By R.L. Bynum
Cameron Johnson — the subject of trade rumors — and Coby White are putting up the best numbers heading into the Christmas break of the six former UNC players on NBA rosters, while Cole Anthony had a monster game last weekend. Armando Bacot, Pete Nance and Nassir Little stand out among the seven former Tar Heels in the G League.
Harrison Barnes is the only one of the 13 not on Christmas break and off until at least Thursday. Barns’ San Antonio Spurs lost at New York on Christmas Day 117–114.
Nance is the only player who has changed teams. After eight games with their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers waived him, and he signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia on Dec. 2.
Nance, averaging 16.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists, has played the last four games with the 76ers’ G League team, the Delaware Blue Coats (9–7; 4th in the East Division).
He scored season-highs of 29 points and five 3-pointers on Nov. 10 against Indiana.
While White’s numbers may look decent — 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 35.8% from 3-point range — many consider his season with the Chicago Bulls (13–17, 9th in Eastern Conference) a letdown after last season (19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 37.6% 3-point shooting).
In the last nine games, he’s 20 of 72 from outside the arc, including 4 of 11 when he scored 10 points in Monday’s 112–91 home loss to Milwaukee.
“I get cold, but I ain’t never got cold like this for as many games as it’s been,” said White, a career 36.6% shooter. “There’s ups and downs in the season. It will all even out. I ain’t worried about it.”
White’s best game was Oct. 25 against Milwaukee with 35 points, seven 3-pointers, four steals and a 31.7 game score.
While Johnson is putting up good numbers — 19.1 points, 42.3% 3-point shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists — it hasn’t translated to success for the Brooklyn Nets (11–18, 11th in Eastern Conference).
But Johnson, who The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie ranks as the third-best player on the trade market, could be on the move. NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that Oklahoma City is interested in acquiring the sixth-year player.
Johnson, who scored 19 points and three 3-pointers in the Nets’ 110–95 Monday loss at Miami, had his best game Nov. 22 in a 113–98 loss at Philadelphia, with 37 points and a career-high-tying nine 3-pointers.
His Nets teammate Day’Ron Sharpe missed the first 20 games with a left hamstring strain. Averaging 7.4 points and 5.5 rebounds in eight games, he’s ranked 15th on Vecenie’s list of top players on the trade market. Sharpe’s best game was Dec. 16 against Cleveland, with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
Although Orlando (19–12) is fourth in the Eastern Conference and playing well, Anthony’s season has been frustrating. He’s played off the bench in every game, with limited minutes many nights. He’s played fewer than 10 minutes in 12 of his 28 games.
That changed Saturday in a 121–114 home win over Miami, with guards Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris out with injuries. Anthony took advantage of playing 28 minutes, breaking loose for 35 points and a 31.1 game score, both season-highs. Anthony scored 27 second-half points (13 in the fourth quarter) to lead Orlando to a rally from a 25-point deficit.
His previous highs were 16 points (twice) and a 12.6 game score (twice).
With Suggs back Monday against Boston, Anthony only played 17 minutes and finished with 10 points in Orlando’s 108–104 loss.
Barnes has started all 30 games for San Antonio (15–15, 11th in the Western Conference), but the scoring has dropped off in the first season with the Spurs for the 13-year veteran.
Monday’s 111–106 loss at Philadelphia marked his first scoreless game (0 of 5 from the floor, all 3-point attempts) since April 4 last season for Sacramento against the New York Knicks. Wednesday, he had three points on 1 of 3 shooting in 17 minutes.
Barnes’ 10.6 scoring average is his lowest since the 2014–15 season (10.1), but his 41.2% shooting from 3-point range is a career-best (42 of 102). His best game was 25 points, four 3-pointers and 10 rebounds on Nov. 21 against Utah.
Apart from a Nov. 6 game for San Antonio against Houston (0 points, 0 of 1 from the floor, 1 rebound), rookie Harrison Ingram played every other game with the Austin Spurs (10–6; second in the South Division), the team’s G League affiliate.
On a two-way contract, Ingram is averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 36.2% from the floor and 29.9% from 3-point range in 16 games. His best efforts were 22 points on Nov. 22 at Birmingham, 13 rebounds twice, eight assists on Nov. 26 against Birmingham and four 3-pointers against Oklahoma City.
Walker Kessler, in his third season in Utah, is averaging 10.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, all career-highs. However, the Jazz are 7–21 (14th in the Western Conference). He scored 18 points on Nov. 2 at Denver, 17 rebounds on Dec. 7 at Portland, five assists on Nov. 27 against Denver and has blocked five shots four times.
(Editor’s note: Although Kessler transferred to Auburn, these updates are for all former UNC players. While some don’t consider him a Tar Heel, he played one season for Carolina, so he’s included.)
It was a bit of a surprise when Miami assigned Little to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, its G League affiliate, but he’s played well there in his first season in that league. He’s averaging 16.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 46% from the floor and 29.3% from 3-point range.
Little’s best game was 25 points on Dec. 1 at Motor City.
Bacot, one of the subjects of “The Break” docuseries, is nearly averaging a double-double with 13.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Memphis Hustle (6–19; 5th in the South Division).
Bacot, who had 13 points and nine rebounds in Sunday’s 122–120 loss to Salt Lake City, had season-highs of 25 points on Dec. 11 at Mexico City and 17 rebounds on Nov. 9 at Rio Grande. He’s dished out six assists twice, got three steals three times and scored four 3-pointers on Nov. 17 at Texas.
Cormac Ryan is shooting 35.4% from 3-point range and averaging 11.5 points for the Oklahoma City Blue, which leads the South Division at 12–4, the second-best record in the league.
Ryan’s best game was at Rio Grande on Nov. 30, when he scored 25 points and five 3-pointers while getting three steals. Against Rio Grande on Dec. 2, he had six rebounds and five assists.
Sterling Manley is averaging 8.6 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Rip City Remix (5–11; 6th in the West Division), the affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers. His season-highs are 18 points on Dec. 8 against Santa Cruz and nine rebounds on Nov. 25 against Valley.
In his first season in the Washington Wizards organization, Leaky Black is averaging 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals for the Capital City Go-Go (11–5; 2nd in the East Division). His best game came Nov. 13 against Greensboro, where he played 25 games last season for the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate, with 14 points and three blocks. He’s pulled down nine rebounds twice and scored three 3-pointers on Nov. 24 at Maine.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 19–29, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans
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 — 49 games, 10.5 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 111–99 win at Houston —Started; 28:46, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +1
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Sunday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Started; 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +10
Next game — 9:30 Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City, ESPN
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: 13–38, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline
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 — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 33–18, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
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 — 43 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 23–28, 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
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis
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 — 18 games, 4.3 points, 58.2 FG%, 48.3 3P%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 19–29, 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
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. New Orleans
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 — 38 games, 6.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–36, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando
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 — 47 games, 8.2 points, 61.0 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–36, 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
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Orlando
Coby White, Chicago Bulls 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: 24–27, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 loss 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
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at Toronto, Prime Video
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 — 29 games, 10.8 points, 46.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 26 games, 5.3 points, 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 68.4 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 of a block
Wednesday: 115–97 win vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Friday: 124–111 loss at Noblesville Boom and Sunday: 125–109 loss at Noblesville Boom— Inactive for all three games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Go-Go
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 29 games, 19.3 points, 44.6 FG%, 40.9 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 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
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Capital City Go-Go, 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 — 21 games, 14.6 points, 47.4 FG%, 29.6 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 11.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings — Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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