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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Thomas Bryant, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka.
Bryant, the 42nd overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, acquired via trade with the Utah Jazz on draft night, averaged 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 assists in 34 games (all starts) for Indiana University last season.
In eight games played for the Lakers in the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League, Bryant notched 5.1 points (.667 FG%) and 3.3 rebounds in 13.4 minutes.
A poll on InsideHoops.com that ran in part of June and part of July asked which 2017 NBA draft prospect will go on to have the best NBA career.
With over 1,200 votes tallied, here’s how fans responded:
Lonzo Ball 28%
Jayson Tatum 17%
Markelle Fultz 14%
Josh Jackson 12%
De’Aaron Fox 10%
Dennis Smith 8%
Malik Monk 2%
Jonathan Isaac 2%
Other 6%
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The Kings have signed forward JaKarr Sampson and forward Jack Cooley to two-way contracts.
Sampson, a 6-9, 207-pound forward and 2017 NBA G-League Western Conference All-Star joins the Kings as a two-way player after spending last season with the Iowa Energy, where he accrued averages of 15.1 points (.489 FG%, .287 3pt%, .688 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 25.7 minutes in 47 games (22 starts).
Sampson recently appeared with the Kings NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas, posting 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in four contests, including nine points, seven rebounds, and one assist in 23 minutes versus Milwaukee (7/12/17).
Undrafted after two noteworthy seasons at St. John’s, Sampson earned 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year honors after logging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks in 33 contests. The Ohio native signed with Philadelphia after his sophomore season, playing for both the 76ers and their G-League affiliate, Delaware 76ers until 2016. Sampson posted 5.2 points (.422 FG%, .670 FT%), 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists as an NBA rookie in 2014-15, appearing in 74 games (started 32). He accrued similar averages with the Denver Nuggets during his most recent NBA stint in 2015-16 prior to an All-Star caliber campaign in the G-League last season.
Cooley joins the Kings after a productive tournament during the 2017 NBA Las Vegas Summer League in Las Vegas, where the 6-10, 274-pound forward registered 9.2 points (.640 FG%, 1-1 3pt, .619 FT%), 6.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 17 minutes in five games. He posted two double-doubles, highlighted by 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block against Phoenix (7/7/17) and 13 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3pt, 4-8 FT), a game-high 11 rebounds, two steals and one block versus the Suns (7/14/17). The 2017 Summer League marked Cooley’s fourth consecutive year competing in the event.
A former Notre Dame standout, Cooley spent last season with German club MHP Risen Ludwigsburg, accruing averages of 13.0 points (.569 FG%, 1-1 3pt, .697 FT%) and 6.8 rebounds per game in 37 contests, pacing the team in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
Undrafted in 2013 after four years in South Bend, Cooley averaged 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest his senior season, earning First-Team All Big East accolades en route to helping the Fighting Irish reach the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in his collegiate career. He went on to play in both the Orlando and Las Vegas Summer Leagues before signing with Trabzonspor of the Turkish League for the 2013-14 campaign.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed rookie guard Terrance Ferguson.
Ferguson (6-7, 184), was drafted by Oklahoma City with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, after spending last season with the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League. He averaged 4.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game and scored in double figures four times, including a season-high 13 points twice.
According to the Oklahoman, “as the 21st pick in the draft, Ferguson is guaranteed a rookie-scale salary for his first two seasons, with team options on his third and fourth years. He can make as much as 120 percent of the rookie-scale salary or as little as 80 percent. ”
The Tulsa, Okla. native, has been a member of gold-medal winning teams in three different FIBA events, going 19-0 in major competitions during his career. Ferguson averaged 7.1 points on 40.0 percent (48-of-120) shooting from the field and 33.3 percent (24-of-72) shooting from beyond the arc, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.
As a high schooler, he spent three seasons at Prime Prep Academy and played his senior season at Advanced Prep International, both based in Dallas, Texas. He played for the U.S. Junior Select Team at the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 21 points in 15 minutes. At the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game, he recorded 10 points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.
Here’s a Pacers news announcement:
As they prepare to begin their next 50 years, the Indiana Pacers Friday night unveiled new uniforms, a new on-court logo and a new brand platform during the River West StreetFest on the city’s Westside.
In partnership with the National Basketball Association’s new agreement with Nike as the official apparel provider, the Pacers unveiled their “Association” (white) and “Icon” (navy) uniforms.
The Pacers also displayed their new logo that features an outline of the state of Indiana as well as a new brand platform, “We Grow Basketball Here.”
“As we enter our 51st season, we wanted to create a uniform that stayed true to our traditional roots while becoming a bit more modern in the process,” said Todd Taylor, chief marketing officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We believe the new uniform with both modern and traditional elements is the balance we were looking for.”
As for the new slogan and logo, Taylor remarked, “Indiana is basketball. As a state, we have a very rich history and tradition. And as the state’s NBA team, we want to nurture the continued growth of basketball – across all levels and throughout the state – to inspire the spirit and passion deeply rooted in our game.”
Pacers players, including returning starting center Myles Turner, guard Lance Stephenson, forward Glenn Robinson III, first-round draft choice T.J. Leaf and second-round selection Ike Anigbogu joined in the StreetFest festivities on the city’s near Westside. The new Pacemates squad, mascot Boomer and the Power Pack, Boom Babies and the High Octane Drum Line also performed.
Stephenson said he likes the new uniforms. “It’s a great new look for the new look Pacers,” he said. “They fit great, they feel great. I think fans are really going to like them. I like them so much I’m going to buy my own jersey.”
Turner agreed. “I think Nike did a really good job with the look of the whole uniform, from the shorts to the tops,” he said. “Aside from the look, they did their homework into making them comfortable for the players. These uniforms are going to be very popular.”
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Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has waived guard Briante Weber.
Weber (6-2, 165, Virginia Commonwealth) signed two consecutive 10-day contracts with the Hornets on Feb. 27, 2017, and March 9, 2017, before signing a multi-year deal on March 19, 2017. He appeared in 13 games for the Hornets, averaging 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 12.2 minutes per game.
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The Nets have requested waivers on guard Archie Goodwin.
Goodwin appeared in 12 games for Brooklyn in the 2016-17 season, recording averages of 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 15.4 minutes per game. He originally signed the first of two 10-day contracts with the Nets on March 15, 2017, before inking a multi-year contract with the team on April 4, 2017. In 165 career games with Brooklyn, New Orleans and Phoenix, the four-year NBA veteran has averaged 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14.5 minutes per contest.
Watch AAU basketball live right now, featuring LaMelo Ball’s team vs Zion Williamson’s team. Here’s the Big Baller Brand vs SC Supreme live game stream:
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Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed All-NBA guard John Wall to a multi-year contract extension.
“John is an exceptional talent and a cornerstone for our team – and our city,” said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman and Majority Owner of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. “This signing means stability for the Wizards for years to come and solidifies our commitment to drafting and then developing talent here at home. It’s John’s unique blend of skill and leadership that makes us a championship-caliber team.”
According to the Washington Post, the contract is “a four-year deal with a player option in the fourth year. The designated player veteran extension will keep him as the team’s cornerstone and pay him $170 million.”
With Wall at the helm, the Wizards won 49 games during the 2016-17 campaign (the most since the 1978-79 season), claimed the Southeast Division title (the first division title since the 1978-79 season) and returned to the playoffs, joining Cleveland as the only other team in the East to advance to the semifinals in three of the last four seasons. Along the way, he averaged career highs in scoring (23.1), field goal percentage (.451), assists (10.7) and steals (2.0), became the first player in league history to average at least 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game and joined James Harden and Russell Westbrook as the only players to average a point/assist double-double during the regular season. He had the third-most double-doubles (50) among NBA guards, had the third-most games (49) with 10 or more assists and led the Eastern Conference in assists (831) for a fourth straight season (joining Isaiah Thomas from 1980-86 and Rajon Rondo from 2008-12 as one of three players to do so in league history).
Those accomplishments earned Wall All-NBA Third Team honors and his fourth straight All-Star selection. He was also tabbed the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December and was a two-time Player of the Week honoree.
“Returning to the only team I’ve known in my professional career was an easy decision for me,” said Wall. “I want to thank my family, Mr. Leonsis, Ernie Grunfeld, all of my coaches and my teammates for their amazing support over the last seven years. I understand my role as the leader of this franchise and I will continue to work hard to improve my game and make our team better. Washington, D.C., is my second home and I take seriously my efforts in the community and look forward to strengthening that bond. Our fans are amazing and I’m excited to bring them and this city continued success and a team they can be proud of.”
The Wizards selected Wall with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky. He has averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting .433 from the field and .321 from three-point range in 500 games (488 starts) in his seven seasons with the Wizards. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,610) and steals (870). In 31 playoff appearances, Wall holds averages of 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in 38.7 minutes per game. During Washington’s 2017 postseason run, Wall averaged 27.2 points, 10.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals. He became just the eighth player in league history to average at least 25 points and 10 assists in the playoffs (minimum three games). Of those eight players, only Wall and Westbrook (2015-16) maintained those averages for more than 10 playoff games in a single postseason.
“John’s passion for winning, dedication to his teammates and commitment to the community have been on display since we drafted him seven years ago,” said Grunfeld. “He has constantly worked to improve and expand his game and has developed into an All-NBA player who has elevated our franchise and electrified our fans. We are thrilled that he will continue to lead us through the prime years of his career and look forward to watching as he solidifies his place among the greatest players in our team’s history.”
Wall joins Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Chris Paul as the only players in NBA history to average at least 17 points, eight assists and four rebounds through the first 345 games of their career. He became the sixth fastest player in NBA history (124 games) to reach the 2,000 points/1,000 assists plateau and was the fastest player (134 games) to reach 2,200 points, 1,000 assists, 600 rebounds, 200 steals and 90 blocks since steals and blocks became an official stat in the early 1970s. Wall became the first player in NBA history to record totals of at least 1,800 points, 800 assists, 150 steals and 50 blocks in a season during the 2016-17 campaign, and during the same season, was just the third player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals since 2000-01. He is one of four players with 9,000 points and 4,500 assists through the age of 26 and is the third-youngest player ever to record a triple-double in NBA history at the age of 20 years and 65 days old (11/10/10).
The Detroit Pistons and Flagstar Bank, the largest savings bank headquartered in Michigan and the fifth-largest bank mortgage originator in the country, are unveiling a multi-year corporate partnership deal that brands Flagstar Bank as the franchise’s first-ever jersey partner and designates it the official banking and mortgage sponsor of the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit becomes the tenth NBA team to announce a jersey partner.
“This is a dynamic partnership between two organizations committed to building a better Detroit,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “Beyond putting the Flagstar name on our Pistons jerseys, we will be partnering on an education initiative that will benefit schoolchildren in Detroit. I’m really proud that this is more than just a business and marketing initiative. It’s about working together to support the revitalization of our city.”
Flagstar Bank President and CEO Alessandro DiNello described the partnership as a win-win for two of Michigan’s most dynamic and innovative companies. “Like the Pistons, Flagstar is a community-focused Michigan organization committed to instilling pride in our region and contributing to its vitality,” said Mr. DiNello. “At Flagstar, we have a 30-year history of community involvement and investment. We’re pleased to partner with the Pistons to bring good things to the community we share.”
Flagstar Bank will have their logo prominently featured on the left front strap of official Detroit Pistons team jerseys at the start of the 2017-18 NBA season.
“Thanks to the brand exposure with the Pistons, we will have an unmatched opportunity to tell the story of Flagstar’s transformation to a full-service community bank with a thriving commercial business,” Mr. DiNello said. “And the chance to share crafted solutions Flagstar customers love with Pistons fans through co-branded credit and debit cards and checking accounts built just for them, is truly exciting.”
Flagstar’s jersey partnership coincides with the beginning of the NBA’s new partnership with Nike, who will provide all uniforms and apparel for the club also beginning with the 2017-18 season. Nike used advanced technology to design a refined version of the Nike Aeroswift basketball uniform with significant changes to weight, fit and construction. A tailored chassis provides precision fit to ensure supreme comfort for the athlete and a combination of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester to remove moisture, wicking sweat 30-percent faster than current NBA uniforms. Built with finishing details that enable freedom of movement, the Nike Aeroswift uniform features relocated armhole, neck and side seams, modified hemlines on the bottom of the jersey and shorts, and an altered back shoulder for a vastly improved fit.