By R.L. Bynum
After breaking the North Carolina school double-double career record with 87, what else would you expect Armando Bacot to do in his professional debut?
Bacot, wearing a 00 jersey, produced an impressive double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds Saturday night while going 3 of 9 from 3-point range with five assists and two steals in his first G League game.
Bacot’s Memphis Hustle lost 103–97 at Rio Grande after starting the game with a 9–0 run. The Hustle, which plays its home games in the Memphis suburb of Southaven, Miss., play their first home game Monday at 8 p.m. against Mexico City.
Harrison Ingram, Leaky Black, Pete Nance, Nassir Little and Sterling Manley also had impressive G League openers this weekend.
Bacot, Black, Nance and Little each got waived before the season and signed to the G League affiliates of the teams that let them go: the Memphis Grizzlies for Bacot, the Washington Wizards for Black, the Cleveland Cavaliers for Nance and the Miami Heat for Little. The Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ affiliate, picked Manley in the G League draft and signed him.
Ingram, who played seven scoreless minutes for the San Antonio Spurs last week, collected 21 points, three 3-pointers, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in the Austin Spurs’ 128–117 Friday win at Osceola. Those teams play again at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Black had 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal Friday night in the Capital City Go-Go’s 104–95 home loss to College Park.
Pete Nance scored 17 points and had three rebounds and two assists in the Cleveland Charge’s 120–83 Saturday home win over the Indiana Mad Ants.
Little had nine points, eight rebounds and six assists in the Sioux Falls Skyforce’s 121–118 overtime Saturday loss at Iowa.
Manley had 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a block in the Rip City Remix’s 122–107 Friday loss at San Diego.
Cormac Ryan, waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then signed to a G League contract by the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s affiliate, plays his opener at noon Tuesday at Texas.
In NBA action Saturday, Coby White contributed 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals in the Chicago Bulls’ 125–113 victory at Atlanta. On Thursday, he had 21 points, four 3-pointers and eight assists in the Bulls’ 135–119 home loss to Minnesota.
Harrison Barnes had five points, two rebounds and two assists in San Antonio’s 111–110 Saturday loss to Utah, which got seven points and five rebounds from Walker Kessler.
Cole Anthony continued to struggle with Orlando in limited playing time, with two points, six rebounds and two assists in the Magic’s 115–88 Friday home loss to New Orleans. He is averaging 3.4 points per game.
Cameron Johnson scored 23 points and four 3-pointers while pulling down five rebounds in Brooklyn’s 105–100 Saturday loss at Cleveland.
Cole Anthony, Phoenix Suns guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 31–22, 7th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win with Milwaukee vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Hasn’t been added to the active Phoenix roster
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday vs. Dallas
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 52 games, 10.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 36–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 116–106 win vs. Oklahoma City —Didn’t start; 29:33, 9 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Thursday: 135–123 win at Dallas — Started; 34:23, 19 points (most points since scoring 20 on Dec. 23 against Oklahoma City), 5–7 FG, 5–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
Saturday: 138–125 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 22:03, 9 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -12
Next game — 10:30 Tuesday at Los Angeles Lakers, NBATV
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 13–40, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expired; could return to Pacers later
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 29 games, 11.8 points, 46.9 FG%, 43.4 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 34–19, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: 136–120 win at Chicago — Started; 27:15, 14 points, 6–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +21
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Cleveland
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 44 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.1 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 25–28, 10th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Friday: 135–115 win vs. Memphis — Not active for game
Saturday: 122–115 win vs. Memphis — Didn’t start; 27:14, 17 points 7–18 FG, 3–11 3FG, 1 rebound, season-high 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -3
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Philadelphia
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 20 games, 5.0 points, 59.7 FG%, 51.4 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 21–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 27:14, season-high 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win vs. New Orleans — 18:49; 16 points, 6–9 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, +4
Friday: 105–99 win vs. Indiana — 18:01, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -4
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Orlando, Peacock
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 40 games, 6.0 points, 43.1 FG%, 29.3 3FG%, 89.4 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 18:59, 6 points, 3–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 22:28, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, +24
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Chicago
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 49 games, 8.3 points, 61.7 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.3 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 13:10, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -6
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 19:38, 19 points, 9–11 FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 fouls, +26
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Chicago
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 25–28, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss with Chicago at Milwaukee — Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Detroit
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 10.7 points, 46.5 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 68.30 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Wednesday: 124–111 loss vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 33 minutes, 17 points 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -6
Friday: 115–114 win vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 39 minutes, 2 points, 1–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +0
Saturday: 122–116 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — Started; 37 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -10
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Greensboro Swarm, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 31 games, 19.5 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 87.1 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Wednesday: 124–111 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Friday: 115–114 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 20 points, 6–17 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, 1 block, -8
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Diego Clippers, ESPN+
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 23 games, 14.7 points, 46.9 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: 104–95 win vs. Texas Legends — Started; 37 minutes, 8 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 5 turnovers, +16
Saturday: 112–111 loss at Rio Grande Valley Vipers — Started; 33 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Iowa Wolves
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 49.3 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 91.1 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: 105–103 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Started; 30 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Saturday: 99–94 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Inactive for game
Next game — 7:30 Monday vs. Birmingham Squadron, Prime Video
Photo via @MemphisHustle
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