By R.L. Bynum
RJ Davis didn’t make the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, but showed in his spectacular first two League games that he deserves a chance.
Davis had the typical all-around outstanding game that Tar Heels fans saw on so many nights during his five-year UNC career in Saturday’s opener. Davis collected 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks while making all three of his free-throw attempts in the South Bay Lakers’ 144–104 home victory over the Valley Suns.
In Sunday’s 123–113 win over Valley, Davis had 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists, 2 steals and a block.
Davis said playing for the Lakers’ Summer League team and in five NBA preseason games helped prepare him.
“Experience is everything,” Davis told Raj Chipalu of the “Lakers Detailed” podcast. “Me playing in Summer League, training camp, preseason and being around LeBron [James], Luka [Dončić] and [Austin Reaves] allows me to experience it first-hand. Have that preparation.”
Davis connected on 6 of 8 3-point attempts in the opener and 4 of 13 on Sunday. During his UNC career, he scored at least 6 3-pointers only three times, topping out with 7 on Feb. 26, 2024, in a 75–71 home win over Miami, when he scored a career-high 42 points.
“What we do is nothing too difficult or different than what the [Los Angeles] Lakers do,” Davis said. “Having that experience, having that preparation allows me to go out and do what I did tonight.”
He told Chipaul that he mainly wants to show he’s a floor general with playmaking ability who can play defense.
“I feel like everyone has known me for scoring. That was my job at UNC,” he said.
Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan both had big opening games as their Wisconsin Herd earned a 110–107 road win Saturday over the Windy City Bulls. Nance had a double-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks while Ryan collected 22 points, four 3-pointers, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Second-year pro Harrison Ingram, who played four preseason games for San Antonio, produced a double-double in both weekend wins over the Birmingham Squadron. On Friday, he had 11 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a 101–89 win. In Sunday’s game, a 110–97 victory, he ahd 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Garrison Brooks had seven points, six rebounds, and two assists for Birmingham in Friday’s game and no points and two rebounds in Sunday’s game.
Leaky Black had 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists as his Capital City Go-Go fell to the Long Island Nets 109–102 on Friday. In Sunday’s 112–105 Go-Go victory over the Nets, Black had 12 points, nine assists and five rebounds.
Caleb Love is on the Rip City Remix roster, but was inactive Friday and Saturday for the team’s first two games.
Sterling Manley went to G League camp with the Noblesville Boom but didn’t make the opening-day roster.
The big news among former UNC players in the NBA last week was Utah center Walker Kessler being declared out for the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He played five games for the Jazz, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.
Chicago guard Coby White, who missed the entire preseason, has nearly fully recovered from a strained calf. The Bulls, off to a 6–3 start, have targeted the start of a three-game road trip on Nov. 16 for his season debut.
After a slow start to the season, San Antonio forward Harrison Barnes had a good week, capped by scoring 24 points and going 6 of 9 from 3-point range in Friday’s 121–110 NBA Cup victory over Houston. He had 14 points in Wednesday’s 118–116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and collected 15 points and three 3-pointers in Saturday’s 126–119 victory over New Orleans.
Drake Powell returned to the Brooklyn Nets for Friday’s 125–107 NBA Cup loss to the Detroit Pistons, playing a season-high 27 minutes. He contributed six points, four rebounds and two assists. He suffered right ankle injuries as he combined for 11 minutes in his first two NBA games. In Sunday’s 134–98 loss to the Knicks, Powell collected 15 points, three assists and two rebounds.
In two games last week, including Brooklyn’s 112–103 Wednesday loss to the Indiana Pacers, Day’Ron Sharpe combined for 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
— Reserve Milwaukee guard Cole Anthony has scored in double figures in the last four games, netting 11 Monday against Indiana, 12 Tuesday against Toronto and 11 Friday against Chicago and 12 Sunday (with five rebounds and six assists) against Houston.
— Cameron Johnson had his best game of the season in Denver on Saturday with 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals in the Nuggets’ 117–100 home win over Indiana. He scored nine points in Denver’s 122–112 win Wednesday over Miami and went scoreless with four assists in Friday’s 120–104 NBA Cup win over Golden State.
—Tony Bradley combined for 14 points and 10 rebounds in his last three games for the Indiana Pacers.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics — 26 games, 6.8 points, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Team record: 12–18, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Timberwolves 103, Bucks 100 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 1:14, 3 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Memphis
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 — 29 games, 12.9 points, 47.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 22–7, 2nd in Western Conference
Friday: Spurs 126, (at) Hawks 98 — Started; 21:48, 7 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, +13
Sunday: Spurs 124, (at) Wizards 113 — Started; 25:56, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 foul, +5
Tuesday: Spurs 130, Thunder 110 — Started; 25:45, 20 points, 6–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 6–6 FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, +12
Next game — 2:30 Thursday at 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 — 24 games, 4.5 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–24, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: (at) Pelicans 128, Pacers 109 and Monday: (at) Celtics 103, Pacers 95 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Bucks 111, Pacers 94 — 2:46, -2
Next game — 7:30 Tuesday vs. Milwaukee
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: 21–8, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: Rockets 115, Nuggets 101 — Started; 31:53, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -14
Monday: Nuggets 135, Jazz 112 — Started; 29:10, 20 points, 6–9 FG, 6–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +31
Tueday: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 130 — Started; 23:53, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, -12
Next game — 10:30 Thursday vs. Minnesota, ABC, ESPN
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 — 22 games, 7.9 points, 34.4 FG%, 26.1 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 12–18, 10th in Western Conference
Saturday: Blazers 98, (at) Kings 93 — Didn’t start; 9:25, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 foul, -13
Monday: Pistons 110, Blazers 102 — Didn’t start; 18:03, 5 points, 1–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Tuesday: Magic 110, Blazers 106 — Didn’t start; 33:31, 17 points, 7–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, season-high 3 blocks (had none beforehand), 3 fouls, +2
Next game — 1 p.m. Friday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Prime Video
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 and Tuesday: Nets 96, Raptors 81— Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 27 games, 7.1 points, 59.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 65.2 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 9–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 — Didn’t start; 20:24, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Tuesday: Nets 96, Raptors 81 — 20:44, 9 points (just missed second double-double of season), 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 11 rebounds, 6 assists (ties career-high), 1 steal, 3 fouls, +16
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Minnesota
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 — 13 games, 21.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 31.9 3PFG, 79.6 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Team record: 14–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 136, (at) Cavaliers 125 — Started; 29:46, 13 points, 5–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +16
Sunday: Bulls 152, (at) Hawks 150 — Started; 31:04, 21 points, 6–13 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6–10 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +4
Tuesday: Bulls 126, (at) Hawks 123 — Started; 31:10, 24 points, 7–13 FG, 5–10 3FG, 5–6 FT, 4 assists, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, 3 fouls, +7
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Philadelphia, 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 — 16 games, 10.7 points, 44.4 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 70.6 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals
Team record: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Capital City 125, Oklahoma City Blue 86 — Started; 28 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +31
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Sioux Falls Skyforce 116, Capital City 103 — Started; 32 minutes, 11 points, 3–8 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, -10
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Skyhawks
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 4.9 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 of a block
Team record: 1–1, tied for 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Iowa Wolves 117, Birmingham 101 — Didn’t start; 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -10
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Birmingham 125, Valley Suns 121 — Didn’t start; 6 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Westchester Knicks
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 15 games, 19.1 points, 45.4 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 2–1, tied for 1st in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 130, Sioux Falls Skyforce 106 — Didn’t start, 26 minutes, 16 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, +20
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 131, Wisconsin Herd 119 — Didn’t start, 30 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +21
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma City Blue
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 — 10 games, 15.9 points, 51.3 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 58.3 FT%, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Friday in quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup in Orlando: Stockton Kings 119, Austin 117, OT — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, -11
Friday Winter Showcase: Maine Celtics 123, Austin 114 — Started; 18 points, 5–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, -12
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Mexico City Capitanes
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 0–1, tied for 14th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 and Monday: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103, both at Winter Showcase in Orlando — Inactive for both games
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 8 games, 16.9 points, 50.5 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 15–15 FT, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 0–2, tied for 12th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Sunday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay Lakers 131, Wisconsin 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 6 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +8
Monday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Rio Grande 118, Wisconsin 103 — Started; 28 minutes, 17 points, 7–11 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -6
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Rapids Gold
Photos via @SouthBayLakers
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