Tag: Bol Bol

Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson show grit as Rockets rally past Suns

One night after struggling massively in the paint, Jabari Smith Jr. (22 points, 16 rebounds) and the Rockets flipped the script in Friday’s gritty win over Phoenix.

HOUSTON — One night after the Rockets were bullied inside in a blowout loss, second-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. responded with one of the strongest games of his career in Friday’s 114-110 win (box score) over the visiting Phoenix Suns (33-24). Houston (25-31) is now 20-9 in home games at Toyota Center this season.

Smith finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals, representing the first 20-15 game of his young career. Houston, which entered with six losses in its last seven games, recovered from a 22-6 deficit in the game’s early minutes to dramatically turn the tables.

The Rockets connected on 15-of-45 shots from 3-point range (33.3%) on Friday, which proved decisive on a night in which the visiting Suns shot only 7-of-31 from distance (22.6%). Smith (3), Jalen Green (3), and Fred VanVleet (6) led Houston in 3-point makes.

Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each scored 15 points off Houston’s bench, while Thompson added 10 rebounds in his 33 minutes. The rookie duo combined to shoot 11-of-22 overall (50.0%).

Beyond Smith and the rookies, who all contributed on both ends of the court, other standout statistical lines for the Rockets included:

  • VanVleet: 23 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-14 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-15 shooting (40.0%)
  • Green: 14 points, 4 assists; 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Sengun hit 5-of-6 last-minute free throws (83.3%) to secure the win.

On defense, Thompson was a big factor in limiting Suns star Devin Booker to an inefficient 25 points on 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%), including 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Kevin Durant, also an All-Star, led the visitors with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 10-of-22 (45.5%) — though he hit just 1-of-7 from 3-point range (14.3%).

Bol Bol, a sparingly used 7-foot-3 forward, had the best game of his young career off the Phoenix bench, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds in 27 minutes while making 11-of-17 shots (64.7%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is a home-and-home pair of games with Oklahoma City (38-17), with the first coming Sunday in Houston. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

Bol Bol is headed for the desert on a one-year deal with the Suns

Former Duck Bol Bol has signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns after what was his best season.

Bol Bol is on the move once again.

The former Oregon center has signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, according to multiple reports.

Bol has been battling foot injuries ever since he was a Duck, but he managed to stay healthy this past season and had a career year in Orlando. He averaged nine points and nearly six rebounds in 22 minutes a game.

As a reward, the Magic unceremoniously released the 7-foot-2 player from Sudan.

Bol has had quite the early career after he declared for the NBA draft. He fell to the second round and was selected by Miami, which then turned him around to play for Denver. He still suffered from injuries and played just 53 games in three seasons for the Nuggets.

But it seemed like Bol finally put his injuries behind him and found a nice home with the Magic where he played in 70 games and shot 55 percent from the field.

Obviously Orlando wasn’t the place for Bol and maybe he is the missing piece for the Suns in 2023-24.

Report: Orlando Magic tell former Duck Bol Bol bye bye

After a career season and staying healthy, Bol Bol was unceremoniously waived by the Orlando Magic.

In a surprising move, former Oregon Duck center Bol Bol was waived by the Orlando Magic and making him a free agent.

The decision is surprising because Bol had a good season for Orlando where he played in 70 regular season games. It was also the first season where the 7-foot-2 player was healthy. He has battled foot injuries ever since Bol was at Oregon.

Bol shot nearly 55 percent from the field and averaged nine points a game for the Magic that finished with a 34-48 record in 2022-23.

After declaring for the NBA has just a half a season with the Ducks, Bol was disappointed he didn’t go in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. He fell all the way to 44th overall when Miami finally drafted him and promptly traded the lanky center to Denver where he was limited.

At Oregon, Bol started out with a bang as he averaged 21 points per game and shot 52 percent from beyond the arc. But he participated in just nine games for the Ducks before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

No doubt the talent is there and if he can stay healthy and receive consistent playing time, an NBA squad could surely use Bol’s unique talents.

Five Boston Celtics alumni on the move in 2019 NBA redraft

Five Celtics alumni ended up seeing their draft stock shift considerably with the benefit of hindsight lifting their fortunes.

With Hoops Hype’s Frank Urbina and Raul Barrigon busy reassessing the draft orders of the last several decades over the last few years, there are always a number of Boston Celtics alumni on the move in their re-drafts as a result.

In the H/H duo’s reassessment of the NBA’s 2019 draft class, a total of five Celtics alumni ended up seeing their draft stock shift considerably with the benefit of hindsight lifting their fortunes. And while they won’t see any pay raises or anything else of that sort given the fictitious nature of such an exercise, it’s also nice to see this duo get their flowers, too.

Let’s take a look at which Boston alumni landed where.

Ducks in the NBA: Bol Bol struggles, Eugene Omoruyi finds new home

There are a handful of Oregon Ducks contributing at the NBA level this season, although injuries are impacting many of the big names.

It was a disappointing season for the Oregon Ducks on the hardwood this season, but for hoops fans in Eugene at least there are a handful of alumni playing at the NBA level.

Dillon Brooks has been the Ducks player in the news most often this season, although usually for his antics on the court rather than his play on the court – which has been disappointing for the most part this year.

Elsewhere, Payton Pritchard is still with Boston despite requesting a trade before the deadline, Chris Duarte is still dealing with ankle injuries that have plagued him for two years, and Bol Bol’s tantalizing potential is marred by inconsistent play.

It all seems so familiar, which is why it’s no surprise that Chris Boucher is posting almost the exact same stat line from last year again this season.

There are some differences, namely Eugene Omoruyi’s team and the emergence of Troy Brown as a starter, but otherwise it’s a lot of familiarity in our latest update on Ducks in the NBA:

How NBA trade deadline impacted every Oregon Duck

The eight Oregon Ducks in the NBA all stayed put during the 2023 NBA trade deadline, but the moves their team made will impact playing time.

The NBA trade deadline is guaranteed to be among the most action packed days in sports every single year, and 2023 was no different.

Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns was the big move, immediately cementing this club as a title contender. The local Portland Trail Blazers made moves involving a pair of former Pac-12 stars, shipping Oregon State product Gary Payton II to Golden State while bringing in Washington alumni Matisse Thybulle.

No Ducks were involved in any deadline deals, although many will feel the effect of this day for the rest of the season. Some guys have a bigger opportunity to snag playing time, while others just saw their chances dwindle over the final few months.

Here is a look at how each of the eight Oregon alumni in the NBA were impacted by their team’s trade deadline acquisitions and departures, with an updated look at their performance on the season as well.

Bol Bol somehow completed the most astonishing passing highlight of the season

Bol Bol literally makes no sense.

I’ll be completely honest with you. I’m not entirely sure how to describe what I just watched.

Orlando’s Bol Bol has already had several jaw-dropping highlights so far this season. But this one makes less sense than almost anything that we have ever seen on a basketball court from someone of his height.

The 7-foot-2 forward, who has scored efficiently in isolation so far this season, completed a crossover against Toronto guard Fred VanVleet (a candidate for All-Defensive honors last season).

Then as four defenders collapsed onto him near the rim, he threw one of the wildest passes I’ve seen in quite some time to find a wide-open Markelle Fultz in the corner for a 3-pointer.

Bol often looks like he is playing a different sport when he is on the court.

This, however, was a special highlight even by his standards. The Magic are continuing to lose games, though, which means they are likely going to be in the running to land Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft.

It’s time to start fantasizing about Bol and Wemby on the same team.

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Oregon Ducks in the NBA: Bol Bol is becoming a star before our eyes

Bol Bol has developed into a star for the Orlando Magic, representing the eight Oregon Ducks in the NBA quite well so far this year.

The Oregon Ducks have consistently churned out NBA talent during the Dana Altman era, and so far this season eight alumni have suited up at the game’s highest level.

The biggest storyline among Oregon alumni has been the emergence of center Bol Bol. After getting traded twice last season (and having one trade voided) Bol has found a home in Orlando.

Playing alongside superstar rookie Paolo Banchero, Bol has begun to show the tantalizing promise that made him such an intriguing prospect. He’s blocking shots, shooting threes, taking guys off the dribble, and making a strong impact on both ends of the floor so far this year.

Dillon Brooks, Chris Boucher, Chris Duarte, and Payton Pritchard are all settling into key roles similar to previous seasons – although an injury to Duarte has slowed his progress in year two.

Here is a look at how every Oregon alumni is performing through the first six weeks of NBA action:

Wembanyama Wednesday: Stop comparing Bol and Wemby, start imagining them on the same team

Imagine the lengthiest team to ever exist.

Welcome to Wembanyama Wednesdays, our new recurring weekly post that will provide you with everything you need to know about Victor Wembanyama, the once-in-a-generation talent coming to an NBA team soon.

Victor Wembanyama is the best basketball prospect we’ve seen since LeBron James. Bol Bol is a former second-round pick. It’s apples and oranges.

But after a recent hot streak from Bol, in which his highlights looked like he was playing a totally different sport, it’s become in vogue to compare the two players. The latest to do as much is Paolo Banchero, who was just selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero spoke to Michael Scotto about the comparisons (via HoopsHype):

“Everyone talks about the Victor dude from France,” Magic star Paolo Banchero told HoopsHype when asked who compares to Bol. “I’m not trying to compare them, but Bol’s 7-foot-2, shoots threes, brings it up the court, makes passes, and blocks shots. I feel like people kind of forget about him, but Bol’s a freak of nature.”

Banchero said he isn’t trying to compare the two players, and it’s sort of a fool’s errand to compare their numbers considering they play in drastically different leagues and they’re at different stages of their development.

But if everyone is making the comparisons, sure, let’s look at the numbers.

NAME HT/WS WT  FG% RIM% 3P% FT% REB% AST% PPP BLK%
Wemby 7’4″ / 8’0″  229 lbs 50.3% 74.1% 31.0% 74.6% 17.9% 13.5% 1.12 10.5%
Bol 7’2″ / 7’8″ 220 lbs 60.1% 81.6% 41.9% 76.7% 16.7% 5.5% 1.11 6.9%


(Note that all stats are pulled from RealGM and Synergy on Nov. 30, 2022) 

Wembanyama has a much higher usage rate than Bol and he creates his own shot far more often in isolation and off the dribble.

But otherwise, keeping all of the factors at play in mind, the numbers do look fairly similar. Here are some of the tweets where others have made the same observation — although some may be facetious.

Even though he was a second-round pick back in 2019, Bol was actually considered a higher-rated recruit than Zion Williamson.

Bol didn’t pan out for the Nuggets, unfortunately, but he has since had a career resurgence playing for the Magic.

Based on ESPN’s BPI, Orlando is projected to have a 37.1% chance of landing one of the first three picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Teams that land within the top three then have a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick.

Later, we’ll get to some of the other teams who have aspirations of drafting Wembanyama. But until then, let’s daydream about Wembanyama joining the lengthiest team in the NBA playing alongside Bol, Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Mo Bamba.

Isn’t that fun?

Tobias Harris, Sixers explain how they slowed down Bol Bol, Magic in win

Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers explain how they were able to slow down Bol Bol and the Orlando Magic late in a road win.

ORLANDO–The Philadelphia 76ers were looking a bit rough in the first half when they took on the Orlando Magic on the road. Missing Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and Matisse Thybulle, they had a tough time on the defensive end against the taller Magic.

Bol Bol, Mo Bamba, Paolo Banchero, and Moe Wagner were all getting into the paint and using their size advantage with no Embiid in the paint and they had 32 points inside at halftime as they took a 56-52 advantage. The Magic feature so much size along the frontline and that is one advantage they wanted to really use in this situation.

After halftime, Philadelphia buckled down and they found a way to limit Bol and the Magic to just 16 points in the paint after halftime. Their defensive efforts led to a 107-99 win over Orlando on the road. Afterward, Tobias Harris and the Sixers explained their success in the win.