By R.L. Bynum
It might be time for the Los Angeles Lakers to call up RJ Davis to the NBA.
Davis followed up scoring 30 points in a triple-double on Thursday with a career-high 45 points in only 35 minutes on Saturday in the South Bay Lakers’ dominant 146–104 home victory over the Salt Lake City Stars at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif.
After Pete Nance scored 42 points in a G League game on Jan. 11 for the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks called him up, and he has played seven games since then. Who knows if the Lakers will make a similar move?
More on Tar Heels
—Heels move up in NET rankings after blowout win, but one loss becomes Quad 2
— Veesaar rebounds from “wake-up” call at Virginia
— Trimble turns drives into daggers as Heels learn to close
— Wilson takes flight, ignites Heels in hometown blowout
The 45 points topped his Carolina career-high of 42 points on Feb. 26, 2024, in a 75–71 home win over Miami, when he made 7 of 11 3-point attempts.
Davis, who was +42, was 15 of 22 from the floor and tied his career high with six 3-pointers (on nine attempts) and made all four free-throw attempts while dishing out eight assists and pulling down five rebounds.
South Bay won its fourth consecutive game, leading by 50 at one point in the second half.
Davis has averaged 32 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the last three games. For the season, he’s averaging 19.4 points, shooting 44.7% from the floor, 40.6% from 3-point range and 88.3% at the free-throw line with 4.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
Davis has seven games with at least 25 points, with his previous season high being 31 points on Nov. 8 against the Valley Suns. He has three games with six 3-pointers, with the other two being that game against Valley and on Jan. 14 when he scored 28 points against the San Diego Clippers.
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 — 48 games, 10.6 points, 43.7 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 87.7 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 32–16, 3rd 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
Saturday: 111–106 loss at Charlotte —Didn’t start; 24:48, 11 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +4
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. Orlando
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: 13–36, 14th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 113–110 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Last 10-day contract expires; could return to Pacers after trade deadline
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: 33–16, 2nd 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 — 41 games, 11.2 points, 38.8 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 72.3 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 23–26, 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
Friday: 127–97 loss at New York — Didn’t start; 27:14, 12 points, 5–15 FG, 2–10 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -11
Next game — 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland
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 — 36 games, 6.1 points, 44.3 FG%, 30.7 3FG%, 90.2 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 13–34, 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
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah — Didn’t start; 16:01, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +14
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Detroit
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 — 45 games, 8.0 points, 60.7 FG%, 22.6 3P%, 67.8 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 13–34, 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
Friday: 109–99 win at Utah — Didn’t start; 17:49, 16 points, 4–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 7–9 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +12
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday at Detroit
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, 9th 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
Saturday: 125–118 win at Miami — Didn’t play (injury management; right calf)
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday 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 — 28 games, 10.9 points, 45.9 FG%, 36.0 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Friday: 124–99 loss vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 31 minutes, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -18
Saturday: 110–98 win vs. Wisconsin Herd — Started; 38 minutes, 9 points, 4–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 3 steals, 1 block, +16
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. South Bay Lakers, ESPN+
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 and Friday: Noblesville Boom 124, Birmingham 111 — Inactive for both games
Next game — 3 p.m. Sunday 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 — 28 games, 19.4 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 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
Saturday: 146–104 win vs. Salt Lake City Stars — Started; 35 minutes, career-high 45 points, 15–22 FG, 6–9 3FG (6 ties his career-high), 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +42
Next game — 7 p.m. Monday at Osceola Magic, Prime Video
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 — 23 games, 19.1 points, 49.1 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 90.7 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Friday: 124–99 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11
Saturday: 110–98 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 16 points, 6–17 FG, 4–11 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 11 a.m. Thursday at Delaware Blue Coats
Photos via @southbaylakers
tarheeltribune.com 