Tag: Charles Bassey

Report: Spurs big man Charles Bassey tears his ACL in G League

San Antonio Spurs big man Charles Bassey tore his ACL on Sunday while playing in the G League for the Austin Spurs.

According to Andrew Lopez of ESPN, San Antonio Spurs big man Charles Bassey tore his ACL while playing with the Austin Spurs in the G League on Sunday. Bassey has split his time between the G League and the NBA for the majority of the season but will now miss the remainder of the year.

In 19 games with the Spurs (NBA), Bassey played 11.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 72.5% from the field. He was playing backup center minutes behind Zach Collins this year alongside Sandro Mamukelashvili, but now, opportunities could arise for others to take on that role.

Bassey is under contract for two more years after this one with the Spurs, but neither of his next two seasons are non-guaranteed.

The 23-year-old center was a nice big-bodied presence next to Victor Wembanyama, as the Spurs prefer to play the rookie sensation at the power forward position.

It seems unlikely that the Spurs bring anyone else in to fill Bassey’s spot, as he signed a four-year with the team not too long ago, and they seem to like him as a piece on their roster.

Instead, expect guys like Mamukelashvili and Dominick Barlow to step into bigger roles behind Collins, who has been solid for the Spurs at the center spot this summer.

Bassey will now begin the rehabilitation process, likely in hopes of making his return to action by next season.

Meanwhile, the Spurs will now have to deal with his injury amid their 17-game losing streak.

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Top 3 performers from San Antonio Spurs loss to Indiana Pacers

Here are the top three statistical performers from the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Indiana Pacers.

As is the case with most young teams, there are going to be some nights where everything falls short. For the San Antonio Spurs, that was Monday night. They dropped their game against the Indiana Pacers, getting absolutely blasted by a score of 152-111. Fresh off two straight wins over the Phoenix Suns and a close loss to the Toronto Raptors, they were completely outmatched.

The Pacers’ offense has the ability to fill things up, but the Spurs’ defense needs to be better. And considering how young the team is, they will undoubtedly take this game as a learning opportunity moving forward.

All that said, let’s take a look at the three best statistical performances from the Spurs’ loss to the Pacers.

Former Sixers big man Charles Bassey makes history off the bench for Spurs

Former Philadelphia 76ers big man Charles Bassey made some history off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs in their win.

The Philadelphia 76ers had to make a tough decision after the preseason when they had to make a few cuts to get the roster down to 15. They moved on from young players Isaiah Joe and Charles Bassey as Philadelphia had to make tough moves.

While Joe landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bassey landed with the San Antonio Spurs. The big man initially started off in the G League, but the Spurs called him up and he has played four games for San Antonio thus far.

In those four games, Bassey is averaging 6.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 15.5 minutes per game. He made some history on Friday as he had five points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in 18:13 off the bench.

He is only the second player in NBA history to have 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists in less than 20 minutes and he is the first player to do so off the bench. Bassey reacted to the feat on Saturday.

The Sixers had to make tough choices and it came down to keeping either Bassey or Paul Reed, but at this point, it does look like the Sixers should have given Bassey more of a chance to prove himself on their roster.

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Doc Rivers reacts to former Sixers big man Charles Bassey joining Spurs

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers reacts to former big man Charles Bassey joining the San Antonio Spurs.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers made tough decisions to trim the roster to the league’s opening day limit. Among other decisions, the Sixers cut Charles Bassey after one season with the team.

The young big man out of Western Kentucky showed a great deal of athleticism and rim protection as he averaged 3.6 blocks per 36 minutes as a rookie. There was a lot to like about Bassey and his game out on the floor.

Now, Bassey has joined the San Antonio Spurs on a two-way deal. The Spurs are a rebuilding team that features a bunch of youngsters, so it’s a great opportunity for him to grow as a player.

“I think it’s a perfect place for him,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I think Charles has a future. Just like I do with Isaiah (Joe). He just has to keep working.”

Bassey should flourish under coach Gregg Popovich and the system he has built in San Antonio. They have promising young talent and the second-year big man should add to that talent.

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Former Sixers big man Charles Bassey joins Spurs on a two-way deal

Former Philadelphia 76ers big man Charles Bassey will join the San Antonio Spurs on a two-way deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers had to make difficult decisions after the preseason and cut two young players to trim their roster. Coach Doc Rivers was fond of the two young players who he believes have a great deal of NBA potential.

While Isaiah Joe landed rather quickly with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a multiyear deal, it took Charles Bassey time to find a new home.

However, that is no longer the case. Bassey will sign with the San Antonio Spurs on a two-way deal. The big man averaged 3 points and 2.7 rebounds in his rookie season, and he averaged 3.6 blocks per 36 minutes so the potential is there.

Considering the Spurs are a rebuilding team, it should offer a chance for Bassey to get the necessary court time and grow as a player to be a part of their future.

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Doc Rivers reacts to Sixers releasing young Isaiah Joe, Charles Bassey

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers reacts to the team releasing young players Isaiah Joe and Charles Bassey.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers had to make a few moves on Thursday to begin trimming their roster after the preseason.

The Sixers released young players Isaiah Joe and Charles Bassey. Both were second-round picks. Joe was in Philadelphia for two seasons and Bassey, one.

As the team returned to practice on Friday, coach Doc Rivers reacted to the team moving on from the two youngsters. He said Joe was part of a logjam at the wing positions.

“Tough one for me just personally because I really like the kid and I really believe he’s an NBA player,” said Rivers of Joe. “He was just caught behind so many guys. That was very difficult. So we had a long talk.”

As for Bassey, there were two other big men on the roster behind Joel Embiid: Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed. The Sixers decided to move on from Bassey.

“Charles, I believe is an NBA player, too,” Rivers added. “He’s got a long way to go, but he can get there. So we released two guys yesterday (Thursday) who I believe someday will be an NBA player and hopefully play well.”

Rivers laid out some expectations for Bassey as the young big man continues his career.

“Just being a force,” he explained. “Be more dominating, shot blocker, running the floor, rebounder. His offense will come, but while that process is happening, he had to be dominant in the other areas.”

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Report: Sixers release big man Charles Bassey after preseason action

The Philadelphia 76ers have released big man Charles Bassey with the preseason schedule wrapped up.

The Philadelphia 76ers have wrapped up the preseason and are getting ready for the season opener against the Boston Celtics on the road on Tuesday. That means difficult roster decisions must be made to get the roster down to the NBA limit of 15.

After he played in only one preseason game, the Sixers have released Charles Bassey. Bassey was on a non-guaranteed contract that wouldn’t become guaranteed until Jan. 10.

The big man from Western Kentucky averaged 3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 games in his rookie season, and he helped the Delaware Blue Coats reach the G League finals in 2022.

Bassey, unfortunately, was part of a logjam at center as explained by coach Doc Rivers. The Sixers were focused on Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed behind Joel Embiid. Bassey was the odd man out in this situation.

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Doc Rivers explains why Isaiah Joe, Charles Bassey didn’t play vs. Hornets

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers explains why Isaiah Joe and Charles Bassey did not play in the preseason finale with the Charlotte Hornets.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the deeper teams in the NBA, and they have a lot of proven guys that will be looking to help the team win a championship in the 2022-23 season. Therefore, it makes it tougher for younger players to crack the rotation.

Isaiah Joe is entering his third season and Charles Bassey his second season. Both are looking to earn a role in the league. Joe has been knocking down the 3-pointer in the exhibition schedule, but he did not play in Wednesday’s preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets.

“It’s just a lot of guards,” coach Doc Rivers explained. “Furk (Korkmaz) didn’t play in the first half. Shake (Milton) didn’t play in the first half. Matisse (Thybulle) didn’t play in the first half. So, there are a lot of guards on the team, and you just gotta keep working and waiting your turn.”

Bassey also did not play against the Hornets, and he played in only one game during the preseason schedule. The Sixers have a logjam at center behind Joel Embiid. Philadelphia has Montrezl Harrell, Paul Reed and Michael Foster Jr.

“It’s a result of the logjam,” Rivers said of Bassey not playing. “We had to get our guys minutes. Michael needed to play some minutes. We know what Charles — we needed Michael to play some, too.”

It will be interesting to see what the Sixers decide to do with Joe and Bassey. Joe’s contract does not become guaranteed until opening night and Bassey’s doesn’t become guaranteed until Jan. 10, so there will be a lot of eyes on those two as Philadelphia has to make roster decisions very soon.

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Sixers veteran big man Montrezl Harrell listed day-to-day with rib injury

Philadelphia 76ers backup center Montrezl Harrell is day-to-day with an intercostal strain.

The Philadelphia 76ers may be short a player when they battle the Cleveland Cavaliers in preseason action on Monday night.

According to The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, reserve center Montrezl Harrell might be unavailable. The big man missed Sunday’s practice with a right intercostal strain. He is considered day-to-day.

Harrell has been as advertised through two preseason games. He’s bullied his way to the rim for baskets in the paint, bumping less physically solid defenders out of his way. He has also flashed the occasional quick post move or second effort for baskets off his own or teammates’ misses.

Intercostal injuries occur between the ribs. So, it’s not surprising Harrell could sustain such an injury given his physical style of play. It’s also understandable how sustaining one could cause irritation to that area if the bulldozer types play through it.

Should Harrell miss one or both of the remaining preseason games, it might serve as a last opportunity for backup big man Charles Bassey to earn a roster spot before the final cut. But, we’ll get a better idea of whether that has any chance of happening on Monday night.

Monday’s game between Philadelphia and Cleveland will tip off at 7 p.m. EDT. Fans can catch the action on NBA TV.

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Player grades: Tyrese Maxey shines as Sixers knock off Nets in preseason

Tyrese Maxey has a big night as the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the Brooklyn Nets in the preseason opener on Monday.

NEW YORK–The Philadelphia 76ers opened up the preseason action on Monday when they hit the road to take on the Brooklyn Nets. Training camp was over and it was time to hit the hardwood against somebody other than themselves.

The Sixers were down Joel Embiid, James Harden, and PJ Tucker in this one to manage their load while Danuel House Jr. was out due to a stiff neck, but they had Tyrese Maxey who was terrific in his 14 minutes of action. The young man out of Kentucky had 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting and he knocked down all six free throws with two triples as Philadelphia took the game by a score of 127-108.

Paul Reed had 10 points and five rebounds, Furkan Korkmaz had 15 points and four assists, Tobias Harris had nine points in 16 minutes, and Montrezl Harrell had 10 points and five rebounds before fouling out in 12 minutes. Isaiah Joe had nine points and Georges Niang had eight off the bench as well while Julian Champagnie had 15 points.

Here are the player grades following the win: