Tag: G League

How top G League Ignite players have performed in the NBA

HoopsHype breaks down how players like Jonathan Kuminga, Scoot Henderson and Jalen Green of the G League Ignite have done in the NBA.

With the news that the NBA is shutting down the G League Ignite program, we thought it would be a good time to look at just how successful the initiative was in getting players ready for the next level.

The G League Ignite program had no trouble signing top prospects, but how exactly those prospects have done since getting to the NBA is another topic entirely.

Did going the G League Ignite route help those players get to the next level, or set them up for immediate NBA success? That matter is up for debate, as you will see below.

Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue

Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Thursday that they have assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue. This comes a couple of days after initially being recalled.

During his brief stint, Dieng logged in practice time with the Thunder in their recent three-day break.

This has been a common occurrence for the 20-year-old through his first two seasons in the NBA. Dieng has been mostly outside of the rotation this season, so getting him on the Blue has given him a chance to get consistent playing time.

In 28 games with the Blue, Dieng averaged 16.5 points on 45.4% shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He’s shot 29.3% from 3 on 5.3 attempts.

In 30 games with the Thunder, Dieng averaged four points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He’s shot 30.3% from 3 on 2.2 attempts.

Dieng was drafted with the No. 11 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

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DJ Steward: ‘If I was in college right now, I could probably be dominating’

DJ Steward, a former five-star recruit and a rising star for the Maine Celtics, the G League affiliate of Boston Celtics, has been on a tear recently averaging 27.2 points and 6.2 assists in his last eight games with a 7-1 record. Steward could have …

DJ Steward, a former five-star recruit and a rising star for the Maine Celtics, the G League affiliate of Boston Celtics, has been on a tear recently averaging 27.2 points and 6.2 assists in his last eight games with a 7-1 record. Steward could have stayed in school and would be a senior for Duke Blue Devils, however, he decided to forgo his college eligibility so he could develop in the G League. After an impressive summer league performance with the Philadelphia 76ers, he received a training camp deal with Boston, which landed him in Maine.

Steward sat down with HoopsHype to chat about his experience at Duke, his journey in the G League, and how he has developed his game while navigating through the challenges of adjusting to professional basketball at such a young age.

Thunder’s Ousmane Dieng recalled from G League’s OKC Blue

Thunder’s Ousmane Dieng recalled from G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday they had recalled second-year forward Ousmane Dieng from the G League’s OKC Blue. This comes a week after he was assigned to the Blue.

This has been a common occurrence for the 20-year-old through his first two seasons in the NBA. Dieng has been mostly outside of the rotation this season, so getting him on the Blue has given him a chance to get consistent playing time.

In 28 games with the Blue, Dieng averaged 16.5 points on 45.4% shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He’s shot 29.3% from 3 on 5.3 attempts.

In 30 games with the Thunder, Dieng averaged four points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He’s shot 30.3% from 3 on 2.2 attempts.

Dieng was drafted with the No. 11 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

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Recap: OKC Blue collect sixth straight victory in 126-116 win over Memphis Hustle

Recap: OKC Blue collects sixth straight victory in 126-116 win over Memphis Hustle.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected their sixth straight victory in a 126-116 win over the Memphis Hustle on Sunday. The road win completed a mini-two-game sweep over Memphis. The Blue (17-12) also won Friday’s matchup.

After the first quarter, the Blue faced a 34-30 deficit. A 42-point second frame by OKC helped it enter halftime leading 72-62. The Blue added to their lead with a 32-16 scoring advantage in the third quarter.

The Blue entered the final frame with a 104-78 advantage. The Hustle utilized a 38-point fourth quarter to close to as little as 10 points, but the 26-point hole it had to start the final frame was too big to overcome.

The Blue shot 55% from the field and went 14-of-42 (33.3%) from 3. They dished 34 assists on 50 baskets. Eight of the nine Blue players who played scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Hustle shot 46% from the field and went 17-of-34 (50%) from 3. They had 25 assists on 40 baskets. Six Hustle players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 1-of-6 from 3, 11 assists, nine rebounds
  • Olivier Sarr: 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, 13 rebounds, four blocks, three steals
  • Adam Flagler: 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 3-of-10 from 3, two assists, two rebounds
  • Hunter Maldonado: 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals
  • Adonis Arms: 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 5-of-8 from 3, nine rebounds, five assists
  • Loudon Love: 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, six rebounds
  • Timmy Allen: 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3, four assists, two rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 10-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue extend win streak to five with 107-90 win over Memphis Hustle

Recap: OKC Blue extends win streak to five with 107-90 win over Memphis Hustle.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a 107-90 win over the host Memphis Hustle on Friday.

The Blue (16-12) held a 34-20 lead following the first quarter. They scored 27 points in the second frame and entered halftime with a 61-44 advantage. Both teams scored 19 points in the third quarter.

OKC entered the final frame holding an 80-63 lead. Each team scored 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Blue led by as many as 30 points.

The Blue shot 45% from the field and went 13-of-40 (32.5%) from 3. They dished 24 assists on 43 baskets. Five Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Hustle was limited to 33% shooting from the field and went 11-of-45 (24.4%) from 3. They had 18 assists on 33 baskets. Four Hustle players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, 4-of-6 from 3, 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, two steals
  • Olivier Sarr: 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, 16 rebounds, three blocks
  • Keyontae Johnson: 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, eight rebounds
  • Hunter Maldonado: 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, five assists
  • Adonis Arms: 22 points on 7-of-22 shooting, 3-of-11 from 3, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks
  • Michael Devoe: 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting, 1-of-6 from 3, six rebounds, four assists
  • Davon Reed: 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, eight rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s 17-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue sweep mini-series with 125-108 win over Iowa Wolves

Recap: OKC Blue sweep mini-series with 125-108 win over Iowa Wolves.

The G League’s OKC Blue completed the mini-sweep with their 125-108 win over the host Iowa Wolves on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive win for the Blue (15-12) over the Wolves; they dropped 150 points in their 40-point blowout win on Tuesday.

After a 28-21 deficit in the first quarter, the Blue totaled 43 points in the second quarter to enter halftime with a 64-49 lead. The Wolves cut into their deficit with 29 points in the third frame, and OKC entered the fourth quarter with an 89-78 lead.

Eight straight points by the Blue less than two minutes into the final frame gave them an 18-point advantage. OKC added to its lead in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 23 points.

The Blue shot 53% from the field and went 13-of-32 (40.6%) from 3. They dished out 27 assists on 46 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Wolves shot 44% from the field and went 15-of-41 (36.6%) from 3. They had 29 assists on 38 baskets. All five Wolves starters scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, 1-of-4 from 3, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals
  • Jaden Shackelford: 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 8-of-13 from 3, two assists, two rebounds, two steals
  • Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting, six rebounds, five assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 11 rebounds, three blocks
  • Hunter Maldonado: 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, six assists
  • Daishen Nix: 27 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 8-of-9 on free throws, six rebounds, five assists, four steals
  • Trevor Keels: 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 7-of-13 from 3, five rebounds, four assists
  • Giorgi Bezhanishvili: 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds, five assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 17-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue’s offense unstoppable in 150-110 win over Iowa Wolves

Recap: OKC Blue’s offense unstoppable in 150-110 win over Iowa Wolves.

The G League’s OKC Blue had one of their best offensive outings of all time in a 150-110 win over the Iowa Wolves on Tuesday. The road win improved the Blue’s record to 14-12.

After the first quarter, the Blue held a mundane 27-21. A 49-point second-frame eruption helped OKC enter halftime with a 76-52 lead over Iowa.

The Blue added to its massive scoring night with a 50-point third quarter to enter the final frame holding a 126-79 advantage over the Wolves. OKC scored an additional 24 points in the fourth quarter.

The Blue shot 54% from the field and went 19-of-50 (38%) from 3. They dished 41 assists on 54 baskets. Seven Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Wolves shot 43% from the field and went 17-of-46 (37%) from 3. They tallied 25 assists on 39 baskets. Five Wolves players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, nine rebounds, eight assists
  • Keyontae Johnson: 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, four rebounds, two assists
  • Adam Flagler: 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 8-of-11 from 3, three assists, two steals
  • Olivier Sarr: 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, four blocks, two steals
  • Tyrese Martin: 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3, seven rebounds, four assists
  • Javonte Cooke: 20 points on 7-of-20 shooting, 3-of-10 from 3, five assists, four rebounds
  • Lance Stephenson: 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 2-of-6 from 3, four assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 40-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue

Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday they have assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue. This comes four days after being recalled from his latest stint.

This has been a common occurrence for the 20-year-old through his first two seasons in the NBA. Dieng has been mostly outside of the rotation this season, so getting him on the Blue has given him a chance to get consistent playing time.

In 24 games with the Blue, Dieng averaged 16.2 points on 43.2% shooting, seven rebounds and 4.7 assists. He has shot 28.3% from 3 on 5.3 attempts.

In 30 games with the Thunder, Dieng averaged four points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He’s shot 30.3% from 3 on 2.2 attempts.

Dieng was drafted with the No. 11 pick from the 2022 NBA draft.

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Former King in the Fourth Isaiah Thomas on why he chose the G League for an NBA comeback

“Ultimately I’m just fighting for an opportunity,” said IT.

The Boston Celtics’ former King in the Fourth is back in the NBA ecosystem. There’s much buzz in the league media on how Isaiah Thomas has signed a deal to play for the Utah Jazz’ developmental affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. It is inked for the rest of this season as he gears up for a push to return to an NBA roster for the postseason.

“Ultimately I’m just fighting for an opportunity, I’m just trying to show teams that I’m still able to produce on the court, but I’m also most importantly, I’m able to teach these young guys,” explained the man himself in a recent interview on “FanDuel’s Run It Back” podcast.

As to why he is electing to pursue a comeback via the G League instead of playing overseas, Thomas revealed it was more than a basketball decision.

“Overseas is really dope,” he said. “I see those games, I love the game of basketball. It’s just at this point in my life, with my family and my kids, it’d be really hard to go overseas, unless they were giving out 10-day contracts, and then I could make it happen.”

“I think this is the quickest route to get back in the NBA, and to get on a playoff roster by the end of the season,” IT added.

Fans of the Celtics can’t help but wonder if he might be a good fit for Boston’s 15th roster spot. But even if that unlikely pairing does not come to fruition, we wish him the best in getting back to the league he loves so much.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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