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, 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: 31–21, 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
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win with Milwaukee vs. New Orleans — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Wednesday: 101–97 loss with Phoenix vs. Golden State — Not yet with team
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Philadelphia
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 — 51 games, 10.6 points, 43.9 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 35–16, 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
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Dallas, Prime Video
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: 13–39, 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 — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 33–19, 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 (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 24–28, 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
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday 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 — 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 — 38 games, 6.1 points, 44.2 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 91.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–37, 14th 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
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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 — 48 games, 8.1 points, 60.8 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 13–37, 14th 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
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington
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: 23–28, 11th 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
Thursday: 109–99 win with Charlotte at Houston — Didn’t play
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Atlanta
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
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
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday vs. South Bay Lakers
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
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
Next game — 11 a.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
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
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
Next game — 9 p.m. Saturday at Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Prime Video
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
Next game — 6 p.m. Saturday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photos via @SouthBayLakers
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