Tag: trae young

Pair of former Oklahoma Sooners included in ESPN’s Top 100 NBA Players

Oklahoma saw two former players make the Top 100 players rankings in the NBA, according to ESPN.

With the 2024-2025 NBA season beginning later this month, ESPN took on the annual challenge of ranking the league’s top 100 players coming into the year.

While the Oklahoma Sooners don’t have very many players currently in the league (a total of four on active rosters at this time), OU did see two players make ESPN’s list.

In a bit of a surprise, Los Angeles Lakers guard [autotag]Austin Reaves[/autotag] made the rankings, checking in at No. 71 on the list. The former undrafted free agent enters he fourth season with the Lakers. He was actually ranked all the way up at No. 66 on this list last year.

Coming off an arduous summer playing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, Reaves took some time to find his groove last season after bursting onto the scene in the 2023 playoffs. His slight slip in NBA Rank mirrors his shooting efficiency from Year 2 (52.9% from the field and 39.8% from 3) to Year 3 (48.6%/36.7%) and L.A.’s abbreviated postseason run after being ousted in the first round, but it fails to recognize Reaves’ improvement as a playmaker and credit him for playing all 82 games. He should be back on the climb after this season. – Dave McMenamin, ESPN

Atlanta Hawks guard [autotag]Trae Young[/autotag] dropped ten spots from his No. 27 ranking last season, landing at No. 37 on this list. He’s been a Hawk for his entire professional career, and has become the team’s franchise player. He enters Year 7 of his NBA career.

Young appearing in only 54 games last season was concerning enough, but Atlanta winning only 22 of those games was even more troubling. His averages of 25.7 points and 10.8 assists sparkle on the stat sheet — marking the second straight season he averaged 25 and 10 — but his relatively pedestrian shooting numbers (43% overall and 37.3% from 3) dulls that shine just a bit. With Dejounte Murray now in New Orleans, Young should get the ball in his hands more. How well Young vibes with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher will impact his future ranking. – McMenamin, ESPN

Both Reaves and Young played for the great [autotag]Lon Kruger[/autotag] during his excellent tenure in Norman. Young was one of the best players in college basketball during his one season at that level, while Reaves helped the Sooners to their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance and victory, all the way back in 2021.

2024-25 Atlanta Hawks: A quick preview

Despite the skepticism surrounding them, the Atlanta Hawks are shaping up to be one a potentially underrated team in the NBA this season. While many see their decision to trade Dejounte Murray as a sign of a rebuild, the reality is that the Hawks …

Despite the skepticism surrounding them, the Atlanta Hawks are shaping up to be one a potentially underrated team in the NBA this season. While many see their decision to trade Dejounte Murray as a sign of a rebuild, the reality is that the Hawks have taken a more strategic approach to roster-building. Trae Young, who is often over-criticized, remains the centerpiece of the team, and with Quin Snyder – considered one of the league’s top coaches – at the helm, the Hawks have the potential to exceed expectations.

Snyder’s coaching has already brought improvements, and as he enters his second full season, he’s poised to continue developing the young talent on the roster. Players like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu are expected to take on larger roles, and the team added Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick and Dyson Daniels, both of whom bring versatility and two-way potential. Okongwu may even step into the starting lineup with Clint Capela in the final year of his contract, signaling a possible transition to a younger core.

However, despite the talent and Snyder’s leadership, the Hawks face tough competition in a stacked Eastern Conference. With several teams ahead of them in the pecking order, expecting more than a play-in spot this season may be a stretch. The development of their young players will be crucial to their future success, but for now, Atlanta’s best bet might be aiming for a play-in berth as they continue to build for the long term.

76ers’ Paul George names Nets’ Nic Claxton as dynamic NBA big man

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton is considered a dynamic NBA big man by Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George that could unlock Trae Young.

The Brooklyn Nets are moving forward with their plan to rebuild around some of their younger players as they try to find their next group impact players in the NBA Draft. One of the players that Brooklyn has invest almost nine figures in this summer is being recognized for his ability to contribute on the floor.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George recently had Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young on “Podcast P with Paul George” and one of the topics discussed was how the Hawks could build around Young heading into the future. In the clip posted below, George mentions that what unlocks Young’s game is having a dynamic big man and the first name that comes out of his mouth is Nets center Nic Claxton.

“I think what unlocks your game so much is having a dynamic big… say you had like a Nic Claxton,” George said. While dynamic could have different meanings in terms of describing a basketball player, it seems that in this context, George means dynamic in terms of athleticism when he refers to Claxton.

“Dynamic roller, locks up, controls the paint, great screen-setter, you can just play shooters around you at that point,” George continued. To be clear, this conversation isn’t good George or Young suggesting that a trade happens so that Claxton and Young can play together, but it is notable that George’s first player that would be a good fit with Young is Claxton.

Heading into the upcoming 2024-25 season, Claxton will be coming in with some heightened expectations now that he is getting paid like the dynamic big man that George and others have dubbed him to be at this point of his career. Earlier this summer, the Nets re-signed Claxton to a four-year, $97 million contract, ranking him as the 12th highest-paid center in the NBA as of this writing.

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Hawks’ Trae Young offers candid assessment of 2024 NBA draft class

Young, speaking with Paul George, doesn’t believe there are very many franchise cornerstones in the most recent NBA draft.

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 NBA draft, the conversation centered on how there was no clear choice for the No. 1 overall pick and how it may lack future star power.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young agrees with that notion.

Young appeared on “Podcast P” with Paul George this week and discussed various topics, including the incoming rookie class. The former top-five pick surmised that many players drafted may not develop into franchise cornerstones.

To be honest with you, and no disrespect to the guys that got drafted, from the (outside) looking in – and some guys may surprise us – a lot of us look at them as role players coming in anyway. The last three No. 1 picks, you got Victor (Wembanyama), you got like Ant Edwards, you got some big-time names. None of these guys – whether it’s Reed (Sheppard), who’s going to be a hell of an NBA player, or Alex (Sarr), who didn’t play well in summer league, but who’s going to be a hell of NBA player – but a lot of these guys could be just role players.

The Hawks were awarded the top pick in the draft and selected Zaccharie Risacher, who last played with JL Bourg in France. Young revealed that he welcomed Risacher to the team shortly after the draft, though he hasn’t been in the gym with him yet.

Sarr, who was also in contention at No. 1, went to the Washington Wizards with the second pick, and Sheppard was selected third by the Houston Rockets. Young previously gave Sheppard a shout-out on X, formerly Twitter, after excelling in summer league.

The class, overall, had a productive showing last month on the court, though it is far too early to determine how the group will ultimately pan out in the long run. However, it is clear the players will have to prove themselves to their peers starting next season and beyond.

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Trae Young doubles down on praise of Houston’s Reed Sheppard

Hawks guard Trae Young, a three-time NBA All-Star, tells Paul George that Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard will be “a hell of an NBA player.”

Trae Young, a three-time All-Star with the Atlanta Hawks, openly admired Rockets guard Reed Sheppard during the Houston rookie’s sensational debut at the NBA’s 2024 summer league.

Now, nearly a month later, Young is doubling down on that praise in a new episode of “Podcast P” (presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment and hosted by longtime NBA superstar Paul George).

Here’s what Young said while commenting on the league’s 2024 rookie class, as captured by Chris Gorman:

Reed [Sheppard]… is gonna be a hell of an NBA player.

Young’s full comments on this year’s rookie class can be read here, and the complete George-Young podcast can be viewed below.

As for Sheppard, the No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 first round, he averaged a team-high 20.0 points (50.0% shooting), 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals in four summer-league games.

In his 2024-25 rookie season, Sheppard will compete for minutes in Houston’s backcourt behind incumbent starters Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. Other reserve options for those minutes are likely to include Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Aaron Holiday.

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Report: Trae Young, Josh Giddey had interest in joining the San Antonio Spurs via trade

Both of course ended up with other fates in store for them.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young and former Oklahoma City wing Josh Giddey had interest in joining the San Antonio Spurs earlier this offseason via trade, according to recent reports. According to a recent article by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, both Young and Giddey had spent some time thinking about changing their team to a Texas-based one.

Per Fischer, “Trae Young — who had the Spurs on his wishlist of next teams, … if (he) had moved this summer —  (and) Josh Giddey … also held an interest in joining San Antonio,” though the former ultimately ended up staying with the Hawks, who moved former Spur Dejounte Murray instead.

Giddey, too, ended up elsewhere ultimately. He was sent to the Chicago Bulls in a deal that still ended up drawing in the Spurs to pick up veteran forward Harrison Barnes from the Sacramento Kings on the cheap instead in a multi-team deal.

And while Chris Paul may not be the Spurs’ floor general of the future, he will be a great bridge to it — and perhaps that point guard is already on the roster anyway in rookie Stephon Castle.

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Oklahoma lands commitment from point guard Jeremiah Fears

Porter Moser landed four-star point guard Jeremiah Fears, who will join the 2024-2025 Sooners.

After missing the [autotag]NCAA Tournament[/autotag] each of the past three years, the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team will be under a great deal of pressure when the 2024-2025 season rolls around. Head coach [autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag] knows this after failing to make the tourney in each of his first three seasons at OU. He’s trying to ensure that his team has enough talent to take a step forward into the postseason next year.

Moser and the Sooners got a big boost in the form of high school recruiting on Saturday, as they landed four-star point guard [autotag]Jeremiah Fears[/autotag] out of Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona.

Fears is the second-highest-rated recruit that Oklahoma has added in the modern era. In-state prospect [autotag]Trae Young[/autotag] is the only higher-ranked player to commit to the Sooners.

Fears decommitted from Illinois on July 1, opening the door for the OU staff to swoop in a make their big move. Fears took to social media to announce that he’ll be coming to Norman.

In addition, the four-star will be reclassifying to the 2024 class, meaning he’ll join the team this upcoming season.

The pledge of Fears is a big get for Porter Moser, whose seat is a bit warm heading into this winter. He’s the highest-rated recruit Moser has signed since coming to Norman, and he gives the team a scorer at the lead guard spot. While the Trae Young comparisons are probably a bit too lofty, it can’t be understated that Saturday’s commitment was huge for the program, and for its head coach.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

Former Sooner Alondes Williams throws down monster dunk in Summer League

Williams spent two seasons in Norman before transferring to Wake Forest.

Former Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball player [autotag]Alondes Williams[/autotag] is making quite the impression on the NBA this summer.

The former OU guard is taking part in the NBA2K Summer League as a member of the Miami Heat. He threw down perhaps the dunk of the summer in Las Vegas on Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

10/10, no notes.

Williams played two seasons for the Sooners from 2019 to 2021. He was a member of the last OU men’s basketball team to win a game in the [autotag]NCAA tournament,[/autotag] as Oklahoma made it to the second round in 2021, [autotag]Lon Kruger[/autotag]’s final season.

The combo guard transferred to Wake Forest for his final season of college basketball before going undrafted in 2022. He signed with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Miami Heat. Plays like that could help him catch on in the league.

Williams is trying to become the fourth active Sooner in the NBA after [autotag]Blake Griffin[/autotag]’s retirement earlier this year. [autotag]Buddy Hield[/autotag] (Warriors), [autotag]Trae Young[/autotag] (Hawks) and [autotag]Austin Reaves[/autotag] (Lakers) are the other three.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

Reed Sheppard focused on growth, teammates with summer Rockets

“Keep getting in the gym and keep building relationships with your teammates,” Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard says of his summer-league priorities.

Two games into the NBA’s 2024 summer league in Las Vegas, Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard is already showing why he’s a vital piece of Houston’s new formula for returning to the postseason.

At the moment, Sheppard is averaging 22.5 points per game, which ties 2023 summer-league MVP Cam Whitmore for Houston’s lead.

In that case, he can not only help the team reach its short-term goal of winning a summer-league title, but he may also give head coach Ime Udoka a better feel for where he fits in the rotation.

Sheppard, the Rockets’ No. 3 overall selection in this year’s draft, is taking it all in — one day at a time. He knows that the process will take time, so as of now, he is just taking it slowly and getting acclimated to playing against the NBA-level competition.

“At the end of the day, it’s basketball,” Sheppard said after helping his team improve to 2-0 by defeating Washington. “You get to go and play the game you love with really good players and teammates, and I am super pumped to get out there and play the game I love.”

One promising sign is the chemistry that Sheppard and Whitmore have established. Throughout Sunday’s game, the former Kentucky standout found Whitmore slashing to the basket for multiple dunks that brought the crowd to their feet. That included regular-season teammates Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, seated baseline.

“It’s very exciting playing with Reed,” Whitmore told reporters after the 18-point victory. “He can do everything, even on the defensive end. Even though he is not the tallest, he still has skills; he can get in the gaps and can get in the passing lane. He can finish, play-make, he can shoot. He can do everything on the floor.”

The rookie’s performance is not going unnoticed on social media, with esteemed NBA veterans like Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies among those acknowledging Sheppard’s game on their social media platforms. Even with that type of attention, Sheppard remains focused on improving.

“Keep getting in the gym and keep building relationships with your teammates,” Sheppard said when asked about that praise. “Just stick to yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else or anyone.”

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Trae Young, Ja Morant impressed by summer brilliance of Rockets’ Reed Sheppard

Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Hawks star Trae Young are among those taking notice of Reed Sheppard’s brilliant summer play for the Rockets.

Through two NBA summer-league games, rookie guard Reed Sheppard has been sensational for the Houston Rockets.

After being drafted at No. 3 in the 2024 first round in June, Sheppard is currently averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks in 31.0 minutes per game — all while shooting better than 55% from the field and 45% on 3-pointers.

Most importantly, the numbers have contributed to winning for the Rockets, who are 2-0 with a pair of dominant 18-point victories.

Beyond earning praise from media members and fans, Sheppard also appears to be turning heads from players within the league.

Trae Young and Ja Morant — recent All-Star guards with the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively — addressed Sheppard’s play with social media posts on X during Sunday’s game.

Young posted: “Reed Sheppard nice, y’all!”

Morant then quoted Young’s post with multiple exclamation points.

Complete highlights of Sheppard’s latest showing are available below. As for the summer Rockets, they will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face the Detroit Pistons on Monday afternoon.

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