Tag: Bobby Portis

Austin Reaves set to join Team USA for 2023 FIBA World Cup

Oklahoma alum Austin Reaves set to play for Team USA in upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Fresh off the best season of his professional career, Austin Reaves continues his ascent. While his Los Angeles Lakers team bowed out in the conference finals to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets, Reaves, will join Team USA for the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.

Reaves is one of 10 players already confirmed for the roster. He joins Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans, Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis Grizzlies), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets.

Reaves figures to be an effective option off the bench for Team USA, and he’s a natural fit as with his ability to fill various roles. He can play on and off the ball as a scoring option and be the initiator like he was alongside LeBron James with the Lakers. He’ll be able to do the same thing for Team USA, with guys like Haliburton and Brunson playing as primary playmakers for the first unit.

The 25-year-old is coming off a career year, averaging 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a night on 53 percent shooting from the field, 40 percent from three, and 86 percent from the charity stripe.

He also had a big postseason run, solidifying himself as the Lakers third best player, which included 21.2 points per game in the Lakers’ matchup against the Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.

In addition to his Teasm USA selection, Reaves will be the focal point of significant contract discussions as he enters unrestricted free agency. Reaves could command just under a $100 million contract somewhere in the range of a four-year deal worth a maximum of just under $98 million. The Lakers could match it, or they could pass. On top of that, Reaves and Chinese company Rigorer are finalizing a signature shoe deal that is expected to reach well over seven figures per year per Stadium’s Shams Charania.

For now, Reaves will focus on his role for Team USA and let[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368] everything else to fall into place.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Former Razorback Bobby Portis to represent Team USA this summer

Former Arkansas star Bobby Portis is representing Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.

Arkansas legend and current Milwaukee Bucks forward, [autotag]Bobby Portis[/autotag], has committed to representing Team USA for 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.

According to a report from Shams Charania of the Athletic, Portis will be joining Team USA’s roster which includes NBA All-Stars Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) and Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), rising stars Jalen Brunson (Knicks) and Mikal Bridges (Nets) and even fellow Arkansas native Austin Reaves (Lakers).

“Portis, 28, is an eight-year NBA vet and versatile big man off the Bucks’ bench,” Charania said. “A similar role is likely on Team USA.”

As Charania alluded to, the former Razorback just finished his eighth year in the NBA and it was his best season of his career statistically. Portis averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while being named a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Team USA will start their training camp Aug. 3 in Las Vegas before playing their first exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Aug. 7. They will take a two-week exhibition trip to Spain and the United Emirates before beginning the 2023 FIBA World Cup against New Zealand on Aug. 26.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=130]

Bobby Portis is reportedly interested in coming to the Lakers

Bobby Portis, one of the NBA’s best complementary big men, is reportedly interested in reuniting with Darvin Ham on the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers could use improved frontcourt depth, especially after Nikola Jokic chewed them up and spit them out in the Western Conference finals.

There are also those who believe Anthony Davis would be best off starting and playing at the power forward position next season, just as he did a few years ago when the team won the NBA championship.

There is a very good complementary big man who could help satisfy both desires.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis is reportedly interested in coming to the Purple and Gold.

Via Lakers Daily:

“According to a source, Portis is interested in joining the Lakers to reunite with former head coach Darvin Ham.”

Portis, who is 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, can play both power forward and center. He is a good rebounder who is also a capable scorer. He averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds in 26 minutes a game while shooting 49.6% overall and 37% from 3-point range this regular season.

He played a key role in Milwaukee winning the world title two years ago back when Ham was an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer, who was recently fired.

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo hops on the ‘Muss Bus’…temporarily

It looks like Bobby Portis has a little work to do to get his superstar teammate fully behind the Hogs.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have been getting quite a bit of attention after their upset victory over Kansas last Saturday, advancing into their third straight Sweet 16 in the process.

[autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag] has had appearances on both The Rich Eisen Show and The Jim Rome Show, while the program is getting a lot of play among major television networks across the country.

That attention led to one of the biggest stars in the entire NBA to officially hop on board the “Muss Bus.”

In a video taken from the official Milwaukee Bucks Twitter account, two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, proclaimed that the Razorbacks were “his team.”

Antetokounmpo, who is currently teammates with former Arkansas star [autotag]Bobby Portis[/autotag], was drafted by the Bucks straight from his native country of Greece. That means that he doesn’t have any prior allegiances to a college basketball team, and there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest for him to endorse the Razorbacks.

Unfortunately, it seems like Portis still has some work to do to get “The Greek Freak” calling the Hogs. Musselman’s version of the video cuts off before Giannis ultimately switches his allegiance to UCLA – one of Arkansas’ potential opponents in the Elite Eight.

Nonetheless, it’s still a pretty cool moment when one of the biggest superstars in the NBA is considering rooting for your team. Plus, there’s more than enough room on the Arkansas bandwagon for a player of Giannis’ stature, if he was to jump back onboard.

The main takeaway is that Arkansas is becoming a prominent brand in all levels of basketball once again. There’s no better coach in the country when it comes to promoting their program than Eric Musselman, and this is just the latest example.

If the Razorbacks are able to make an even deeper run in the [autotag]NCAA Tournament[/autotag], there’s no telling who else would call the Hogs and jump aboard the “Muss Bus.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=130]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3h383th881vsf1 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Razorbacks in the NBA: Mid-Week Report (Nov. 13-17)

There are six Pro Hogs in the NBA currently, here’s a look at how they’ve performed over the past few games.

It’s hard to remember a time where Arkansas basketball had as many former players on NBA rosters as they do right now.

The resurgence of Arkansas basketball under Eric Musselman has led to there being a spotlight on the program and a renewed sense of pride in being a former Razorback.

All six former Hogs that are playing in the NBA right now are contributing to their teams and carving out solid careers. The past two seasons have seen a pair of former Razorbacks (Bobby Portis and Moses Moody) win an NBA championship and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in June.

It’s a great time to be a fan of all things Arkansas basketball, and Razorbacks Wire has you covered when it comes to keeping you up to date on the NBA careers of all former Hogs.

Here’s a look at how they fared in games played from Nov. 13 through Nov. 17.

Bobby Portis highlighted a big difference between Draymond Green’s fight and the one that got him suspended

Portis was suspended eight games in 2017 for punching a teammate.

If the Golden State Warriors wanted to suspend Draymond Green for punching teammate Jordan Poole during a recent practice, there would have been precedent for it.

It was only five years ago that Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis was suspended eight games for punching former Chicago Bulls teammate Nikola Mirotic at a practice.

The Warriors are choosing to handle their matter internally — though that could presumably change after video of the altercation leaked Friday — but Portis made it known on Twitter that the two situations aren’t at all alike. In fact, Green’s punch on Poole is probably worse if Portis’ claim of self-defense is true.

If someone wanted to make a case for suspension against Green, this would be the one. Though Portis’ punch left Mirotic hospitalized with facial fractures, he was reportedly defending himself against someone who was the aggressor. And that got him an eight-game ban.

In the video of Golden State’s practice, Green was the aggressor. He approached Poole first, before being shoved and punching back. That’s totally different than what was described in Portis’ altercation.

[mm-video type=video id=01gesjg5ksk39c4gpxvc playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gesjg5ksk39c4gpxvc/01gesjg5ksk39c4gpxvc-d2cfd23b046c75898453b66a0a7d5c00.jpg]

[listicle id=1970693]

Arkansas native Moses Moody brings NBA title trophy to Little Rock

Former Arkansas basketball player Moses Moody won the NBA title this year with Golden State.

A year after Bobby Portis brought the NBA Championships trophy to the state capital, Moses Moody has done the same.

Moody and the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in six games last month to capture their fourth NBA title in the last eight years. On Friday, Moody brought the championship trophy to the town he called home for a bulk of his life.

Moody was in town to promote AR Kids Read at the Hoop Session event. Little Rock mayor Frank Scott Jr. proclaimed the day as “Moses Moody Day” and gave him the key to the city.

Moody played high-school basketball at Little Rock Parkview and North Little Rock High before his senior season in Florida. After high school, he spent one year with the Razorbacks upon which he was named SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game and helping the Hogs to the Elite Eight.

Last year, Little Rock native Bobby Portis brought the trophy to the city after his Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns.

Four former Hogs have eyes on NBA title as playoffs set to start

Arkansas had seven guys in the NBA this season. Four are in the playoffs, hoping for a NBA ring as the playoffs begin this weekend.

[autotag]Arkansas basketball[/autotag] had arguably its best season from former Razorbacks in the NBA in 2021-22. Now four of those ex-Hogs are seeking an NBA title.

The Razorbacks had seven players in the NBA at one point this season. It’s the most Arkansas has had in top pro league in the world at a time since 1999 when a different seven were on NBA rosters.

[autotag]Bobby Portis[/autotag], who won the NBA championship with Milwaukee last year, had even better individual season this year. [autotag]Moses Moody[/autotag] tied a record with Golden State in his rookie season to put his name alongside none other than Stephen Curry. [autotag]Patrick Beverley[/autotag] helped Minnesota to a play-in round win earlier in the week and remains one of the league’s best defenders. [autotag]Isaiah Joe[/autotag] took a step forward with Philadelphia. [autotag]Daniel Gafford[/autotag] started most of the season for Washington. [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag] had a cup of coffee with the Lakers. Even [autotag]Joe Johnson[/autotag], the most successful former Arkansas player in the NBA the last couple decades, had a return to the top level.

Portis’, Moody’s, Beverley’s and Joe’s teams all made the playoffs. Play-in games continue Friday before the traditional No. 1 seed through No. 8 seed tournament begins Saturday.

This is a closer look at the Hogs vying for a championship.

Jaylin Williams predicted to be picked higher than Daniel Gafford: Does that mean he’ll leave?

Jaylin Williams has been slotted anywhere from No. 28 to No. 49 in the NBA draft.

[autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] announced his decision to enter the NBA Draft last week. The 6-foot-10 Arkansas sophomore had a breakout season in his second year, drawing the eyes of the professional ranks.

But Williams, a Fort Smith native, decided against – for the time being – hiring an agent, leaving open an option to return to Fayetteville for his junior season. The act allows him to test the waters, get feedback from NBA teams about where he might be selected were he to go that route.

There’s reason to believe he will, too. Arkansas coach [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag], already in need of frontcourt help even if Williams were to return, has landed four players from the transfer portal since the season ended. All four all expected to be rotation players.

Bryan Kalbrosky of USA TODAY has Williams being selected in the first round by the Miami Heat at pick No. 27 in his latest mock draft. That’s only five picks lower than the last Arkansas frontcourt player to be taken in the draft, [autotag]Bobby Portis[/autotag], in 2015.

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report thinks Williams will go, but a little later. He has Williams at No. 39 to San Antonio. That would be one pick lower than former Arkansas center [autotag]Daniel Gafford[/autotag], who also left after his sophomore season in 2019.

And Mike Schmitz and Jonathan Givony at ESPN think Williams will go just a bit deeper, pick No. 45 to the Clippers. Such a slotting would make Williams the lowest Arkansas draft pick since Darnell Robinson in 1996.

Three months ago Williams wasn’t on any of the boards. His surge during SEC play changed that. Arkansas fans sometimes, in their desire for his return, cite that as a reason for him to play another year with the Hogs. The thinking being, “if he did that in three months, imagine how much his stock could improve with another full season.”

For now, the question remains. Arkansas has filled his job position-wise with extra bodies. But you can bet Musselman wouldn’t mind having the rock of his program back in 2022-23.

[listicle id=7623]

Reaction: Giannis Antetokounmpo leads dominant fourth quarter as Bucks snap Rockets’ streak

Giannis Antetokounmpo outdueled Christian Wood and Garrison Mathews as Houston’s long winning streak finally came to an end Friday versus the defending NBA champs.

Two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 41 points and 17 rebounds as the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks took over late in Friday’s game to finally snap a seven-game winning streak by the host Houston Rockets, 123-114 (box score).

The “Greek Freak” connected on 15-of-19 shots (78.9%) from the field, and he had plenty of help from teammates Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis, who scored 21 points apiece and combined to make 8-of-18 shots from 3-point range (44.4%). Milwaukee (17-10) trailed for much of the game, but they outscored Houston (8-17) by a commanding 33-19 margin in the fourth quarter to finally take control at Toyota Center.

Garrison Mathews scored 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting on 3-pointers (54.5%) to lead the Rockets, representing the most points yet for “Garry Bird” in Houston. Christian Wood added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Armoni Brooks scored 21 points and hit four 3-pointers.

Rookie big man Alperen Sengun had 15 points and 5 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting (75.0%) in only 16 minutes, but he didn’t play in the game’s final nine minutes as Milwaukee took over in the clutch. See below for highlights and postgame reaction from the Houston locker room.

Friday’s game wraps up a four-game homestand for the rebuilding Rockets, who are now set to begin a rough stretch of eight road games in their next nine. That starts with Saturday’s visit to Memphis on night two of a split back-to-back, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.

[lawrence-related id=58543,58536]