By R.L. Bynum
All five former Carolina players who NBA teams waived before the regular season started are on the training camp rosters for those teams’ G League affiliates.
On camp rosters after clearing waivers are Armando Bacot (Memphis Hustle), Leaky Black (Capital City Go-Go), Nassir Little (Sioux Falls Skyforce), Pete Nance (Cleveland Charge) and Cormac Ryan (Oklahoma City Blue).
In addition, Harrison Ingram is on the Austin Spurs’ camp roster, and Sterling Manley will play for the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate.
The season for the 31-team developmental league starts on Friday, Nov. 8, with seven games.
Bacot played in four preseason games for the Memphis Grizzlies, collecting 15 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes.
Washington released Black after he didn’t play in the Wizards’ first two preseason games. Last season, Black averaged 7.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 25 games for the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte’s affiliate. In 26 NBA games for the Hornets last season, he averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds.
Ingram didn’t play in the first two San Antonio games after getting four points, nine rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes over three preseason games.
Little only played 47 minutes over two preseason games for Miami, with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Last season in Phoenix, Little averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in limited playing time over 45 games.
Manley, who the Remix picked in the second round as the 46th overall pick in Saturday’s G League draft, has recently played for teams in China and the Dominican Republic after playing three seasons at UNC from 2017–18 to 2020–21.
Nance was scoreless in 10 minutes over two preseason games for Cleveland and had three rebounds. Last season, he played 27 minutes over eight games for the Cavaliers and had three points and three rebounds.
Ryan scored 15 points and three 3-pointers over 30 minutes in two Oklahoma City Thunder preseason games. The Oklahoma City Blue team is the reigning G League champion.
Tar Heels in G League
Armando Bacot, Memphis Hustle center
Age 24 | 6–11, 240 | rookie season | UNC 2019–24 (5 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 37 games, 14.5 points, 54.0 FG%, 4-10 3P, 78.1 FT%, 10.3 rebounds
Final NBA preseason statistics (Memphis Grizzlies) — 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 — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Rio Grande
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go guard
Age 25 | 6–6, 209 | 2nd season | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
NBA statistics last season — 26 games, 2.7 points, 48.1 FG%, 45.0 3FG%, 66.7 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
G League statistics last season — 25 games, 7.1 points, 43.7 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 61.9 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 of a block
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, vs. College Park
Nassir Little, Sioux Falls Skyforce forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 220 | 6th season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
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
Final preseason statistics (Heat) — 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 Saturday, Nov. 9, at Iowa
Sterling Manley, Rip City Remix center
Age 25 | 6–11, 250 | Rookie season | UNC 2017–21 (3 season2)
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 vs. San Diego
Pete Nance, Cleveland Charge center
Age 24 | 6–10, 225 | 2nd season | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
NBA statistics last season (Cavaliers) — 8 games, 27 minutes, 3 points, 1–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 2 fouls
Final NBA preseason statistics (Cavaliers) — 2 games, 10 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 3 fouls
Season opener — Noon Saturday, Nov. 9, vs. Indiana
Cormac Ryan, Oklahoma Blue guard
Age 25 | 6–5, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 36 games, 11.5 points, 38.2 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 87.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Final NBA preseason statistics (Thunder) — 2 games, 30 minutes, 15 points, 3–11
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