By R.L. Bynum
It was a week of statement performances for former North Carolina stars in the pros, headlined by Harrison Barnes and Coby White in the NBA and RJ Davis in the G League.
Barnes reminded everyone why he’s still a reliable perimeter scorer in his 14th NBA season. The San Antonio forward erupted for a season-high 31 points in Tuesday’s 126–119 win over Memphis, drilling seven threes and adding five rebounds and five assists.
“Man, that’s nice,” Barnes said after being told that it was his best game since joining the Spurs (15–7) in 2018. His 26.0 game score was his highest since producing a 27.9 in a 29-point game on March 10, in a 133–129 home loss to Dallas.
It was vintage Barnes — efficient, confident and clutch — in a game where the Spurs needed every bucket with Victor Wembanyama out with a calf strain. He had quiet games before (five points Sunday) and after (seven points Wednesday), but showed he can still produce big games at age 33.
“I think my job is mostly to try to go in there and make good decisions, try to move without the basketball, try to just keep the continuity going,” said Barnes, who is averaging 13.2 points while shooting 42.5% from 3-point range, after making a career-best 43.3% of his 3-point attempts last season.
You can watch Barnes on national television twice next week: for Monday’s 9:30 game at New Orleans (Peacock) and Wednesday’s 10 p.m. road game against the Los Angeles Lakers (Prime Video)
White missed Chicago’s first three games of the week with tightness in his left calf before returning with a bang Friday night.
He scored 22 points in 26 minutes, attacking the rim to earn 12 trips to the free-throw line, converting nine. White, whose season didn’t start until Nov. 16 because of right calf strain, also dished six assists, giving Chicago the offensive spark it sorely missed during his absence. But it wasn’t enough to snap a six-game losing streak in a 120–105 loss to Indiana.
“It’s still a very long season,” said White, who has only played in six games, averaging 23.8 points and 6.2 rebounds.” I’ve been through the ups and downs here for seven years now. The most important thing is that we stick together through this. The season’s always going to be filled with adversities. We got a chance to change the narrative right now. The most important thing for me is we don’t let go of the rope, and we do this thing together.”
The Bulls are off to a 9–13 start, and are 2–4 in games White plays.
“We just got to continue to have the honest conversations we’re having with each other and continue to grow,” White said. “It’s going to take all of us, and it’s going to take a ton of spirit, a ton of heart. But it is fixable, which is the most important thing.”
Cameron Johnson had a steady week as Denver (16–9) went 3–1, highlighted by 16 points and four 3s in a 134–133 Friday win over Atlanta. He collected 15 points, three 3-pointers, four rebounds and four assists in last Saturday’s 130–112 win over Phoenix.
Johnson’s game at 10 p.m. Thursday at Sacramento airs on Prime Video.
Elsewhere in the league:
— Portland rookie Caleb Love scored 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting Wednesday in a loss to Cleveland, but it was an uneven week as the Blazers (9–13) went 1–3. He scored 12 points in Sunday’s loss to the Thunder, but only had five on Tuesday in a loss to Toronto and played nearly 12 scoreless minutes in Friday’s loss to Detroit.
— It was a quiet week for Drake Powell and Day’Ron Sharpe as Brooklyn (5–17) lost two of three games. Powell scored 10 points with four assists and three steals in Monday’s 116–103 win over Charlotte, but combined for eight points in the other two games. Sharpe combined for 18 points in the three games, pulling down seven rebounds twice.
—Cole Anthony’s first season at Milwaukee has taken a frustrating turn. During a 1–3 week for the Bucks (10–14), he combined to score only two points, played a total of just over 10 minutes and didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Wednesday’s win over Detroit.
—Tony Bradley continues to play sparingly for Indiana (5–18), which went 2–2. He didn’t play (coach’s decision) Sunday and combined for 15 points in a little over 23 minutes in the other three games.
In the G League, Davis is averaging 21.7 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range through nine games of his rookie season with the South Bay Lakers (5–4), who have lost three straight games.
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Davis, playing alongside Bronny James in the starting lineup of Saturday’s 124–113 loss to the San Diego Clippers, scored 24 points and four 3-pointers with six rebounds and three assists.
He followed that up with 28 points, three 3-pointers, six rebounds and eight assists in Sunday’s 108–107 loss to San Diego.
In Tuesday’s 136–105 loss to the Salt Lake City Stars, who had 16 points, eight assists and three rebounds.
Elsewhere in the G League:
—Garrison Brooks returned to the Birmingham Squadron after contributing seven points, six assists and four rebounds in the United States’ 123–94 World Cup qualifying win Monday in Atlanta over Nicaragua. He had eight points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s 124–99 loss to the Memphis Hustle.
—Pete Nance, who was scoreless in 50 seconds for the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, had 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks in the Wisconsin Herd’s 114–112 victory over the Motor City Cruise. Cormac Ryan didn’t play last week as the Herd (3–7) lost both games.
—Leaky Black’s Capital City Go-Go (4–6) went 0–3, with his best game 10 points, 10 assists, three steals and two assists in Friday’s 124–120 road loss to Raptors 905.
—Harrison Ingram, averaging 15.2 points and 11.4 rebounds, didn’t play in the Austin Spurs’ only game last week.
Tar Heels on national TV next week
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)
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis
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)
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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 — 2 games, 24.0 points, 84.6 FG%, 44.4 FT%, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steal, 4.0 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
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday at Utah
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
Next game — 7:30 Sunday vs. Detroit
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
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday vs. Orlando
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)
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Indiana
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 2020–22 (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
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 — 2 games, 7.5 points, 46.7 FG%, 1–2 3P, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
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
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Indiana
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)
Photo via @spurs
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