Tag: nba g league

Former Buff KJ Simpson flying high in NBA G League

KJ Simpson is working toward a full-time NBA roster spot

Former Colorado men’s basketball point guard KJ Simpson is carving out a place on a pro roster after being drafted No. 42 overall by the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets last summer.

The high-flyer is currently signed on a two-way contract and has bounced back and forth between the Hornets and their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Simpson has shined for Greensboro, averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals in nine games.

On Monday, Simpson scored 34 points in the Swarm’s 112-111 win over the Grand Rapids Gold.

While Simpson has logged more NBA appearances (12), his spot with the Hornets is still reliant on the squad’s health situation and his long-doubted 6-foot frame. In limited action with Charlotte, Simpson is averaging 4.3 points per game. He scored a career-high 11 points against the New York Knicks on Nov. 29 before tallying eight points, six rebounds and nine assists against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 3.

The Los Angeles native was one of three Buffs drafted last year. Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams are seeing consistent rookie minutes with the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz, respectively.

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Wisconsin Badgers legend dominates for Toronto Raptors G League affiliate

Wisconsin Badgers legend dominates for Toronto Raptors G League affiliate

Wisconsin basketball legend Frank Kaminsky dominated in his second appearance with the Toronto Raptors NBA G League affiliate on Saturday.

Representing Raptors 905, Kaminsky logged 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a 112-11 overtime win over the San Diego Clippers. He shot 12-of-19 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep in the one-point victory.

Kaminsky made his Raptors 905 debut on Dec. 19 in a 17-point loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In that game, he tallied six points and five rebounds.

Prior to his stint with Raptors 905, Kaminsky represented USA Basketball at the two-game 2024 AmeriCup Qualifying circuit in Washington, D.C. In his second game representing the red, white and blue, the UW legend scored 14 points, grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds, dished a team-best four assists and tallied a game-high two blocks.

That time with the national team appears to have reignited Kaminsky’s fire to compete at the NBA level. He most recently laced up for the Phoenix Suns training camp roster in late September ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.

In eight NBA seasons, Kaminsky averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 43% shooting and 35% from 3. He appeared in 26 games for the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets in the 2022-23 season.

With the Badgers, the talented 7-footer earned National College Player of the Year nods and was a consensus first-team All-American in 2015. He led Wisconsin to back-to-back Final Four appearances in the best stretch in program history.

At this stage, it appears as if he will look to continue his basketball journey in the G League.

Bronny James selling out his G League debut is his most impressive accomplishment yet

Bronny James is growing the game in the G League!

Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James will play in the G League for the South Bay Lakers, which is the correct decision for all involved.

This is not a punishment but rather the right path for a young player who only recently turned 20 years old and did not have extensive success in the NCAA.

The opportunity to play in the G League is a fantastic chance for a young prospect to develop their game, and it is where most second-round picks with his level of experience begin their professional careers. There is nothing very unusual about a rookie spending time outside of the NBA.

BRONNY JAMES: Sending him to the G League is the right move for the Lakers and for him

What is far more unusual, though, is for a sellout crowd to watch teams play in the G League.

But when the former USC guard makes his debut for South Bay, that is exactly what he will expect as the team announced a capacity attendance with tickets being re-sold for as much as $271 to sit courtside.

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South Bay ranked last in attendance the season before last, drawing an average crowd of 441 fans per game. The venue has a small capacity of less than 1,000 people, for what it is worth, but drawing any interest to the Lakers G League affiliate is no easy task.

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Two Michigan State basketball alums drafted back-to-back in first round of NBA G-League draft

Two former Spartan hoopers were drafted back-to-back in the first round of the G League draft

Two former Michigan State basketball stars have found their homes at the next level, and it came in consecutive action. Tyson Walker and Malik Hall were drafted back-to-back in the first round of the NBA G-League draft, going number seven and eight, respectively.

Tyson Walker is heading to the Texas Legends, the G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, while Malik Hall will go to the Greensboro Swarm, the affilate of the Charlotte Hornets. It’s a fitting landing spot for Hall, who played for the Hornets’ Summer League squad.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Japanese guard Keisei Tominaga to play in G League showcase vs. Mega MIS

Former Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga is among the players who will participate in the 2024 G League Fall Invitational next month.

Former Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga is among the players who will participate in the 2024 G League Fall Invitational next month in Santa Cruz, California.

Tominaga was chosen to represent the United, a team comprised of the top G League prospects, against Mega MIS, a program in the top professional league in Serbia. The two-game exhibition competition will take place Sept. 4-6 at the Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Joining Tominaga on the roster so far are Stockton Kings forward Deonte Burton and Isaiah Wong, who was with the Indiana Pacers last season. The complete roster will be announced at a later date.

Tominaga was named to the All-Big Ten second team last season after averaging 15.1 points and 2.3 rebounds on 37.6% shooting from 3-point range as a fifth-year senior. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 31 points on Feb. 4.

The 6-foot-2 guard is expected to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Pacers after going undrafted this year. He skipped summer league to represent Japan in the 2024 Olympic Games and totaled two points and one steal in eight minutes with the team.

Tominaga and the United will also participate in the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, featuring teams from six countries. The competition will run Sept. 12-15 in Singapore.

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2025 NBA draft prospect Malique Lewis to sign with SE Melbourne in NBL

Malique Lewis, who played in the G League last season, will reportedly sign with the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL.

Malique Lewis, who played in the G League last season, will reportedly sign with the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Lewis, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, averaged 8.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks on 35.1% shooting from 3-point range in 50 games with Mexico City Capitanes. He produced three 20-point games, including a season-high 23 points on Dec. 3.

The 19-year-old will now join the Phoenix as part of the Next Stars program, a plan introduced by the NBL to give top prospects a way to play professionally. The program has helped the likes of Alex Sarr, AJ Johnson, LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey, among others.

Lewis tested the predraft process this year and competed in the G League Elite Camp in May in Chicago, Illinois. He averaged seven points, four rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two scrimmage games and recorded a 34-inch max vertical.

The 6-foot-8 forward eventually withdrew from the draft to improve his stock ahead of next year. He is the fifth player to join the Next Stars program, joining the likes of Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats) and Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings).

Lewis will have the opportunity to compete in one of the top leagues in the world and improve his overall skill set on the court. He will look to prove himself as a potential draft pick next year.

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Dink Pate to play for Mexico City Capitanes after Ignite shutdown

Former five-star prospect Dink Pate, who played with the Ignite this year, will join Mexico City Capitanes for next season.

Former five-star prospect Dink Pate, who last played with the G League Ignite, will join Mexico City Capitanes for the 2024-25 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Pate signed with the Ignite in April 2023, becoming the youngest American-born professional basketball player in history. He signed a two-year contract with the team because, at 17 years old, he wouldn’t be draft-eligible until 2025.

The 6-foot-8 guard was forced to find a new team for next season after the NBA opted to shut down the Ignite amid the “changing basketball landscape.” He will now play with Capitanes, who joined the G League in the 2021-22 season.

Pate missed the start of last season due to a foot injury. He was eventually cleared and debuted on Dec. 28, logging four minutes in a loss to Rio Grande Valley. He averaged eight points, 3.8 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31 appearances.

Prior to joining the Ignite, Pate reclassified to the class of 2023 and graduated early from L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, Texas. He was named the 2022-23 District 13-4A Most Valuable Player after averaging 20.3 points per game. He was also on the all-state team.

He was heavily recruited at the collegiate level, receiving over 30 offers from Division I programs. He ultimately chose to sign with the Ignite over  Alabama, Arkansas, Memphis and UCF, among others.

Pate is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

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Ignite standout Ron Holland II selected with fifth pick in NBA draft by Pistons

With the fifth overall pick in the draft, the Pistons selected forward Ron Holland II from the G League Ignite.

With the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons selected forward Ron Holland II, who last played with the Ignite in the NBA G League.

Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals on 45.5% shooting from the field. He set the Ignite single-season record for steals (69), 30-point games (4) and 20-point games (16) while finishing second in points (565).

The 6-foot-4 standout established himself as a versatile player who can score, defend at a high level and get others involved. He possesses the physical tools and athleticism to pave the way for a smooth transition to the next level with the Pistons.

The Pistons had the fifth pick for the third consecutive year after selecting Jaden Ivey in 2022 and Ausar Thompson in 2023. He is the first player from the Ignite selected this year, with others like Matas Buzelis and Tyler Smith likely to follow in the first round.

Holland was limited to 29 games last season after sustaining a ruptured tendon in his right thumb. He was cleared to resume full basketball activities early in the predraft process and worked out and interviewed with at least eight teams.

The 18-year-old was projected to be a lottery pick given his potential and overall skill set. He looked to be settling in with the Ignite before the injury, resulting in some strong performances.

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Report: Spanish forward Izan Almansa to withdraw from 2024 NBA draft

Izan Almansa will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and explore his professional options for next season.

Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 forward from Spain, will withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft and explore his professional options for next season, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Almansa averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 54.3% shooting from the field with the G League Ignite. He registered five games with at least 20 points, including a season-high 23 points and five rebounds on Jan. 2.

He had until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday to withdraw from the draft.

The 19-year-old competed in the draft combine last month in Chicago, Illinois. He was considered a potential second-round pick, given his ability as a defender and prior professional experience before signing with the Ignite last year.

Almansa began playing professional basketball at 16 years old with the Real Madrid junior team in the Liga EBA. He then spent one year each with Team OTE and YNG Dreamerz at Overtime Elite before signing with the Ignite in June 2023.

He has also represented Spain several times at the junior level, earning Most Valuable Player at the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship and 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He averaged 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds last year.

Almansa will now look to play with another team next season and establish himself as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He will need to improve his offensive skill set and shooting ability and has shown promise to reach that potential.

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Ron Holland II believes he should be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

Holland entered the season projected to be the No. 1 pick and the 18-year-old believes that is still the case.

Ron Holland II entered the season widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and the 18-year-old from the G League Ignite still believes that assessment.

Holland averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals on 45.5% shooting from the field. He set the Ignite single-season record for steals (69), 30-point games (4) and 20-point games (16) while finishing second in points (565).

The 6-foot-4 forward established himself as a versatile player who can score, defend at a high level and get others involved. He possesses the physical tools and athleticism to pave the way for a smooth transition to the next level.

Holland, speaking Tuesday at the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois, believes it is some of those qualities that make him a prime candidate to be the first player off the board on June 26.

I think, before (the start of this season), I was considered to go top-five (or) top-10 in this draft class and I feel like nothing really has changed. My mentality hasn’t changed. I was able to prove that with the Ignite. Prior to all of the losing that we did, I feel like every night I showed up and was able to either dominate or, if I had a bad game, there were spurts in that bad game to where I was able to show why I should be No. 1.

The former consensus five-star prospect saw his stock slip a bit over the course of the season, dropping to the mid-to-late lottery range. He dealt with turnover issues, committing three per game, and struggled with his shooting after converting 24% from 3-point range.

He was also limited to 29 games after undergoing season-ending surgery in February to repair a ruptured tendon in his right thumb. However, he is now considered fully healthy and is expected to fully participate in the predraft process.

Holland will attempt to convince teams in interviews and workouts why he should be one of the first players drafted. He believes he is the most versatile prospect in the draft class and has several attributes that make him highly coveted.

I would say my energy, for sure. That is one thing about me people always talk about: The way I just light up a dark room and walk into a gym and people know that I’m in there. I’m always bringing joy to the court. I think my willingness to win, my competitiveness. I’m always trying to win anything competitive, whether it is free throws, shooting, running or conditioning. … If I’m competing, I know for a fact that it is going to make others compete, and now we’re all getting better.

He may not ultimately be the top pick in the draft, but Holland projects to have a bright future ahead at the next level. He was once viewed as one of the top recruits out of high school and will soon have the chance to prove himself against his peers.

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