Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Grizzlies sign GG Jackson II to Two-Way contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward GG Jackson II to a Two-Way contract.

Jackson II (6-9, 215), the No. 45 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was named to the 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team after appearing in 32 games (29 starts) and averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 31.9 minutes for the University of South Carolina.

The 18-year-old South Carolina native averaged 10.6 points, including 1.9 3-pointers made per game and 4.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes in eight games (two starts) during the 2023 Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA2K24 Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas.

Celtics sign Svi Mykhailiuk

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Svi Mykhailiuk.

Mykhailiuk, 6-7/205, split time between the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks last season where he appeared in 32 games (eight starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 14.6 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 42.4 percent from three.

The Cherkasy, Ukraine native has played in 252 career games (54 starts) and has also suited up for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Toronto Raptors during his five-year career. He owns career averages of 6.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from the field. Mykhailiuk was selected with the 47th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Kansas product appeared in 136 collegiate games (70 starts) in four seasons with the Jayhawks, averaging 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Mykhailiuk set the KU single-season three-point field goals made record with 115 threes and earned All-Big 12 honors his senior year.

Dallas Mavericks will play preseason game against Real Madrid at WiZink Center in Madrid October 10, 2023

The NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks will play a preseason game against reigning EuroLeague champion Real Madrid at the WiZink Center in Madrid on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at 8:45 p.m. CET, marking 35 years since the first NBA games in Spain in 1988. The matchup will be the NBA’s eighth game in the Spanish capital and 20th game in Spain overall.

The Mavericks currently feature four-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA First Team member Luka Dončić, who joined Real Madrid at the age of 13 and became the youngest-ever EuroLeague and EuroLeague Final Four MVP when he led Real Madrid to the 2018 EuroLeague title at age 19. The Mavericks also feature 2016 NBA champion and eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving.

Real Madrid features Spanish legend and former NBA draftee Sergio Llull as well as several former NBA players, including Rudy Fernández, Mario Hezonja, Džanan Musa, and Sergio Rodríguez. Real Madrid has won a record 36 La Liga ACB championships and is the winningest team in EuroLeague history with 11 titles.

The matchup marks the first preseason NBA game in Madrid since 2016, when Dončić and Real Madrid hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 1988, the Boston Celtics played two games in Madrid against the then Yugoslavian Men’s National Team and Real Madrid.

Prior to the game in Madrid, the Mavericks will play two preseason games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 5 and 7 as part of The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023.

“Bringing the live NBA experience directly to our passionate international fans is an important part of our year-round efforts to grow basketball and the NBA around the world,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We’re excited for the Mavericks to play Real Madrid and look forward to engaging with fans from Spain and across Europe around this historic matchup.”

“Following our preseason games in Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to play the game we love for the MFFLs in Madrid,” said Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “Our team is lucky to have one of the greatest international NBA ambassadors in Luka, and we look forward to connecting with Real Madrid and their fans.”

“Facing an NBA team is always special, but on this occasion even more so, as it will give us the opportunity to once again enjoy a Real Madrid legend and NBA star like Luka Dončić, who proudly carries the name of our club and presumes of being a Madridista wherever he goes,” said Real Madrid Ambassador Felipe Reyes. “It will be a great spectacle and a very exciting moment for all madridistas and basketball lovers.”

Bucks sign TyTy Washington Jr. to Two-Way contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed TyTy Washington Jr. to a Two-Way contract.

A 6-3 guard, Washington Jr. appeared in 31 games (2 starts) as a rookie with the Houston Rockets last season and averaged 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 14.0 minutes per game. The 21-year-old also played in 18 games (all starts) with the Rockets’ G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, last season and averaged 23.1 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34.7 minutes per game.

Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, Washington Jr. earned Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team honors following his lone season with the Wildcats in 2021-22. As a freshman, the Phoenix native saw action in 31 games, making 29 starts, and averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

NBA G League Ignite adds five veteran players to roster for 2023-24 NBA G League season

NBA G League Ignite today announced the addition of five veteran players to its roster for the 2023-24 NBA G League season. The signees include 2022-23 Ignite players John Jenkins and Eric Mika, NBA G League veterans Jeremy Pargo and David Stockton, and newcomer Admon Gilder.

“We have a great group of veterans who can help accelerate the growth and development of our young players both on and off the court,” said Ignite head coach Jason Hart. “Bringing back John Jenkins and Eric Mika was vital for us. Their production and professionalism had a tremendous impact on our team as a whole last season.”

A full breakdown of Ignite’s veteran signees is below.

Admon Gilder | Guard

Gilder joins Ignite after one season with the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In his lone season with the Surge, he averaged 9.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23 games. His international experience also includes stints in Israel, Poland, and Finland. Gilder played collegiately at Texas A&M and Gonzaga.

John Jenkins | Guard

Jenkins returns for his second season with Ignite after averaging a team-high 17.9 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 2022-23. Last season, Jenkins set several Ignite records, including the most points in a game (37), most 20-point games in a single season (14) and most three-pointers in a game (11). Jenkins, who was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 23rd pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, averaged 5.0 points in 171 games over six NBA seasons.

Eric Mika | Center

Mika returns for his second season with Ignite after appearing in 40 games and averaging 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists during the 2022-23 campaign. Mika ranked second on the team in both total rebounds (342) and assists (161), and third in blocks (28). He recorded the only triple-double in franchise history with 16 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Jan. 21, 2023, and posted the second most double-doubles in single season Ignite history (13).

Jeremy Pargo | Guard

Pargo averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 assists in 26 games with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League during the 2022-23 season. Over the past decade, Pargo has appeared in 86 NBA games with the Memphis Grizzles, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. Pargo has played internationally in China, Israel, Italy, Russia and Spain.

David Stockton | Guard

Stockton, an eight-year NBA G League veteran, has appeared in 220 NBA G League games and owns career averages of 16.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Last season, Stockton averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 assists with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers. He was eighth in the league in total assists (199) and set an NBA G League record for assists in a single game (19).

Lakers will unveil Kobe Bryant statue outside of team’s arena on February 8, 2024

On 2.8.24, fans can forever pay tribute to beloved Lakers Legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced today that they will unveil Kobe Bryant’s bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers’ home game that evening.

“As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” said Vanessa Bryant in a video to fans posted at 8:24 this morning. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever.”

Following his retirement, Kobe Bryant participated in the initial planning of the anticipated statue to come at Star Plaza. This is the first in a series of physical tributes to honor his legacy. Bryant will be the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn. The statue was created by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany.

“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles,” said Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers Governor. “There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements.”

The Feb. 8 ceremony will be outside the arena and details will be released in the coming months.

“Kobe’s transcendent spirit is always and forever in our hearts – inspiring us every day,” said Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. “And now, with the unveiling of this powerful and beautiful statue, he will have a physical presence, too. A place on the hallowed ground Kobe created, where we can all gather and pay honor to a mighty and great man.”

Washington Wizards 2023-24 preseason schedule

The Washington Wizards announced today the team’s four-game 2023 preseason schedule, which features two home games at Capital One Arena.

Washington will host the Cairns Taipans of the Australian National Basketball League at Capital One Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 10, to tip off the 2023 preseason slate and will follow that with a visit from the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, Oct. 12. The Wizards will conclude preseason play with a two-game trip with visits to New York on Oct. 18 and Toronto on Oct. 20. The team will begin regular season play on Oct. 25 at Indiana and will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 28 for the home opener.

Detroit Pistons 2023-24 preseason schedule

The Detroit Pistons announced today the team’s 2023-24 preseason schedule which features one home and three road games.

Detroit’s lone preseason home game features the Phoenix Suns visiting Little Caesars Arena on October 8.

The Pistons travel to Montréal to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 12, as part of the NBA Canada Series.

The team will then head to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a rematch with the Thunder (10/19) and wrap up the preseason schedule at Dallas (10/20).

Atlanta Hawks announce additions within Athletic Performance Team

The Atlanta Hawks today announced several additions within the Athletic Performance Team, including Director of Integrative Health Ray Chow, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Paddy Hogben, Upper Extremity Specialist Mojca “Mo” Herman, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Isaiah West, Assistant Physical Therapist Javan Francis and Performance Coach, Basketball Systems Nick Gibson. Director of Athletic Training Scottie Parker enters his 10th season with the organization, Assistant Athletic Trainer John Dusel returns for his sixth season, and Assistant Athletic Trainer Takahiro Uchida begins his fourth season.

Chow comes to Atlanta following 27 years as a massage therapist and assistant athletic trainer with the Toronto Raptors, where he also assisted with player strength and conditioning as well as nutrition. He served under every team president and general manager in Raptors history, including during the franchise’s 2019 NBA Championship season. A native of Myanmar, Chow graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s in Molecular Biology and from the Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy.

Parker came to the Hawks as assistant athletic trainer in 2014 before he was named head athletic trainer in 2017. Prior to joining the Hawks, Parker worked with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was part of the athletic training staff for the 2014 Super Bowl champions. Parker is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) by the National Athletic Trainers Association, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He graduated from University of Northwestern – St. Paul (MN) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Coaching. He earned his Master’s from California Baptist University in Athletic Training.

Hogben, originally from England, served as lead athletic development coach with the Geelong Football Club (Australian rules football) since 2020 after two years as lead performance specialist with P3 Peak Performance Project. He also has experience in professional rugby as strength and conditioning coach with Saracens RFC, Bedford Blues and with Bath Rugby. Hogben is a graduate of the University of Bath with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and holds a Master’s from the University of Bedfordshire.

Herman has worked in private practice and sports medicine for the past 20 years. For the last four years, she has owned and operated Pro Rehab with MO, specializing exclusively in elite and professional athletes. Herman has been a therapist consultant to NBA athletes since 2008. She is the past president of the American Society of Hand Therapists and a former elite collegiate and Olympic swimmer. Herman is a Certified Hand Therapist who graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Arts, both in Occupational Therapy.

Dusel originally joined the Hawks in 2018 following two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, finishing as the team’s assistant athletic trainer. He also has experience with Cressey Sports Performance. Dusel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of New England and a Master’s from East Tennessee State University in Sport Science.

Uchida, a native of Japan, came to the Hawks as a seasonal assistant athletic trainer in 2020 before a promotion to assistant athletic trainer in 2021. He has prior experience with the Los Angeles Rams, Stanford University and University of Hawaii at Manoa. Uchida owns a Bachelor of Science from Lindenwood University and a Master’s in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa.

West joins the Hawks from NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), where he served as athletic performance coach for the last three years. West previously worked for Healthy Baller Speed and Performance Center, The St. James, Cressey Sports Performance and the Washington Mystics. West earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from George Mason University.

Francis has worked the last four years at P3 Peak Performance Project as a sports biomechanist. From 2021-23, he also served as a graduate research assistant at the Georgia State University Biomechanics Laboratory. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management from Claflin University, Francis moved onto Georgia State, earning a Master of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Gibson rejoins the Hawks, where he was basketball operations coordinator from 2013-15. Most recently, he’s worked as director of basketball at P3 Sport Science in Atlanta for the last three years. Prior to that, he coached internationally with the Sichuan Blue Whales and Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association. Gibson also served as player development director for the Tunisian National Team during the 2021 Olympic Qualifiers and AfroBasket, where Tunisia took home the Gold Medal. Gibson is a graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s in Broadcast and Digital Journalism.