By R.L. Bynum
During an NBA preseason without many outstanding performances from Tar Heels, Cameron Johnson had a memorable conclusion to the exhibition season. The preseason included some big games from Coby White and spotty playing time for rookies.
Johnson scored a point a minute during Brooklyn’s 116–112 home loss Friday to Toronto, scoring 32 points in 32 minutes. He went 11 of 21 from the floor, making 7 of 14 3-point attempts with four rebounds, four assists and one block. He had 30 points by the end of the third quarter.
But the preseason play that Carolina fans probably most enjoyed was his dunk on former Duke player Jared McClain for two of his 11 points in Brooklyn’s 117–95 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The news hasn’t been good for fellow Nets teammate and UNC alum Day’Ron Sharpe, who missed the entire preseason recovering from a hamstring injury.
Danny Green announced on Oct. 10 that he is retiring after 15 seasons and three NBA titles.
After Charlotte waived Leaky Black in the offseason, he signed with Washington, but the Wizards waived him on Oct. 12. Black hadn’t played in either of their first two exhibition games at that point.
White missed two games, the first because of a groin injury, but had games of 21 points (a 116–112 Oct. 8 win at Cleveland), 23 points (a 125–123 Wednesday win vs. Minnesota) and 14 points (in Friday’s 139–137 overtime home win vs. Cleveland) and made 45.5% of his 3-point attempts during the preseason.
After signing him in the offseason, Miami didn’t give Nassir Little much of a chance to show what he can do during the preseason. He played in only one of the Heat’s first four games before scoring 15 points and four 3-pointers with four rebounds and three assists in Friday’s 114–109 win at Memphis.
Of the three rookies, Armando Bacot got the most playing time. He played in four of five Memphis exhibitions, getting double-digit minutes twice: when he had nine points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes of an Oct. 12 win at Chicago and when he had four points, two rebounds and a block Friday in 11 minutes of the Grizzlies’ loss to Miami.
Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan didn’t play (coach’s decision) in their teams’ final two exhibition games. Ingram combined for 24 minutes and 12 points in three San Antonio games. Ryan scored 12 points and two 3-pointers in a 117–89 Oct. 10 win over the New Zealand Breakers, but played only three minutes and scored three points in the only two games against NBA competition.
Ingram isn’t the only new UNC alum playing for the Spurs. San Antonio acquired veteran forward Harrison Barnes from Sacramento in the offseason. Barnes started all five preseason games, with a best effort of 12 points and four rebounds in Thursday’s 129–107 loss at Houston.
Cole Anthony came off the bench in all three Orlando preseason games. His best game was 11 points in a 106–104 loss on Oct. 7 in the preseason opener at New Orleans.
While starting all nine preseason games for Utah, Walker Kessler averaged seven points and nine rebounds.
Pete Nance was scoreless with three rebounds in 10 minutes over two preseason games for Cleveland.
The only openers involving Tar Heels on national television are on TNT Thursday night, with the Spurs playing at Dallas at 7:30 and the Thunder at the Denver at 10 p.m.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 24 | 6–2, 185 | 5th season | $12.9 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Reserve point guard/shooting guard
Statistics last season — 81 games, 11.6 points, 43.5 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 82.6 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Exhibition opener — 106–104 Monday, Oct. 7, loss at New Orleans: 14 minutes, 11 points, 3–8 FG, 0–4 3FG, 5–5 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +7
107–97 Wednesday, Oct. 9, loss at San Antonio — 15 minutes, 5 points, 2–8 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, -9
114–99 Friday win vs. Philadelphia — 8 minutes, 5 points, 1–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 assist, 1 foul, -7
Final preseason statistics — 3 games, 12.7 minutes, 7.0 points, 31.6 FG%, 18.2 3P%, 100 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, +1.7
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Miami
Armando Bacot, Memphis Grizzlies center
Age 24 | 6–11, 240 | rookie season | $1.16 million salary | UNC 2019–24 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Competing for reserve minutes
Statistics last season (UNC) — 37 games, 14.5 points, 54.0 FG%, 4-10 3P, 78.1 FT%, 10.3 rebounds
Exhibition opener — 121–116 Monday, Oct. 7, win at Dallas: Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
119–94 Thursday, Oct. 10, loss vs. Charlotte — 4 minutes, 1 point, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 1 foul, -10
124–121 Saturday, Oct. 12, win at Chicago — 17 minutes, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
120–116 Monday win at Indiana — 6 minutes, 1 point, 0–1 FG, 1–2 FG, -7
114–109 Friday loss vs. Miami — 11 minutes, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, -15
Final preseason statistics — 4 games, 39 minutes, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 7–12 FT, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 turnovers, 1 block, -24
Season opener — 9 p.m. Wednesday at Utah
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 32 | 6–8, 225 | 13th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Julian Champaignie
Statistics last season (Kings) — 82 games, 12.2 points, 47.4 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 80.1 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Exhibition opener — 112–107 Monday, Oct. 7, home loss to Oklahoma City: Started; 20 minutes, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, -1
107–97 Wednesday, Oct. 9, win vs. Orlando — Started; 21 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, -9
126–120 Saturday, Oct. 12, win vs. Utah — Started; 27 minutes, 8 points, 2–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
120–117 Tuesday loss at Miami — Started; 27 minutes, 10 points, 2–7 FG, 2–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, +6
129–107 Thursday loss at Houston — Started; 22 minutes, 12 points, 4–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -8
Final preseason statistics — 5 games, 23.5 minutes, 7.6 points, 36.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 90.9 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assits, 0.2 of a steal, 0.2 of a block, -4
Season opener — 7:30 Thursday at Dallas, TNT
Harrison Ingram, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 21 | 6–7, 230 | rookie season | $578,577 salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Competing for reserve minutes at power forward
Statistics last season (UNC) — 37 games, 12.2 points, 43.0 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Exhibition opener — 112–107 Monday, Oct. 7, home loss to Oklahoma City: 10 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +1
107–97 Wednesday, Oct. 9, win vs. Orlando — 9 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 6 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +7
126–120 Saturday, Oct. 12, win vs. Utah — 5 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -1
120–117 Tuesday loss at Miami — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
129–107 Thursday loss at Houston — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Final preseason statistics — 3 games, 24 minutes, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 4 fouls, +7
Season opener — 7:30 Thursday at Dallas, TNT
Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 28 | 6–8, 210 | 6th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Jalen Wilson
Statistics last season — 58 games, 13.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Exhibition opener — 115–106 Tuesday, Oct. 8, loss at L.A. Clippers: 17 minutes, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls +4
131–92 Monday, Oct. 14, win vs. Washington — Started; 25 minutes, 11 points, 3–9 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, +20
117–95 Wednesday loss at Philadelphia — Started; 28 minutes, 11 points, 4–11 FG, 3–9 3FG, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -8
116–112 Friday loss vs. Toronto — Started; 32 minutes, 32 points, 11–21 FG, 7–14 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -5
Final preseason statistics — 4 games, 25.6 minutes, 14.8 points, 41.7 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 76 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 turnovers, 0.3 of a steal, 0.8 of a block, +1.8
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Atlanta
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 23 | 7–0, 245 | 3rd season | $2.97 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind John Collins
Statistics last season — 64 games, 8.1 points, 65.5 FG%, 21.1 3P%, 60.2 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.4 blocks
Exhibition opener — 116–87 home Friday, Oct. 4, win over New Zealand Breakers: Started; 25 minutes, 8 points, 4–6 FG, 0–4 FT, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +13
122–113 Monday, Oct. 7, home win over Houston — Started; 19 minutes, 6 points, 3–5 FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnovers, 3 fouls, -9
107–102 Thursday, Oct. 10, win at Dallas — Started; 24 minutes, 9 points, 4–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, +19
126–120 Saturday, Oct. 12, loss at San Antonio — Started; 25 minutes, 7 points, 3–4 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, -4
117–114 Tuesday win vs. Sacramento — Started; 28 minutes, 10 points, 4–4 FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +13
124–86 Friday loss at Portland — Started; 12 minutes, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 0–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, -16
Final preseason statistics — 6 games, 22.3 minutes, 7.0 points, 76. FG%, 33.3 FT%, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 0.3 of a steal, 1.8 blocks, +2.7
Season opener — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. Memphis
Nassir Little, Miami Heat wing
Age 24 | 6–6, 220 | 6th season | $2.43 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Competing for reserve minutes
Statistics last season (Suns) — 45 games, 3.4 points, 46.0 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 85.0 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Exhibition opener — 111–108 Tuesday, Oct. 8, loss at Charlotte: Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
101–99 Sunday, Oct. 13, win vs. New Orleans — 15 minutes, 1 point, 0–7 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnovers, 1 foul, -17
120–117 Tuesday win vs San Antonio — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
120–111 Wednesday win vs. Atlanta — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
114–109 Friday win at Memphis — 32 minutes, 15 points, 4–7 FG, 4–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +5
Final preseason statistics — 2 games, 47 minutes, 16 points, 4–14 FG, 4–7 3FG, 4–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 steals, 3 fouls, -12
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Orlando
Pete Nance, Cleveland Cavaliers center
Age 24 | 6–10, 225 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Competing for a roster spot, likely to get G League time
Statistics last season — 8 games, 27 minutes, 3 points, 1–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 2 fouls
Exhibition opener — 116–112 Tuesday, Oct. 8, loss vs. Chicago: Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
129–117 Thursday, Oct. 10, loss vs. Indiana — 5 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +2
108–92 Wednesday loss at Detroit — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
139–137 OT Friday loss at Chicago — 5 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 3 fouls, -2
Final preseason statistics — 2 games, 10 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Final exhibition — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
Cormac Ryan, Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Age 25 | 6–5, 195 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Competing for reserve minutes; like to get G League minutes
Statistics last season (UNC) — 36 games, 11.5 points, 38.2 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 87.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Exhibition opener — 112–107 Monday, Oct. 7, win at San Antonio: 1 minute, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 assist, +2
122–113 OT Wednesday, Oct. 9, loss vs. Houston — 2 minutes, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, -2
117–89 Thursday, Oct. 10, win vs. New Zealand Breakers — 28 minutes, 12 points, 5–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, +14
124–94 Tuesday win at Denver — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
104–99 Thursday win vs. Atlanta — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Final preseason statistics — 2 games, 30 minutes, 15 points, 3–11 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, +12
Season opener — 10 p.m. Thursday at Denver, TNT
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 22 | 6–9, 265 | 4th season | $3.8 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Statistics last season — 61 games, 6.8 points, 57.1 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 51.0 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Missed every preseason game and is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday at Atlanta
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 24 | 6–5, 195 | 6th season | $12 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Statistics last season — 79 games, 19.1 points, 44.7 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 83.8 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Exhibition opener — 116–112 Tuesday, Oct. 8, win at Cleveland: 25 minutes, 21 points, 7–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, -7
124–121 Saturday, Oct. 12, loss vs. Memphis — Missed game with a groin issue
111–107 Monday loss at Milwaukee — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
125–123 Wednesday win vs. Minnesota — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 6–9 FG, 5–7 3FG, 6–6 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +10
139–137 Friday OT win vs. Cleveland — Started; 31 minutes, 14 points, 5–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 2 fouls, +9
Final preseason statistics — 3 games, 28.9 minutes, 19.3 points, 47.4 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.7 turnovers, 0.7 of a steal, +4
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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