Tag: Isaiah Wong

Pacers’ Isaiah Wong selected as replacement in G League Up Next Game

Pacers rookie Isaiah Wong has been selected as an injury replacement in the G League Up Next Game during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Indiana Pacers rookie Isaiah Wong has been selected as an injury replacement in the G League Up Next Game during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event features four teams of seven players competing in two semifinal games. The 28 players include 10 selected by a fan vote, while the remaining 18 players were selected by the G League and include members of the Ignite and Indiana Mad Ants as the host team.

Wong, who is signed to a two-way contract, will replace Toronto Raptors rookie Markquis Nowell, who is dealing with a left hamstring strain. He will be teammates with Luka Garza (Wolves), Tyler Smith (Ignite) and Cole Swider (Skyforce).

Wong is averaging 15.8 points, four assists and 3.5 rebounds on 41.4% shooting from the field in 30 games with the Mad Ants. He has produced seven 20-point games, including a career-high 30 points and four assists on Nov. 25.

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ACC players taken in the 2023 NBA draft

Have long-term hopes for any of these players?

It’s no secret that the ACC is in a rough spot right now. Over the past couple of years, the conference’s quality of play has suffered, and the NCAA Tournament selection committee has taken notice, giving the power conference only four at-large bids in each of the past two years.

Now, we’re seeing the lull carry over to the NBA draft. A conference that typically sees one of its own go off the board within the first four picks had to wait until the 12th pick in 2023. In fact, that was the only lottery pick for the conference.

So it stands to reason that there isn’t a lot of hope for this ACC class of incoming NBA players, but stranger things have happened. As we just saw with the champion Denver Nuggets, even a diamond in the rough on draft night can turn into a franchise-altering player. It could happen again with one of these players:

Bulls NBA Draft: Miami’s Isaiah Wong labeled ideal undrafted target

Since the Chicago Bulls don’t have a pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they need to nail undrafted free agency, and Isaiah Wong could be a target.

The Chicago Bulls don’t have a pick in either round of the 2023 NBA Draft. And for a team in desperate need of young talent to help ensure a bright future for the organization, that could end up being a disaster. They are in the middle of the pack in the East and need to find a way to secure a better future.

In turn, nailing undrafted free agency could end up being crucial for the Bulls, and as is the case every season, there should be some diamonds in the rough for them to sniff out. But that’s the hard part. Finding those diamonds.

Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation compiled a list of potential undrafted targets for the Bulls, and one of the names on the list was Miami guard Isaiah Wong.

“Wong has the kind of experience and shotmaking ability that contending teams around the NBA would not mind taking a chance on,” Schuster wrote. “He played four full seasons for the Miami Hurricanes and was an instrumental part of the team making back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and their first-ever Final Four appearance this season.”

That being said, he did mention the possibility that Wong’s role could overlap with what Coby White brings to the table.

“With that said, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what his role would be at the next level,” Schuster wrote. “He’s likely a cerebral sixth-man scorer, and the Bulls may already have that position locked in for the foreseeable future if Coby White gets a new contract. Still, there is just something about Wong – the ACC Player of the Year – that makes you feel comfortable with the ball being in his hand.”

If Wong makes it through the draft without a team, the Bulls could be a squad to watch out for.

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2023 Lakers draft prospect profile: Isaiah Wong

A look at Isaiah Wong, a guard out of the University of Miami.

The Los Angeles Lakers are relatively close to being championship contenders again, but after being swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, it’s clear they still need help to get there.

They will likely need some type of help in the backcourt. There is a real chance either D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves will leave in free agency. While they need help now, as they’re in win-now mode, they also seem to have an eye on the future, as they grew considerably younger after several pre-deadline trades.

One draft prospect they recently worked out is Isaiah Wong, a guard out of the University of Miami.

Brooklyn Nets projected to take Isaiah Wong with 51st overall pick

The Brooklyn Nets are projected to take Miami guard Isaiah Wong with the 51st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to HoopsHype.

The 2023 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away, the Brooklyn Nets have some choices to make for the three picks that they have. For their second-round pick, 51st overall, HoopsHype predicts that the Nets will select Miami guard Isaiah Wong with that selection.

Wong, 22, comes into the draft at 6’3″ and 180 pounds which most likely will slot him in as a lead guard or small off-guard depending on his fit on the team. Wong, native of Piscataway, NJ, leaves the Hurricanes with plenty of accolades under his belt as he was named All-ACC three times in his four seasons as well as being the 2022-23 ACC Player of the Year.

Wong’s best skill is his tough shot-making as he did plenty of that while at the University of Miami. He can make shots from a variety of angles which will be important to do at the next level for any player looking to make an impact on the offensive end. Wong will have to overcome being a small-ish guard, but it seems that he should be able to make an impact for the Nets right away if they decide to take him.

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2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: 58 projections after the early entry withdrawal deadline

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline.

The NBA pre-draft process crossed another important checkpoint on the schedule with the early entry withdrawal deadline coming and going this week.

Prospects had the opportunity to test the waters and meet with teams to gain feedback on their potential draft stock. To maintain their remaining college eligibility, they had to withdraw from consideration by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

The deadline saw several potential second-round picks withdraw from the draft and return to school. With name, image and likeness playing a prevalent role in college basketball, players were likely swayed to stay one more year to work on their games and capitalize financially.

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The 2024 draft is also projected to be weaker than in past years, which also may have played a role in some players opting against turning pro. They likely believe they will have a greater chance of being a first-round pick next year.

With several players off the board, teams can prioritize workouts and interviews with those individuals remaining in the draft. As a result, players’ stock will continue to fluctuate with less than three weeks to go until the draft.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline. Team needs were taken into consideration for these picks.

Potential Sixers undrafted player profiles: Isaiah Wong brings scoring

2023 ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong should be a target for the Philadelphia 76ers if he goes undrafted.

The Philadelphia 76ers do not have a draft pick in the 2023 NBA draft on June 22. They traded their first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that brought James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love at the 2022 deadline, and they were docked second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 by the NBA for tampering.

However, that doesn’t mean the Sixers will or should be inactive around the draft process. There will be a number of talented players who go undrafted, meaning the Sixers should be able to add a young player who could potentially become a rotation player.

One should not brush off undrafted players. The Miami Heat, who are in the NBA Finals, are a prime example of investing in young talent and giving them time to develop. They have seven undrafted players on their roster, four in their rotation.

Miami guard Isaiah Wong is the first player Sixers Wire is profiling as part of the next wave of young talent in the NBA that could end up in Philadelphia.

5 potential undrafted guards Sixers should look into after 2023 NBA draft

Here are five guard who could potentially go undrafted in 2023 that the Philadelphia 76ers should look into.

The Philadelphia 76ers do not have a draft pick in the 2023 NBA draft. They traded away their first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that brought James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love at the 2022 deadline, and they were docked second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 by the NBA for tampering.

However, that doesn’t mean the Sixers will or should be inactive around the draft process. There will be a number of talented players who go undrafted, meaning the Sixers should be able to add a young player who could potentially become a rotation player.

One should not brush off undrafted players. The Miami Heat are a prime example of investing in young talent and giving them time to develop. In the Sixers’ case, here are five guards who could go undrafted but could help in the long run:

NBA draft combine 2023: A complete tracker of player invitations

Rookie Wire took a look at those prospects that have earned invitations to compete in the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp.

The NBA pre-draft process is in full swing as prospects work toward achieving the ultimate goal of hearing their names called by Commissioner Adam Silver on June 22.

Reports are beginning to surface of prospects receiving invitations to compete in the draft combine on May 15-21 in Chicago, Illinois. Each year, teams submit a list of players they would like to see invited, typically those with the highest odds of getting drafted.

The event features 5-on-5 games, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, measurements and other related on-court exercises. Prospects have the opportunity to improve their draft stock in a competitive environment against their peers.

Last year, 76 players were announced as participants in the event.

The G League Elite Camp will take place in Chicago on May 13-14 with players competing in front of NBA and G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives. The top performers will also be invited to perform in the draft combine.

The official list of participants for both events has yet to be unveiled.

Those underclassmen that filed as early entry candidates will also have the chance to interview with teams and gain feedback on their draft positioning. The information will be helpful in forming their decisions on staying in the draft or returning to school before the May 31 deadline.

Rookie Wire took a look at those prospects that have reportedly earned invitations to compete in the combine and G League Elite Camp. The list will be updated as more names emerge.

Last Update: May 14, 11:15 p.m. EDT

ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong declares for 2023 NBA draft

Wong was named the ACC Player of the Year after averaging 16.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals.

Miami guard Isaiah Wong on Monday announced that he will forgo his last year of eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA draft, capping off a decorated four-year career with the Hurricanes.

Wong was named the ACC Player of the Year after averaging 16.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals on 38.4% shooting from the field. He ranked 13th in the country in minutes (1,237) and third in the conference in points (598).

The 6-foot-4 guard leaves the program fourth on the all-time career scoring list (1,866) and just the third player to be recognized as a conference player of the year. His 598 total points ranked ninth-most in a season by a Hurricane.

Wong previously tested the pre-draft process last year before ultimately deciding to return to school. He is currently not projected to be drafted this year, but will likely have the opportunity to showcase himself in the draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

The early entry deadline for the draft is April 23.

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