NBA News Blog – Page 221 – NBA Blog

Raptors sign Daniel Oturu to a 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed center Daniel Oturu from the NBA G League to a 10-day contract, via the COVID hardship exception.

Oturu, 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, is averaging 20.6 points, and team highs of 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, in 32.3 minutes in seven games with the Windy City Bulls. He is shooting .632 (60-95) from the field, .375 (6-16) from three-point range and .706 (12-17) at the free throw line. Oturu has scored in double figures in all seven games, including 20+ points five times, and recorded three double-doubles.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Oturu was picked 33rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft. He was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers where he averaged 1.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 5.4 minutes in 30 games as a rookie last season.

Oturu played two collegiate seasons at Minnesota (2018-20), averaging 20.1 points and 11.3 rebounds in 31 games as a sophomore. For his efforts he earned All-Big Ten first team honours.

Atlanta Hawks sign Anthony “Cat” Barber and Malik Ellison to 10-day contracts

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guards Anthony “Cat” Barber and Malik Ellison to 10-day contracts.

Barber has appeared in 14 games (three starts) with the College Park Skyhawks this season, Atlanta’s NBA G League affiliate, averaging 13.1 points, a team-high 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game (.445 FG%, .367 3FG%, .759 FT%). The 6-1 point guard was recently named to the NBA G League All-Showcase Team after tallying 24.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the team’s two wins at the annual event (.531 FG%, .500 3FG%, .875 FT%). He recorded his first career triple-double in a 141-89 win over the Texas Legends on Dec. 22, registering 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 31 minutes.

Barber, who owns five years of NBA G League experience, has played for the Skyhawks (2019-20, 2021-22), Erie BayHawks (2018-19), Greensboro Swarm (2016-19) and Delaware Blue Coats (2016-17). He has appeared in 163 NBA G League contests (87 starts) averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 30.0 minutes over his career (.446 FG%, .303 3FG%, .723 FT%).

In addition to his five years in the NBA G League, Barber brings three years of international experience to Atlanta, having played for four teams during those three seasons: Ironi Nahariya (Israel; 2017-18, 2018-19), Enel Brindisi (Italy; 2017-18), Guelph Nighthawks (Canada; 2020-21) and Mitteldeutscher BC (Germany; 2020-21).

After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Barber signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Aug. 31, 2016. He saw action in two preseason contests with the Sixers before being waived on Oct. 24, 2016. Barber played with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and with the Dallas Mavericks in 2017 in Orlando.

The North Carolina State product appeared in 104 games (84 starts) over his three-year collegiate career, averaging 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 31.3 minutes (.428 FG%, .347 3FG%, .793 FT%). The 173-pound guard ranks 17th in NC State history in career points (1,507) and eighth in total assists (403).

Ellison, the son of Savannah native and former No. 1 overall pick Pervis Ellison, has appeared in 14 games (eight starts) as a rookie this season for the College Park Skyhawks, registering 10.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game (.505 FG%, .423 3FG%, .640 FT%).

The 6-6 guard played collegiately at St. John’s (2015-17), Pittsburgh (2018-19) and Hartford (2019-20). As a senior at Hartford, Ellison appeared in 23 games (all starts) and averaged 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34.8 minutes, garnering America East First Team honors (.514 FG%, .630 FT%). Throughout his collegiate career, he saw action in 112 contests (74 starts), notching 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.8 minutes (.455 FG%, .304 3FG%, .612 FT%).

Barber will wear No. 5, while Ellison will wear No. 28.

Boston Celtics sign Al-Farouq Aminu and Norvel Pelle to 10-day contracts

The Boston Celtics have signed 10-year NBA veteran Al-Farouq Aminu and center Norvel Pelle to 10-day contracts, the team announced today.

Aminu, 31, has played in 711 career NBA games (445 starts) over 10 seasons with the LA Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, Portland, Orlando, and Chicago, averaging 7.5 points (42.0% FG, 33.2% 3-PT, 74.6% FT), 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 24.9 minutes. Originally selected eighth overall by the Clippers in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest, Aminu has produced 11.3 points on 43.4% shooting (39.1% 3-PT), 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 40 career NBA playoff games (33 starts) across five separate postseason appearances.

Pelle, 28, has competed in parts of two NBA seasons with Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Sacramento, and New York from 2019-20 to 2020-21, averaging 2.1 points on 52.4% shooting, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots in 37 games. He played in 24 of his career 37 games with the 76ers as a rookie in 2019-20, tallying 2.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Pelle joins the Celtics from the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League, where he posted 8.9 points on 51.9% shooting (87.5% FT), 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in nine games (six starts).

Aminu will wear number 72, and Pelle will wear number 29 for Boston.

Memphis Grizzlies sign Tyrell Terry and Shaq Buchanan to 10-day contracts

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guards Tyrell Terry and Shaq Buchanan to 10-day contracts, under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

Terry (6-2, 170) appeared in 11 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season, totaling 11 points, six rebounds and six assists in 56 minutes following a one-year collegiate career at Stanford University. The No. 31 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the 21-year-old competed in 13 games (all starts) for the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle last season and averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.08 steals in 29.4 minutes while shooting 42.4% from the field and 33.9% from 3-point range.

Buchanan (6-3, 190) has appeared in 61 games (31 starts) in three seasons with the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle following a two-year collegiate career at Murray State University. Unselected in the 2019 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old has appeared in 13 games for the Hustle this season and has averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.69 steals in 35.5 minutes while shooting 40.3% from the field and 27.5% from 3-point range.

Detroit Pistons sign Derrick Walton Jr. and Cassius Stanley to 10-day contracts

The Detroit Pistons have signed Derrick Walton Jr. and Cassius Stanley to 10-day contracts, using the COVID-related hardship allowance.

Walton, 6-0, 185, has appeared in 12 games this season with the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons’ G League affiliate. He posted averages of 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 35.9 minutes per game.

Walton has three years of NBA experience, posting clips of 2.0 points and 1.7 assists in 9.4 minutes over 42 NBA games (one start). He most recently suited up for the Pistons in 2019-20 after spending previous seasons in Miami, Toronto, and with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Detroit native played four seasons collegiately at the University of Michigan averaging 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 31.9 minutes in 127 career games.

He will wear No. 25 for the Pistons.

Stanley, 6-5, 190, has appeared in 11 games this season with the Motor City Cruise, tallying averages of 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 22.4 minutes per game.

Stanley has one year of NBA experience with the Indiana Pacers (2020-21), posting clips of 1.5 points and 0.8 rebounds in 3.9 minutes over 24 games. The Los Angeles native played one year at Duke University and was the 54th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

He will wear No. 14 for the Pistons.

Lakers sign Darren Collison and Stanley Johnson to 10-day contracts

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Darren Collison and forward Stanley Johnson to 10-day contracts pursuant to the NBA Hardship Exception provisions, it was announced today.

Collison has appeared in 708 career games (518 starts) for Indiana, Sacramento, LA Clippers, Dallas and New Orleans, averaging 12.5 points (.471 FG%, .394 3FG%), 2.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.4 minutes.

Johnson has appeared in 371 career games (77 starts) for the Raptors, Pelicans and Pistons, averaging 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.7 minutes. He most recently played six games for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 30.6 minutes per game.

Dallas Mavericks sign Charlie Brown Jr. to a 10-day contract

The Dallas Mavericks have signed guard Charlie Brown Jr. to a 10-day contract, under the COVID-related hardship allowance.

Brown Jr. (6-6, 199) appeared in 10 games for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 2.0 points. He has also been on the rosters of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder since going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft.

This season, Brown Jr. is averaging 16.8 points (.457% FG, .400% 3FG, .850% FT), 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 steals in 11 games (all starts) with the G League Delaware Blue Coats. He’s also played stints with the Iowa Wolves (2020-21) and College Park Skyhawks (2019-20) of the G League.

Brown Jr., a native of Philadelphia, played two seasons for Saint Joseph’s, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 34.9 minutes in 63 games (61 starts) before declaring the NBA Draft.

Brown Jr. will wear #44.

Atlanta Hawks sign Wes Iwundu to a 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks have shooting guard Wes Iwundu to a 10-day contract.

Selected by the Orlando Magic with the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Iwundu has appeared in 223 games (50 starts) throughout his NBA career, compiling averages of 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes (.407 FG%, .799 FT%). The 6-6 shooting guard has suited up for the Magic (2017-20), Dallas Mavericks (2020-21) and New Orleans Pelicans (2020-21). He appeared in 10 playoff games with the Magic during the 2019 and 2020 postseasons.

During the 2017-18 season, the Houston, TX native saw action in nine games (all starts), with the Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of Orlando, tallying 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.0 minutes (.392 FG%, .755 FT%).

Iwundu was a four-year player at Kansas State University, appearing in 132 games (123 starts), owning averages of 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.2 minutes (.463 FG%, .338 3FG%, .688 FT%). He was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team twice (2016, 2017) and the Big 12 All-Defensive Team once (2016).

Iwundu will wear No. 24.

Milwaukee Bucks sign Javin DeLaurier to a 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed center Javin DeLaurier to a 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance.

DeLaurier (Duh-lore-ee-aye) has appeared in 12 games (5 starts) with the Wisconsin Herd this season and is averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.0 minutes per game while shooting 60% from the field. The 6-10, 234-pound center spent the 2021 preseason with the Bucks, appearing in four preseason games.

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Duke, DeLaurier played the 2020-21 season with both the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League and the Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

DeLaurier will wear number 12 with the Bucks.

Chicago Bulls sign Ersan Ilyasova and Mac McClung to 10-day contracts

The Chicago Bulls have signed forward Ersan Ilyasova and guard Mac McClung to 10-day contracts pursuant to the NBA’s COVID-related hardship allowance.

Ilyasova (6-9, 235) is a 13-year NBA veteran with stops in Milwaukee, Detroit, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Utah. Drafted 36th overall by the Bucks in 2005, he made his NBA debut in the 2006-07 season, and then played two seasons overseas in 2007-08 and 2008-09 before coming back to the NBA in 2009-10. He owns career NBA averages of 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 23.0 minutes per game over 825 games (424 starts). Ilyasova has shot .443 from the field in his career, as well as .367 from three and .777 from the free throw line.

Most recently with the Jazz in 2020-21, he averaged 3.8 points through 17 games. Ilyasova played a career-high 82 games in 2016-17 as he moved between the Thunder, 76ers and Hawks. He also posted a near career-high 13.1 points per game that season. His career high season in scoring came in 2012-13 as a member of the Bucks with 13.2 points per game. Ilyasova has eight season of postseason experience, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals with Milwaukee in 2019. He has averaged 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds over 52 playoff games (25 starts). Ilyasova was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on March 11, 2012, and he has been top-5 in the NBA in 3-point percentage two times: 2011-12 (2nd, .455) and 2012-13 (4th, .444).

McClung (6-2, 185) joins the Bulls from the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League, where he has started all 13 games in which he’s played this season, averaging 19.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.15 steals per game. After going undrafted in 2021, he joined the L.A. Lakers’ Summer League squad and played in five games during the Las Vegas tournament with averages of 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. McClung then played in three games with the Lakers in the 2021 preseason, averaging 1.3 points per game, before being waived on Oct. 13.

McClung played his first two years at the collegiate level with Georgetown before transferring to Texas Tech ahead of the 2020-21 season, where he posted averages of 15.5 points and 2.1 assists over 29 games (29 starts) and was named an AP All-American Honorable Mention.

Ilyasova will wear number 77 and McClung will wear number 00.