By R.L. Bynum
The first week after the All-Star break has been a period of transition for a few former UNC players, with some positive and some negative outcomes.
Coby White’s long wait to make his Charlotte Hornets debut finally ended; Leaky Black’s contract was converted to a two-way deal; Portland sent Caleb Love to the G League; Cole Anthony remains in limbo; and Harrison Barnes has settled into a reserve role.
Meanwhile, Cormac Ryan scored a career-high 36 points in the G League while Harrison Ingram earned Player of the Week honors for the league.
White had been nursing a left calf strain since the Chicago Bulls sent him to Charlotte on Feb. 4 for two second-round picks and Collin Sexton.
Of all places for White to make his Hornets debut, it came Tuesday in Chicago. He came off the bench to collect 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal in Charlotte’s 131–99 victory.
While the Hornets are vying for a play-in spot and set a franchise record with their eighth consecutive road victory, Chicago has lost 10 straight games and is the only NBA team winless in February.
White scored a pair of 3-pointers to help Charlotte become the first team in NBA history to score at least 25 3-pointers in consecutive games.
“The way the season was going, we weren’t stacking enough wins consistently,” White said before the game against the Bulls. “Like I said from the jump, I support whatever they think is best for the team. This organization believed in me. They gave me a chance and opportunity to live out my dreams. So, I just want to see the organization succeed.”
Leaky Black got the good news Saturday that the Washington Wizards were converting his Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way contract.
Black hasn’t played for the Wizards yet, though. Since the All-Star break, he has played four games for the G League’s Capital City Go-Go, with his best game being 13 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s 128–125 road loss to the Noblesville Boom.
The news wasn’t as good for Caleb Love, who has been on a two-way contract since the beginning of the season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Since players on two-way contracts are limited to 50 NBA games, Portland had a decision to make because Love has played 45 NBA games: sign him to a standard contract or send him to the G League for most of his remaining games this season.
For now, the Blazers have opted for the latter. After Love had 11 points in Thursday’s 135–119 win at Utah, he didn’t play in the Blazers’ game Friday and has been impressive in two G League games since then.
Playing for Portland’s Rip City Remix, he had three 3-pointers in two home games against the Santa Cruz Warriors, scoring 25 points with four assists in Sunday’s 118–113 loss and collecting 27 points, eight assists and four rebounds in Tuesday’s 128–126 victory.
Milwaukee traded Anthony to Phoenix on Feb. 5 as part of a three-team deal with Chicago that also sent Amir Coffey from the Bucks to the Suns. There have been reports that the Suns would waive Anthony. But that hasn’t happened, and he hasn’t yet reported to the team. Coffey, meanwhile, has played in five games for the Suns.
After starting every game he played in over the last nine seasons, Barnes has come off the San Antonio bench for the last six games. Since the All-Star break, he’s combined for just over 40 minutes and 13 points in three games. Before this season, he last came off the bench with Golden State during the 2015–16 season.
Devin Vassell has taken Barnes’ spot in the starting lineup after Barnes averaged only 6.8 points and shot only 26.7% from 3-point range in January. Barnes is making 37.3% of his 3-point attempts on the season, his lowest since shooting 35.6% for Dallas in the 2017–18 season.
Ryan went off again for the Wisconsin Herd on Tuesday, pouring in a career-high 36 points and six 3-pointers while collecting four rebounds and four assists in a 112–104 road loss to the Windy City Bulls. He had 17 points and three 3-pointers in Friday’s 116–105 loss to the Greensboro Swarm and contributed 23 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday’s 129–104 loss to the Swarm.
Ingram has been consistent and is the G League Player of the Week. Over a five-game stretch for the Austin Spurs, he averaged 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 37.1 minutes per game.
Since the All-Star break, he has three double-doubles to push his season total to 13 and his two-season career total to 31. The best of them was his 16-point, 20-rebound game in Friday’s 135–132 road loss to the San Diego Clippers. His best point total was 23 points in Thursday’s 116–115 win over the Clippers, when he had 12 rebounds.
RJ Davis couldn’t make it to UNC’s Monday win against Louisville for the unveiling of the banner honoring his No. 4 because of the wintry weather in the northeast. A planned halftime ceremony was postponed.
Over the weekend, he rebounded from scoring five points on 1 of 6 shooting in Friday’s 127–105 road win over the Texas Legends to collect 23 points, five 3-pointers, seven assists and four rebounds in Saturday’s 104–99 win over the Legends.
Elsewhere among former UNC players:
— Cameron Johnson’s best of the three Denver games since the break was 18 points, four rebounds and three assists in Thursday’s 115–114 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. He scored 15 in Friday’s 157–103 win at Portland and nine in Sunday’s 128–117 loss at Golden State.
— Pete Nance scored 10 points for Milwaukee on Thursday in a 139–118 win at New Orleans, but was scoreless in 5:20 on Sunday and didn’t play Tuesday (coach’s decision).
— Day’Ron Sharpe had 12 points and eight rebounds in Brooklyn’s 105–86 Friday loss at Oklahoma City and 11 points in Sunday’s 115–104 setback at Atlanta. He combined for 11 points in the other two games.
— Drake Powell has combined for 15 points in four Nets games since the break.
— Garrison Brooks, who played much of the season in the G League for the Birmingham Squadron, has signed to play in the Japanese B League with the Chiba Jets.
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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: 33–26, 7th in Western Conference
Hasn’t reported to Phoenix since getting traded.
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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 — 57 games, 10.5 points, 44.3 FG%, 37.3 3P%, 84.5 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 41–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday: 121–94 win vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 20:20, 8 points, 3–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, +16
Saturday: 139–122 win vs. Sacramento — Didn’t start; 4:24, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 1 assist, -9
Monday: 114–103 win at Duke — Didn’t start; 15:29, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, +3
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday at Toronto
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 — 34 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 41.7 3P%, 84.4 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 36–22, 3rd in Western Conference
Thursday: 115–114 loss at L.A. Clippers — Started; 35:18, 18 points, 6–12 FG, 2–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +2
Friday: 157–103 win at Portland — Started; 26:40, 15 points, 3–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 7–8 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +15
Sunday: 128–117 loss at Golden State — Started; 37:51, 9 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 7–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 foul, -8
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Boston, ESPN
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
NBA season statistics — 45 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.0 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists
G League season statistics — 2 games, 26.0 points, 26.5 FG%, 6–23 3P%, 0–1 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 4.5 turnovers
Team record: 27–29, 9th in Western Conference
Thursday: 135–119 win at Utah — Didn’t start; 14:41, 11 points, 4–12 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2 assists, -14
Friday: 157–103 loss vs. Denver — Didn’t play
Sunday in G League with Rip City Remix: 118–113 loss vs. Santa Cruz Warriors — Started; 34 minutes, 25 points, 11–26 FG, 3–13 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 1 block, -7
Tuesday in G League with Rip City Remix: 128–126 win vs. Santa Cruz Warriors — Started; 38 minutes, 27 points, 12–27 FG, 3–10 3FG, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -3
Next Blazers game — 7:30 Wednesday at Detroit, ESPN
Next Remix game — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Iowa Wolves
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 — 25 games, 5.0 points, 58.8 FG%, 51.0 3P%, 2.1 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 25–31, 11th in Eastern Conference
Friday: 139–118 win at New Orleans — 23:58, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +5
Sunday: 122–94 loss vs. Toronto — 5:20, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, -4
Tuesday: 128–117 win vs. Miami — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Cleveland
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 — 46 games, 6.0 points, 42.2 FG%, 28.4 3FG%, 89.8 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Team record: 15–42, 14th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: 112–84 loss at Cleveland — Didn’t start; 15:51, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 fouls, -3
Friday: 105–86 loss at Oklahoma City — Didn’t start; 20:10, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, -4
Sunday: 115–104 loss at Atlanta — Didn’t start; 13:41, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, -20
Tuesday: 123–114 loss vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 21:20, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -10
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. San Antonio
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 — 55 games, 8.5 points, 60.5 FG%, 21.2 3P%, 67.4 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 15–42, 14th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: 112–84 loss at Cleveland — Started; 19:31, 4 points, 1–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, -28
Friday: 105–86 loss at Oklahoma City — Started; 27:05, 12 points, 6–8 FG, 0–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, -12
Sunday: 115–104 loss at Atlanta — Didn’t start; 17:24, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, +8
Tuesday: 123–114 loss vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 15:58, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. San Antonio
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 26 | 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 — 30 games, 18.3 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.9 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 28–31, 10th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–99 win at Chicago — Didn’t start; 15:33, 10 points, 4–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +20
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Indiana
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 | Two-way contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Thursday: 113–110 win vs. Osceola Magic — Started; 35 minutes, 9 points, 4–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 block, +17
Saturday: 128–125 loss at Noblesville Boom — Started; 38 minutes, 13 points, 5–11 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, +5
Sunday: 130–114 win at Noblesville Boom — Started; 37 minutes, 4 points, 1–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 1 turnover, +8
Tuesday: 126–112 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — Started; 36 minutes, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–4 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -13
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Westchester Knicks, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 34 games, 19.1 points, 44.8 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 86.8 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Friday: 127–105 win at Texas Legends — Started; 20 minutes, 5 points, 1–6 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -3
Saturday: 104–99 win at Texas Legends — Started; 34 minutes, 23 points, 9–17 FG, 5–9 3FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +7
Next game — 2 p.m. Wednesday at Valley Suns
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 — 29 games, 16.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 33.0 3P%, 61.4 FT%, 12.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals
Thursday: 116–115 win at San Diego Clippers — Started; 36 minutes, 23 points, 10–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +21
Friday: 135–132 loss at San Diego Clippers — Started; 40 minutes, 16 points, 6–14 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 20 rebounds, 14 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Sunday: 102–97 win vs. Memphis Hustle — Started; 40 minutes, 17 points, 8–19 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +5
Tuesday: 109–100 loss at Oklahoma City Blue — Started; 40 minutes, 15 points, 7–17 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FG, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Next game — noon Thursday vs. Motor City Cruise
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 28 games, 19.8 points, 47.9 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 87.7 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals
Friday: 116–105 loss vs. Greensboro Swarm — Started; 30 minutes, 17 points, 6–14 FG, 3–8 3FG, 1–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Saturday: 129–104 loss vs. Greensboro Swarm — Started; 29 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 1 block, -9
Tuesday: 112–104 loss at Windy City Bulls — Started; 43 minutes, 36 points, 12–19 FG, 6–10 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -3
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Memphis Hustle, ESPN+
Photo via @hornets
