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.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 24 | 6–2, 185 | 5th season | $12.9 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard/shooting guard
Season statistics — 51 games, 13 starts, 9.2 points, 42.5 FG%, 32.5 3P% (career-low), 78.6 FT% (career-low), 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 of a steal
Season-highs — 35 points, 8 rebounds (also at Charlotte Nov. 25), 31.1 game score Dec. 21 vs. Miami; 3 3-pointers five times; 11 assists Jan. 3 at Toronto; 3 steals Oct. 25 vs. Brooklyn
Record — 27–29; 7th in Eastern Conference
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at Atlanta
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 Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 52 games, 52 starts, 11.9 points, 50.2 FG% (career-high), 41.8 3P% (career-high), 80.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Season-highs — 25 points, 10 rebounds Nov. 21 vs. Utah; 7 3-pointers Feb. 8 at Orlando; 7 assists Jan. 29 vs. Los Angeles Clippers; 24.3 game score Nov. 23 vs. Golden State
Record — 23–29; 12th in Western Conference
Next game — 9:30 Thursday vs. Phoenix, 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 Trendon Watford
Season statistics — 39 games, 39 starts, 19.1 points, 48.8 FG% (career-high), 41.3 3P%, 89.4 FT% (career-high), 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 of a steal, 0.5 of a block
Season-highs — 37 points, 9 3-pointers Nov. 22 at Philadelphia; 10 rebounds, 6 assists (also Nov. 27 at Phoenix), 31.1 game score Dec. 19 at Toronto;
Record — 20–34; 12th in Eastern Conference
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. Cleveland
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 23 | 7–0, 245 | 3rd season | $2.97 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kyle Filipowski
Season statistics — 42 games, 42 starts; 11.3 points (career-high), 71.8 FG% (career-high), 55.4 FT%, 11.8 rebounds (career-high), 1.5 assists (career-high), 2.4 blocks; missed Thursday’s game with a left thumb sprain
Season-highs — 21 points Jan. 7 vs. Atlanta; 26.3 game score Nov. 30 vs. Dallas; 22 rebounds Feb. 7 at Phoenix; 5 assists Nov. 27 vs. Denver and Jan. 1 at New York; 6 blocks Feb. 12 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Record — 13–41; 14th in Western Conference
Next game — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. Sacramento
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 — 32 games, 0 starts, 8.2 points (career-high), 52.2 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 77.4 FT% (career-high), 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists (career-high), 0.6 of a block; missed first 20 games with a left hamstring strain
Season-highs — 16 points, 5 assists, 20.3 game score Jan. 6 vs. Indiana; 14 rebounds Jan. 15 at Los Angeles Clippers; 3 steals Dec. 16 vs. Cleveland, Jan. 27 vs. Sacramento; 13.2 game score Dec. 16 vs. Cleveland; 3 blocks Jan. 4 vs. Houston
Record — 20–34; 12th in Eastern Conference
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. Cleveland
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 24 | 6–5, 195 | 6th season | $12 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting small forward
Season statistics — 48 games, 48 starts, 18.2 points, 42.7 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 89.4 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Season-highs — 35 points, 4 steals (also 2 other times), 31.7 game score Oct. 25 at Milwaukee; 9 3-pointers Jan. 4 vs. New York; 10 rebounds Dec. 30 at Charlotte; 9 assists four times
Record — 22–33; 10th in Eastern Conference
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at New York
Tar Heels in G League
Armando Bacot, Memphis Hustle center
Age 24 | 6–11, 240 | rookie season | UNC 2019–24 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 15.0 points, 44.6 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 74.3 FT%, 9.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season-highs — 35 points Feb. 12 vs. Mexico City; 17 rebounds Nov. 9 vs. Rio Grande; 6 assists twice; 4 steals at Delaware on Jan. 12; 3 blocks Jan. 24 vs. Sioux Falls; 6 3-pointers vs. Rip City on Jan. 15
Record — 15–19; 12th in Western Conference
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Rio Grande, ESPN+
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go guard
Age 25 | 6–6, 209 | 2nd season | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.7 points, 48.6 FG% (career-high), 35.6 3P% (career-high), 70.6 FT% (career-high), 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 of a block
Season-highs — 14 points, 3 blocks Nov. 13 at Greensboro, Jan. 23 at Osceola; 10 rebounds Feb. 8 vs. Oklahoma City; 4 assists, 3 3-pointers Nov. 24 at Maine; 4 steals Jan. 26 at Wisconsin
Record — 20–14; 4th in East Division
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Wisconsin, ESPN+
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 21 | 6–7, 230 | rookie season | $578,577 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
NBA season statistics with San Antonio — 2 games, 11 minutes, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3PFG, 2 rebound, 1 foul
G League season statistics — 35 games, 10.9 points, 37.8 FG%, 29.1 3P%, 57.9 FT%, 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals
Season-highs — 22 points, 4 3-pointers (also 4 other times) Nov. 22 at Birmingham, Jan. 4 at Raptors 905; 16 rebounds vs. Rio Grande Jan. 20; 8 assists Nov. 26 vs. Birmingham; twice, last Nov. 15 vs. Texas; 8 assists Nov. 26 vs. Birmingham; 4 3-pointers Dec. 15 vs. Oklahoma City
Record — 20–14; 7th in Western Conference
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Mexico City, ESPN+
Nassir Little, Sioux Falls Skyforce forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 220 | 6th season | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Season statistic — 36 games, 17.0 points, 48.9 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.1 blocks
Season-highs — 29 points, 5 3-pointers Jan. 27 at Mexico City; 10 rebounds 3 times; 6 assists twice; 3 steals five times; 3 blocks 3 times
Record — 22–12; 2nd in Western Conference
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. Iowa, ESPN+
Sterling Manley, Rip City Remix center
Age 25 | 6–11, 250 | Rookie season | UNC 2017–21 (3 season2)
Season statistics — 21 games, 9.2 points, 62.2 FG%, 64.5 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 0.6 of a block
Season-highs — 18 points Dec. 8 vs. Santa Cruz, Jan. 6 vs. Stockton; 9 rebounds Nov. 25 vs. Valley, Jan. 22 vs. Utah; 3 blocks Jan. 1 vs. San Diego
Record — 18–14; 10th in Western Conference
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday at South Bay, ESPN+
Pete Nance, Cleveland Charge center
Age 24 | 6–10, 225 | 2nd season | 2-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Began season with Cleveland Charge; signed two-way contract with Philadelphia Dec. 3 (played 8 games for Delaware and was released); re-signed with Charge
Season statistics — 18 games, 15.5 points, 47.8 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 69.0 FT%, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 of a steal, 1.5 blocks
Season-highs — 29 points, 5 3-pointers Nov. 10 vs. Indiana; 11 rebounds twice, last Nov. 24 at Motor City; 6 assists Dec. 20 at Santa Cruz; 3 steals Nov. 30 vs. Grand Rapids, Feb. 2 vs. Osceola; 4 blocks Nov. 14 at Sioux City
Record — 15–19; 11th in East Conference
Next game — 4 p.m. Saturday vs. Birmingham, Tubi
Cormac Ryan, Oklahoma City Blue guard
Age 25 | 6–5, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 23 games, 11.5 points, 42.6 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 40.6 3P%; 97.4 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Season-highs — 25 points, 5 3-pointers, 3 steals Nov. 30 at Rio Grande; 7 rebounds twice; 5 assists twice
Record — 21–13; third place in Western Conference
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday at Santa Cruz, Tubi
Photo via @MemphisHustle
tarheeltribune.com 