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There are plenty of interesting storylines involving former Carolina players as NBA teams begin training camp. Two small forwards will start, another has a decent chance to start, and one or two others are possible starters, while Danny Green will likely spend most of the season rehabbing after an offseason trade.
Could the one-and-done era be about to end, with players such as Coby White, Cole Anthony, Day’Ron Sharpe and Nassir Little never playing for Carolina? It could happen. According to The Athletic’s sources, eligibility for the NBA draft could be lowered from 19 years old to 18 as early as the 2024 draft.
Justin Jackson has signed a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics after a 10-day stint last season with the reigning Eastern Conference champions. The member of the 2017 UNC NCAA champion team spent most of last season in the G League with the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate, but played one game with Boston and six with the Phoenix Suns. Jackson was out for most of his 10-day stay with the Celtics under the league’s health-and-safety protocols.
Day’Ron Sharpe and Justin Jackson finished their NBA Summer League play Saturday night with Sharpe’s Brooklyn team knocking off Jackson’s Boston team 102–96 and Sharpe putting up his fourth double-double in five games.
Day’Ron Sharpe has averaged a double-double during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and kept that momentum going on Thursday while Justin Jackson had another solid game. Sharpe collected 20 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks Thursday as his Brooklyn team easily defeated Minnesota 102–83.
Brady Manek continues to make a solid contribution to the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team even though his playing time continues to be limited. In 15 minutes off the bench Wednesday afternoon, Manek contributed 12 points and seven rebounds and was +12 in the Hornets’ 91–80 victory in Las Vegas over Cleveland, pushing their record to 2–1.
It’s hard to understand why Justin Jackson wasn’t able to get more than a 10-day contract in the NBA contract last season. All Jackson can do to change that is to take advantage of his opportunities to show what he can do, and he did that Tuesday night. Jackson started and scored a team-high 24 points and five 3-pointers to help the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team hold off a big Golden State rally for a 103–92 victory in Las Vegas. Jackson, who pulled down three rebounds, scored 11 points in the first quarter.
While he may not be getting much of a chance to show what he can do, the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team has thrived with Brady Manek on the court in the first weekend of games in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Day’Ron Sharpe has been impressive and wowed the crowd with a Sunday dunk.
Brady Manek makes his professional basketball debut Friday in the NBA’s 11-day Las Vegas Summer League that begins Thursday. Manek and Day’Ron Sharpe are the only Tar Heels who will play in the league. Each NBA team has representation and will play five games between Thursday and July 16, and every game will be televised.
By R.L. Bynum Justin Jackson was feeling the patriotism as he helped the United States World Cup Qualifying Team advance … More
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