By R.L. Bynum
Several former UNC players are putting up career-high numbers heading into the home stretch of the NBA season coming out of the All-Star break, during which Armando Bacot’s team won the G League Up Next event.
Bacot’s Team Braxton won the championship of the four-team event in San Francisco that featured 10-minute games. His team won 36–32 in the first round, with Bacot — wearing Carolina blue Air Jordans — hitting a 3-pointer and a 30–26 victory in the championship game.
“It was a ton of fun being here,” Bacot told The Commercial Appeal of Memphis. “It’s a different venue than what we’ve played in, but to be able to play in front of all these different fans at the All-Star event, it was a ton of fun.”
Bacot is nearly averaging a double-double for the G League’s Memphis Hustle with 15 points and 9.3 rebounds in 32 games, shooting 44.6% from the floor, 31.8% from 3-point range and 74.3% at the free-throw line. The Hustle is 12th in the Western Conference at 15–19.
Putting up career-high field-goal percentage numbers are San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes (50.2%), Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson (48.8%), and Utah’s Walker Kessler (71.8%). The most impressive is Barnes, considering he is a 13-year veteran.
Cole Anthony has mostly come off the Orlando Magic bench the last couple of seasons, but has started every game he’s played (he missed two because of illness) since Jalen Suggs suffered a quad injury on Jan. 3.
Three of Anthony’s six games this season with at least 20 points have come during that stretch for the Magic, which is seventh in the Eastern Conference at 27–19. He’s averaging 9.2 points a game, but is shooting a career-low from 3-point range (32.5%) and at the free-throw line (78.6%).
He scored 26 points in a loss at Golden State on Feb. 3.
Brooklyn’s season hasn’t gone well, as it is 12th in the Eastern Conference at 20–34, but Johnson’s has been consistently good, other than missing six games with a right ankle sprain.
Johnson is averaging 19.1 points while making 41.3% of his 3-point attempts, 89.4% of his free-throw attempts, and averaging 4.2 rebounds.
That proficiency from outside the arc earned him a spot in the 3 Point Contest during All-Star weekend on Saturday, but he totaled only 14 points and didn’t advance past the first round.
“Just know this is the first of many,” Johnson said in a video posted on social media. “I’ll be back.”
Day’Ron Sharpe, Nic Claxton’s backup at center for Brooklyn, is averaging career-highs of 8.2 points and 1.6 assists while shooting a career-high 77.4% from the free-throw line and pulling down 6.2 rebounds per game.
Sharpe’s best game was 16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and a 20.3 game score on Jan. 6 against Indiana.
Barnes’ first season in San Antonio hasn’t gone well record-wise, with the Spurs 12th in the Western Conference at 23–29. But, in addition to shooting a career-high percentage from the floor, Barnes is shooting a career-high 41.8% from 3-point range while making 89.7% of his free throws and pulling down 4.2 rebounds per game.
He scored seven 3-pointers and 21 points on Feb. 8 in a loss at Orlando.
Harrison Ingram has only played 11 minutes over two games for San Antonio but has averaged nearly a double-double with 10.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in the G League for the Austin Spurs.
In addition to his career-high field-goal percentage, Kessler — in his third NBA season — has career-high averages in scoring (11.3 points), rebounding (11.8) and assists (1.5) while averaging 2.4 blocks. He’s started all 42 games he’s played for the 13–41 Utah Jazz, 14th in the Western Conference.
It’s been a rough season for the Chicago Bulls, who are 22–33 and 10th in the Eastern Conference, but Coby White has put up solid numbers in his sixth NBA season.
White has started all 48 games he’s played, playing mostly small forward. He’s averaging 18.2 points and 4.5 assists while making 42.7% of his shots, 37.1% of 3-point attempts and 89.4% of his free-throw attempts.
White collected 27 points and seven 3-pointers in a loss on Feb. 8 at Golden State.
The Bulls, who traded Zach LaVine to Sacramento in a multi-team deal on Feb. 2, are on pace to qualify for the Play-in Tournament for a third consecutive season.
In addition to Bacot and Ingram, five other former Tar Heels are in the G League.
In his second professional season, Leaky Black is shooting career-highs of 48.6% from the floor, 35.6% from 3-point range and 70.6% at the free-throw line, averaging 6.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 27 games. His Capital City Go-Go team is fourth in the Eastern Division at 20–14.
Nassir Little has led the Sioux Falls Skyforce to a 22–12 record, second in the Western Conference. He’s averaging 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while making 48.9% of his field goal attempts, 35% of his 3-point attempts and 81% of his free-throw attempts.
In 21 games, Sterling Manley has averaged 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 62.2% from the floor for the Rip City Remix, which is 10th in the Western Conference at 18–14.
Pete Nance started his season with the Cleveland Charge. After the Cavaliers released him, he signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia and played eight games for Delaware. He re-signed with Cleveland after the 76ers released him and is back with the Charge.
In 18 games, he’s averaging 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocks. The Charge is 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15–19.
Cormac Ryan is averaging 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Oklahoma City Blue in 23 games. The Blue is third in the Western Conference at 21–13.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday at home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Next exhibition — 8:30 Saturday at Golden State
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason opener — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (Thursday at home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Saturday at Phoenix, ESPN2
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1-1 3P
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | didn’t start: 12:00, 6 points, 3–7 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, two fouls, +1
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason opener — Jazz 109, Nuggets 97 (Sunday) | started: 15:20, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, -7
Tuesday’s exhibition — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 | started: 15:20, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +6
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Preseason opener — Lakers 127, Kings 103 (Monday on road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Tuesday — Warriors 124, Lakers 98 (road) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason opener — Sixers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday on road) | didn’t start: 23:33, 15 points, 4–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, +18
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Saturday at Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season— 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
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:42, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, -4
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 12:35, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | didn’t start: 12:32, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, team-high +20
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Timberwolves 116, Bucks 97 (Monday) | didn’t play
Wednesday’s exhibition — Bucks 128, Thunder 126 | didn’t start: 11:12, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +9
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Sunday at Charlotte
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason opener — Nets 124, Hornets 90 (Tuesday on road) | started: 17:56, 8 points, 4–9 FG, 0–2 3FG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +19
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason opener — Bulls 124, Suns 117 (Wednesday) | started: 29:06, team-high 15 points, 6–16 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, -3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Memphis, NBATV (Sunday’s 9 p.m. game at Denver is on ESPN)
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo via @MemphisHustle
