By R.L. Bynum
As Caleb Wilson kept stacking good nights five games into his rookie season, Coby White still hasn’t made his season debut and eight former UNC players are in G League camp, including Drake Powell.
Wilson, one of seven former Tar Heels still with NBA teams, put up 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 37½ minutes on Wednesday, but his Chicago Bulls fell to 1–4 with a 133–127 home loss to the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.
Wilson shot 7-for-18 from the field, including 3-for-8 on 3-pointers, made 3 of 4 free throws, and added two steals and a block while committing one turnover.
Through five games, he’s averaging 20.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. He is shooting 41.3% from the field, 22.2% on 3-pointers and 74.1% at the free-throw line.
Wilson said he’s using each game to accelerate his adjustment.
“Every game I just take the data, learn from it, watch games over, and it just happens for me,” Wilson told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Bulls play at Boston at 7:30 p.m. Friday in an NBA Cup game.
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In G League training camps
The biggest surprise among the players sent to G League camps is Powell, the only former UNC player in a G League camp who isn’t on a two-way contract. He joins Nets 2026 first-round pick Joshua Jefferson and 2025 first-round pick Ben Saraf in the Long Island Nets camp.
Powell played in one NBA game this season, recording two rebounds and three assists while missing both of his free throws in nearly 12½ minutes. He played five games with the Long Island Nets last season, averaging 11.8 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Asked what Powell and the other young players outside the rotation needed to do to earn minutes, Nets coach Jordi Fernández pointed to readiness.
“Just to be ready when their number’s called and do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Fernández said, according to ClutchPoints.
Leaky Black played eight minutes and finished with two points, a rebound, an assist, a steal and a block for Sacramento in its 130–103 road loss Tuesday to San Antonio, but is on the Stockton Kings training-camp roster. Last season, he averaged 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 38 games for Capital City in the G League.
RJ Davis is with the Austin Spurs after totaling seven points, three rebounds and three assists in three preseason NBA games. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.9 assists in 49 games for the South Bay Lakers last season and shot 42.4% from 3.
Harrison Ingram, who scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds across four NBA preseason games but hasn’t played in an NBA regular-season game for the Utah Jazz, is in camp with the Salt Lake City Stars. He averaged 16.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 40 games for Austin in the G League last season.
Caleb Love, who only played 30 seconds in one game for the Philadelphia 76ers, is in the Delaware Blue Coats camp. He averaged 10.4 points in 49 NBA games last season, which came close to the 50-game limit on his two-way contract; he averaged 24.7 points in 10 G League games.
Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan are both in Wisconsin Herd camp after not playing in any regular-season games for the Milwaukee Bucks. Nance averaged 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in four preseason games. Ryan, who averaged 20.9 points in 31 G League games last season and 14.3 points in 11 NBA games, averaged 6.7 points in three NBA preseason games.
Tyler Nickel, a rookie forward with the Westchester Knicks camp, scored 16 points in four preseason NBA games but hasn’t played in any regular-season NBA games.
Action in the NBA since Monday (get a rundown of games Sunday and Monday here, and Saturday games here):
— Coby White is still recovering from a left calf strain and hasn’t played yet for the Charlotte Hornets, who lost 97–89 at Detroit on Wednesday but lead the Southeast Division at 3–2.
— Cameron Johnson missed his third consecutive game, Denver’s 104–91 win at New Orleans on Wednesday, with an ankle injury.
— Walker Kessler collected 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 136–129 loss to Portland on Tuesday. He followed that with 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals in a 103–87 win at the Clippers on Wednesday.
— Day’Ron Sharpe had four points and six rebounds in 17 minutes of the Nets’ 125–124 overtime loss at Boston on Tuesday. He committed four fouls and is averaging 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds through four games.
— Harrison Barnes came off the bench for 13 minutes, 30 seconds in San Antonio’s 130–103 win over Black’s Kings on Tuesday and scored three points, but didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Wednesday’s 117–111 win at Utah.
— Tony Bradley didn’t play (coach’s decision) in Utah’s Wednesday loss to San Antonio, and has only played 5½ minutes in one game this season, scoring two points.
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 — 4 games, 1.5 point, 33.3 FG%, 20.0 3P%
Tuesday — Spurs 130, Kings 103 (home) | didn’t start: 13:30, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, +2
Wednesday — Spurs 117, Jazz 111 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decsion)
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. Minnesota
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
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls
Wednesday — Spurs 117, Jazz 111 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Portland
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
Wednesday — Nuggets 104, Pelicans 91 (road) | inactive (ankle injury)
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday at Phoenix (NBA Cup game)
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 — 5 games, 14.8 points, 75.0 FG%, 44.4 FT%, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.2 steal, 2.4 blocks
Tuesday — Blazers 136, Lakers 129 (home) | started: 32:45, 13 points, 6–9 FG, 1–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +3, 7.9 game score
Wednesday — Lakers 103, Clippers 87 (road) | started: 26:15, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, -7, 13.0 game score
Next game — 10 p.m. Friday at Golden State (NBA Cup game)
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 — 4 games, 7.5 points, 52.2 FG%, 2–4 3P, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 block
Tuesday — Celtics 125, Nets 124, OT (road) | started: 17:26, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, +3
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Detroit (NBA Cup game)
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
Wednesday — Pistons 97, Hornets 89 (road) | inactive: left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Friday at Washington (NBA Cup game)
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 — 5 games, 20.8 points, 41.3 FG%, 22.2 3P%, 74.1 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks
Wednesday — Knicks 133, Bulls 127 (home) | started: 37:35, 17 points, 5–13 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -1, 15.8 game score
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Boston (NBA Cup game)
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
In G League training camp
Leaky Black, Stockton Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
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 NBA 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
Season NBA statistics — 2 games, 8 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul
Tuesday in NBA — Spurs 130, Kings 103 (road) | didn’t start: 8:10, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, -1
Season opener — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, vs. Santa Cruz Warriors
RJ Davis, Austin Spurs guard
Age 25 | 6–0, 182 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2010–25 (5 seasons)
G League statistics last season (South Bay Lakers) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Preseason NBA statistics — 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 8:30 Friday, Nov. 6, at Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Harrison Ingram, Salt Lake City Stars forward
Age 24 | 6–6, 230 | 3rd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
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 NBA statistics — 4 games, 7.9 minutes, 19 points, 53.3 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday at Coachella Valley Lakers
Caleb Love, Delaware Blue Coats guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd pro season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
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 NBA 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
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 30 seconds, no statistics
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 NBA statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Season opener — 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Iowa Wolves
Tyler Nickel, Westchester Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary (2-way contract) | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
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 NBA 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
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Maine Celtics
Drake Powell, Long Island Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
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
Season NBA statistics — 1 game, 0 points, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls,
Season opener — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Greensboro Swarm
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd 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 NBA 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
Season opener — 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Iowa Wolves
Photo via @chicagobulls
