Melli produced a team-high 15 points, Nico Mannion had 14 points and Achille Polonara added 13 points to lead Italy to a comeback win over Nigeria and advance to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

Italy trailed by eight points early in the fourth quarter, but a 14-0 run enabled them to pull ahead for good and take the 80-71 victory on Saturday. The Italians outscored Nigeria 24-8 in the final period to finish preliminary play with a 2-1 record.

With Nigeria down by just four points, Mannion drained a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to seal the victory. He finished with four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 16 minutes of work.

Mannion averaged 15 points, five assists and 2.3 rebounds in the group phase.

Italy earned a ticket to Tokyo after winning the qualifying tournament earlier this month from Belgrade, Serbia. Mannion played a key role for Italy in winning the qualifying tournament, averaging 17.7 points, four assists and 1.7 rebounds per game.

They opened up the Olympics with a 10-point win over Germany with Simone Fontecchio leading the way with 20 points. Following that game, Italy lost to Australia to set up a must-win situation on Saturday versus Nigeria to advance to the knockout round.

Italy finished second in Group B behind Australia (3-0) and in front of Germany (1-2) and Nigeria (0-3). They will begin the quarterfinals on Tuesday against an opponent to be determined from the final phase drawing, which will take place on Sunday.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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