Tag: Micah Potter

Former Wisconsin forward describes playing on USA Basketball team with LeBron James

Former Wisconsin forward describes playing for USA Basketball with LeBron James

Former Wisconsin basketball forward Micah Potter shared what it was like to play alongside LeBron James in a recent interview with college basketball analyst Brian Butch.

In June, Potter was selected to practice against the 2024 USA Men’s National Team as a member of the 2024 USA Select Team. He, alongside fellow Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis, played an integral role in preparing legends including James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid for their Olympic run.

Potter actually saw minutes in multiple exhibition games in July and scored multiple three-point field goals.

On top of that, one of his most memorable experiences came from watching James, a four-time NBA champion and 20-time NBA All-Star, operate on the hardwood.

Here’s Potter on LeBron:

“The level of practice was crazy. One of the cooler things was LeBron. Arguably one of the greatest players of all time. Him being 39, just seeing his  mental capability on the floor, his IQ, his communication, his effort and his attention to detail from the get-go. We could be walking through stuff, and he’s the loudest on the floor. That was really, really cool to see, just his level of expertise with everything.”

Potter and Hayes-Davis joined former NBA journeyman Langston Galloway as practice players during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada, Abu Dhabi, UAE and London, England.

The former Badger forward currently plays for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G-League.

LOOK: Former Badgers practice with USA Men’s National Team in Abu Dhabi, UAE

LOOK: Former Badgers practice with USA Men’s National Team in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter have wrapped up their stint in Abu Dhabi, UAE with the USA Men’s Basketball Team prior to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The team will now venture to London, England for an exhibition match against South Sudan on July 20 at 2:00 p.m. central. Hayes-Davis and Potter have been practicing with the team since the team’s training camp commenced in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 6.

Despite seeing minutes in previous exhibition games, the former Badgers are not members of the 12-man Men’s National Team. They, alongside USA Basketball veteran Langston Galloway, are members of the 2024 USA Select Team responsible for helping the Olympic-bound crew ramp up for the upcoming event.

Still, both Hayes-Davis and Potter have been consistently practicing alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis and Devin Booker. Kevin Durant is also a member of this group but is currently sidelined due to injury.

Potter, a Badger from 2019-21, has made two three-pointers in exhibition matches against Canada and Serbia thus far.

He and Hayes-Davis will continue to work on their crafts with prospects of inking an NBA contract. Potter plays for the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, while Hayes-Davis hoops overseas in the Turkish League.

WATCH: Former Wisconsin forward drains 3-pointer for 2024 US Men’s National Team

WATCH: Former Wisconsin forward drains 3-pointer for 2024 U.S. Men’s National Team

Former Wisconsin forward Micah Potter nailed a 3-pointer in the 2024 U.S. Men’s National Team’s exhibition match against Serbia on Wednesday.

The look arrived in a 28-point game with under two minutes to play, and Potter didn’t hesitate before hoisting his shot attempt off a pass from Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.

Potter also scratched the scoresheet in the USA’s first exhibition contest against Canada on July 10. The Mentor, Ohio, native attempted another outside look, but failed to connect from the left wing.

Both Potter and former Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis are traveling with the star-studded 2024 U.S. Men’s National Team during the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase.

As members of the 2024 USA Select Team, both UW alumni served as practice players for the 12-man team to work out against before their trek to France for Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The two are currently working on a return to the NBA. Hayes-Davis has showcased his hardwood abilities abroad as a member of the Turkish Super League, including a 50-point game earlier this year.

Potter, on the other hand, has suited up for the Salt Lake City Stars on a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.

Their contributions to the United States’ 2024 squad will not go unnoticed. Both Hayes-Davis and Potter consistently stayed after each Select Team practice in Las Vegas well after other Hall of Famers left the gym.

LOOK: Wisconsin Badger greats train with USA Basketball, NBA’s biggest stars

LOOK: Wisconsin Badger greats train with USA Basketball, NBA’s biggest stars

Former Wisconsin basketball greats Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter continue to train with the USA Men’s Basketball team as it prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The two are part of the USA Select Team, a group of current and former college basketball stars who serve as USA Basketball’s ‘practice squad’ during its Olympic preparation.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Importantly, they get to train alongside NBA greats including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo.

Both Potter and Hayes-Davis are looking for a permanent role at the NBA level. Potter currently plays for the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, while Hayes-Davis has become a star in the Turkish League. This opportunity should help the two make a possible return to the NBA.

 

The two former Badgers have been on the bench for USA Basketball’s exhibition wins over Canada and Australia. Potter even saw action in the former, hitting a corner three-pointer in the game’s final minutes.

The two will continue to train with the team as the 2024 Olympic Games draw closer.

Next up for USA Basketball is an exhibition contest against Serbia at Noon ET on July 17. Then a few games next week in the United Kingdom before beginning the 2024 Olympic Games on July 28.

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Two former Wisconsin Badgers set to suit up for USA Basketball in exhibition vs. Australia

Two former Wisconsin Badgers set to suit up for USA Basketball in exhibition vs. Australia

Former Wisconsin Badgers Micah Potter and Nigel Hayes-Davis have traveled with USA Basketball and are set to suit up for the team’s exhibition vs. Australia on Monday afternoon.

The Olympic exhibition match is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and will tip off at noon Eastern. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Potter made news, to say the least, during USA Basketball’s recent exhibition win over Canada. The former Badger entered the game for the final minutes and hit a contested three-pointer. That excited Badgers fans, but mostly puzzled every other basketball fan who had no idea who Potter was.

Both Potter and Hayes-Davis are with the national team as members of the USA Select Team — a group of current, former and future college basketball stars that serves as the de-facto practice squad as the national team prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games.

It is surprising to look at photos and see Potter lined up next to Steph Curry. But another blowout exhibition win vs. Australia on Monday could lead to more playing time and more viral moments for either former Badger great.

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Record audience tuned in to watch Micah Potter play for USA Basketball

Record audience tuned in to watch Micah Potter play for USA Basketball

A record audience of 1.162 million viewers tuned in to watch former Wisconsin Badger Micah Potter see game action for USA Basketball earlier this week.

Maybe the entire audience didn’t tune in to see Potter specifically, but instead to watch USA Basketball’s Olympic exhibition match against Canada. Then Potter saw game action to close the contest and even hit a corner three-pointer.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand shared the view count on Thursday afternoon. He also noted that it is the most-watched basketball game in Fox Sports 1 history. The total is more than any college basketball broadcast on the network — which are mostly Big Ten and Big East contests.

USA Basketball defeated Canada 86-72 in the Olympic warm-up on Wednesday. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards led the scoring with 13 points, while Steph Curry, Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis added 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.

Potter joined the scoring with a late three-pointer. He was 1/2 from the field during the contest in only two minutes of action.

Obviously, the record viewership number is mostly thanks to the starpower of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid and others. It is not to watch former Badgers Potter and Nigel Hayes-Davis see action in garbage time.

Unsurprisingly, most fans had no idea who Potter was when he checked in. But at least there was a substantial audience to watch his on-court moment.

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Former Wisconsin Badger Micah Potter hits corner 3 for USA Basketball vs. Canada

Micah Potter subbed in for LeBron James last night..

Former Wisconsin Badger Micah Potter sent social media ablaze Wednesday night when he subbed in for LeBron James during USA Men’s Basketball’s Olympic exhibition game against Canada.

The former Badger promptly made his presence felt, hitting a corner three-pointer.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Potter played for only two minutes in the USA’s 86-72 over Canada. He finished with two field goal attempts and 1/1 from behind the arc.

Both Potter and former Badger great Nigel Hayes-Davis are traveling with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team as it prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The two Wisconsin products are on the USA Select Team, a collection of current and former college basketball players who serve as the national team’s de-facto practice squad.

The two former Badgers are working to return to the NBA level. Potter has spent his professional years in the NBA G League, while Hayes-Davis has turned into a star in the Turkish Super League.

Until that point, more and more will wonder how they ended up on the same court as LeBron James, Steph Curry and other all-time greats.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter were featured in a recent video following a 2024 USA Men’s National Team practice in Las Vegas.

The clips showcased both Hayes-Davis and Potter participating in a half-court set and shooting drill following a practice at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.

Hayes-Davis and Potter participated as members of the 2024 USA Select Team, which also included Jalen Duran, Cooper Flagg, Langston Galloway, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaime Jaquez, Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Brandin Podziemski, Payton Pritchard, Jabari Smith, Jalen Suggs and Amen Thompson.

Despite being named to the squad last month, neither player saw the court during scrimmages over the four-day practice period. Hayes-Davis and Potter did, however, consistently stay in the gymnasium following each practice window to shoot extra or walk through a half court set.

The former Badgers did appear in garbage time of Wednesday’s exhibition scrimmage for the 2024 USA Men.

Hayes-Davis, an Ohio native, recently captured the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko after dropping a Turkish Airlines Euroleague record 50 points earlier in the 2024 season. Prior to action overseas, he made NBA stops in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Toronto.

As a Badger, the small forward was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) and first-team All-Big Ten (2016) during his four seasons in Madison.

Potter, meanwhile, represents the Salt Lake Stars in the NBA G League. The Mentor, Ohio product totaled 11.6 points and 6.1 boards per game for UW from 2019-21.

Two former Wisconsin Badgers included in viral photo at USA Basketball practice

Two former Wisconsin Badgers included in viral photo at USA Basketball practice

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter were part of a viral photo from USA Basketball practice on Tuesday.

They were pictured with the rest of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team along with Vice President Kamala Harris, who was visiting the team’s practice. Also pictured are NBA legends Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and others. Understandably, it led many to wonder how Hayes-Davis and Potter fit into the picture.

Harris’ visit coincided with the final day of the team’s training camp at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center. The vice president first greeted head coach Steve Kerr, then ventured onto the court to greet the 12-man squad and select practice players Potter, Hayes-Davis and Langston Galloway.

As members of the 2024 USA Select Team, Potter and Hayes-Davis served as practice players to play against the Olympic team during their preparation period in Las Vegas, Nevada. Neither Potter nor Hayes saw the court for the Select Team, but each remained on the hardwood after practice to get extra shots up.

That is likely how they were included in the photo next to some of the best basketball players of all time.

Hayes-Davis recently won the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko and dropped a Turkish Airlines Euroleague record 50 points this season. He has made NBA pit stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

During his four-year tenure at UW, the small forward was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) and first-team All-Big Ten (2016).

Potter, meanwhile, represents the Utah Jazz’ G League affiliate, the Salt Lake Stars. He averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 52 games for the Badgers from 2019-21.

Both are looking for an opportunity to stick on an NBA roster.

Two former Wisconsin Badgers make 2024 USA Basketball select team

Two former Wisconsin Badgers make 2024 USA Basketball select team

Former Wisconsin Badgers Micah Potter and Nigel Hayes both made the 2024 USA Basketball select team on Friday.

The full team also includes Jalen Duran, Cooper Flagg, Langston Galloway, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaime Jaquez, Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Brandin Podziemski, Payton Pritchard, Jabari Smith, Jalen Suggs and Amen Thompson.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

This collection of mostly former college basketball stars will train with the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team as it prepares for the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The group specifically consists of 12 current NBA or G League players, two players with NBA, G League, international or USA Basketball experience, plus one incoming college freshman with USA Basketball experience. It will be coached by Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley.

Hayes recently won the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko. His professional basketball journey has included stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, plus time in Turkey, Lithuania and Spain.

Potter, meanwhile, has been in the G League since beginning his professional career in 2021. He currently plays for the Salt Lake Stars — the affiliate of the Utah Jazz.

This selection represents a valuable opportunity for the two former Badger stars as they work toward returning to an NBA court.

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