By R.L. Bynum
RJ Davis’ sensational rookie season in the G League reached a new milestone Thursday night when he recorded his first career triple-double.
The five-year Carolina star collected 30 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high-tying 10 assists and was 11 of 22 from the floor in his South Bay Lakers’ 125–118 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif.
“It’s my first ever triple double ever in all my basketball career,” said Davis, adding that he had one in high school but contended that that achievement “doesn’t really count.”
Davis scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half, repeatedly delivering timely buckets as Salt Lake City cut a 22-point deficit down to make it close. But Davis hit a step-back 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to push the Lakers’ lead back to seven and sealed the game.
The big game came after Davis had 21 points, three 3-pointers, and six assists in South Bay’s 121–107 home win on Tuesday over the College Park Skyhawks.
Davis is averaging 18.4 points while shooting 43.4% from the floor, 39.3% from 3-point range and 87.7% from the free-throw line with 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
His season high is 31 points on Nov. 8 against the Valley Suns, and his season rebounding high is 11 against the Oklahoma City Blue on Dec. 17. He also had 10 assists on Jan. 24 against the Mexico City Capitanes.
With the game in the balance late, Davis knew he was one rebound away, but he wasn’t tracking it alone.
“Shout out to [head video coordinator Austi Pope], because he looked after me, because I didn’t know you say you need one more,” Davis said. “So, I’m like, all right, let me just try to get, go ahead and get one more rebound.”
The final rebound didn’t require a scramble so much as perfect timing and a little fortune.
“Luckily, the ball kind of fell right into my hands,” Davis said.
Davis said the stat line was less about hunting numbers and more about how the game asked him to play.
“I think just sometimes the game is called for different things,” he said, saying that earlier stages of his career leaned heavily toward one mode. He described a shift that has been sharpened by the pro pace and the daily demands of his new role.
“I feel like I found a balance now in terms of my game,” Davis said. “I feel like earlier in my game, college was like, score, score, score.”
Now, he said, the challenge is choosing the right moments, not simply creating them.
“Now it’s more about finding that balance right between play-making for yourself and also play-making for others,” he said
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That balance, in his view, is part growth and part environment.
“It’s a fast-paced game, so you’re playing 12-minute quarters,” he said, noting the rhythm and spacing that can reward quick reads and decisive action. Even so, he framed the shift as earned rather than automatic.
“It took me a long time, but honestly, that’s just part of my journey,” Davis said, tracing his journey to emulating Derek Rose, who was his favorite player while he was growing up. “Just watching him for over just like his intensity, mindset … that’s when I started to try and mimic his game a lot.”
The edge that shows up in his drives to the basket and late-game poise, he suggested, was built through years of hearing that he wasn’t as good as he can become.
“But just like my journey from high school to college up until now, it’s always been the same theme of being doubted, being overlooked,” Davis said. “So, I guess nothing new to me, or having to prove myself all over again, my whole life.”
The path, since not getting drafted, has demanded flexibility as much as confidence, and Davis acknowledged the grind of bouncing between opportunities.
“That’s just life, right?” he said. “You’re gonna take some punches and get knocked down. So, it’s basically how you respond.”
He also made clear he didn’t arrive in the G League to blend in.
“Even coming into the G League, I wanted to dominate,” Davis said. “I wanted to just showcase what I can do.”
While his scoring has always been the headline, he pushed back on any one-dimensional label.
“I feel like I’m always known to score, but it’s more to my game, rather than the offense side,” Davis said. “I also play defense.”
What did he want from his first season as a pro?
“My main goal was just to kill; doesn’t matter how it looked,” he said. “Didn’t care about stats.”
The triple-double, then, was a byproduct, not the mission, even if it came with a grin and a sense of accomplishment.
“One thing that I want to continue to improve on and just add later [is] probably just playmaking, being more vocal and just continue to be a pest on the defensive end,” Davis said.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 33 games, 6.9 points, 43.2 FG%, 31.4 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists
Team record: 18–28, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia — 14:13, 10 points, 3–8 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 asisst, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington — 17:36, 5 points, 2–11 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -9
Next game — 3:30 Sunday at Boston, ESPN
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 — 46 games, 10.6 points, 43.6 FG%, 36.0 3P%, 87.3 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 32–15, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 111–99 win at Houston —Started; 28:46, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday at Charlotte, 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: 12–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Atlanta
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: 32–16, 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 — 39 games, 11.3 points, 39.3 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–24, 9th in Western Conference
Monday: 102–94 loss at Boston — Didn’t start; 25:45, 11 points, 5–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, -1
Next game — 7:30 Friday at New York
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 — 16 games, 3.5 points, 56.1 FG%, 47.6 3P%, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 of an assist
Team record: 18–28, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 139–122 loss at Philadelphia — 2:23, 2 points, 1–2 FG, -3
Thursday: 109–99 loss at Washington — 20:08, 13 points, 6–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, -1
Next game — 3:30 Sunday at Boston, ESPN
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 — 35 games, 6.2 points, 43.9 FG%, 30.7 3FG%, 90.2 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Team record: 12–34, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix — Started; 8:28, 1 turnover, -9
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver — Didn’t start; 19:59, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Next game — 9:30 Friday at Utah
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 — 44 games, 7.8 points, 60.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.0 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 12–34, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 106–102 loss at Phoenix — Didn’t start; 19:19, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 foul, +5
Thursday: 107–103 loss at Denver — Didn’t start; 16:59, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Next game — 9:30 Friday at Utah
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 — 27 games, 18.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 36.1 3PFG, 79.9 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Team record: 23–25, 10th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 loss at Indiana — Started; 31:34, 14 points, 5–15 FG, 1–5 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, -9
Thursday: 116–113 loss vs. Miami — Started; 31:34, 14 points, 2–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 8–10 FT, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, +5
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday at Miami
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 — 27 games, 11.1 points, 46.2 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals
Thursday: (at) Austin Spurs 110, Capital City 103 — Started; 37 minutes, 15 points, 6–11 FG, 3–7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 2 blocks, -4
Friday: Capital City 112, (at) Austin Spurs 96 — Started; 36 minutes, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 block, +24
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Wisconsin Herd
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 — Inactive for game
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Noblesville Boom
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 27 games, 18.4 points, 43.4 FG%, 39.3 3P%, 87.7 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: 121–107 win vs. College Park Skyhawks — Started; 30 minutes, 21 points, 7–18 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +17
Thursday: 125–118 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars — Started; 34 minutes, 30 points, 11–22 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, +24
Next game — 8:30 Saturday vs. Salt Lake City Stars
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
Tuesday: 116–107 win at Valley Suns — Started; 27 minutes, 9 points, 4–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–3 FT, 12 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 fouls 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +5
Thursday: 119–115 loss vs. Stockton Kings — Started; 30 minutes, 15 points, 5–14 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover, -5
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Wednesday vs. Texas Legends
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 21 games, 20.0 points, 49.5 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 92.5 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: Noblesville Boom 95, Wisconsin 90 — Started; 31 minutes, 23 points, 9–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -2
Saturday: Noblesville Boom 117, Wisconsin 115 — Started; 37 minutes, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, -17
Next game — 2 p.m. Friday at Capital City Go-Go
Photo via @SouthBayLakers
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