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.
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Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small 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
Preseason statistics — 5 games, 18.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 34.6 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist, 0.8 of a steal
Season statistics — 3 games, 1.0 point, 25.0 FG%, 25.0 3P%
Friday — Rockets 114, Spurs 110 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Saturday — Spurs 122, Mavericks 106 (road) | didn’t start: 3:57, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, +6
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Sacramento
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve; likely to play share of games 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 statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Friday — Blazers 128, Kings 120 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Sunday — Grizzlies 123, Kings 112 (home) | 1 second, +1
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday at San Antonio
Tony Bradley, Utah Jazz center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 9th NBA season | $2.44 million salary | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics (New York) — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Friday — Jazz 120, Pelicans 119 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Sunday — Lakers 132, Jazz 123 (home) | not active for game
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Memphis
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string forward 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Friday — Jazz 120, Pelicans 119 (home) | inactive for game
Sunday — Lakers 132, Jazz 123 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Memphis
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 statistics — 5 games, 18.3 minutes, 10.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Season statistics — 1 game, 5.0 points, 66.7 FG%, 1–4 3P, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Saturday — Nuggets 141, Pelicans 135 (home) | didn’t play (sprained right ankle)
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Golden State, Peacock, NBCSN
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 statistics — 2 games, 23.4 minutes, 8.5 points, 42.9 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 83.3 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.5 blocks
Season statistics — 3 games, 16.7 points, 82.1 FG%, 44.4 FT%, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steal, 3.0 blocks
Friday — Lakers 125, Clippers 117 (home) | started: 34:54, 22 points, 10–14 FG, 2–5 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks, 1 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-high +18
Sunday — Lakers 132, Jazz 123 (road) | started: 28:28, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +6
Next game — 11 p.m. Tuesday vs. Portland
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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 statistics — 4 games, 14.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 25.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 0.5 of a block
Saturday — (season debut) Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (home) | 30 seconds, no statistics
Sunday — Pistons 106, Sixers 93 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Indiana, ESPN
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Saturday — Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Indiana
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 21.1 minutes, 16 points, 4–18 FG, 2–14 3FG, 6–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Friday — Celtics 107, Knicks 103 (road) | inactive for game
Sunday — Magic 111, Knicks 102 (home) | inactive for game
Next game — 8 p.m. Tuesday vs. Detroit, NBC, Peacock
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
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.0 rebound
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Sunday — (season debut) Pacers 136, Nets 109 (home) | didn’t start: 12:21, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, -7
Next game — 7:30 Tuesday at Boston
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,984 salary (2-way contract) | 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
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 15.9 minutes, 6.7 points, 46.2 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 57.1 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of a steal
Saturday — Sixers 127, Bucks 116 (road) | inactive
Next game — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Indiana
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (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
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Season statistics — 3 games, 8.7 points, 52.6 FG%, 2–3 3P, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 block
Saturday — Cavaliers 125, Nets 121 (road) | started: 22:40, 7 points, 3–10 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +6
Sunday — Pacers 136, Nets 109 (home) | started: 16:12, 11 points, 3–4 FG, 1–1 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -13
Next game — 7:30 Tuesday at Boston
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 3P%, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Saturday — Hornets 115, Heat 110 (home) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Washington
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.68 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 statistics — 5 games, 26.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 44.1 FG%, 31.0 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Season statistics — 3 games, 22.3 points, 40.7 FG%, 17.4 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks
Saturday — Wizards 124, Bulls 120 (home) | started: 38:22, 30 points, 10–24 FG, 1–9 3FG, 9–11 FT, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, +14, 26.2 game score (tied for best college game score: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals in 87–74 win over Kansas on Nov. 7, 2025)
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Boston
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photos via @SouthBayLakers
