Orlando Magic Blog – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Magic guard Markelle Fultz out with toe fracture

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz has suffered a fracture in his big left toe. No surgery is required.

He has been placed in a walking boot and his return to play will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation and treatment.

Fultz suffered the injury during a preseason workout prior to returning to Orlando and imaging confirmed the fracture.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Fultz is entering the second season of a 3-year, $50 million contract ($35 million guaranteed) he signed with the Magic in December 2020. He has a $16.5 million salary for 2022-23 that’s fully guaranteed, while $2 million of his $17 million salary is guaranteed for the 2023-24 season. Next season’s salary will become fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster past July 1, 2023.”

Fultz (6’4”, 210, 5/29/98) played in 18 games (three starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 10.8 ppg., 5.5 apg., 2.7 rpg. and 1.11 stlpg. in 20.0 minpg., while shooting .806 (25-31) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the team in assists seven times. Fultz scored in double figures 13 times, including a season-high 19 points on Mar. 30 @ Washington. He dished out 10+ assists twice, including a career-high 15 assists on Apr. 10 vs. Miami, and had one double-double.

Training camp for the Orlando Magic begins on Tuesday, Sep. 27

Magic sign Aleem Ford and Zavier Simpson, waive Joel Ayayi

The Orlando Magic have signed free agents Aleem Ford and Zavier Simpson, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, the Orlando Magic have waived guard Joel Ayayi.

Training camp begins on Tuesday, September 27 at the AdventHealth Training Center.

Ford (6’8”, 220, 12/22/97) played in five games last season with Orlando, after signing a 10-day contract on Dec. 17. He averaged 2.8 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 14.7 minpg. Ford also appeared in 31 games (25 starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 12.5 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 31.1 minpg., while shooting .387 (82-211) from three-point range.

Ford played in 126 career games (82 starts) during four seasons at the University of Wisconsin (2017-21), averaging 6.5 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. in 22.4 minpg.

Ford will wear #12 with the Orlando Magic.

Simpson (6’0”, 190, 2/11/97) played and started in four games last season with Oklahoma City, averaging 11.0 ppg., 7.5 apg., 5.3 rpg., 1.25 stlpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 43.5 minpg. He also played in all 35 games (29 starts) with Oklahoma City of the NBA G League, averaging 14.5 ppg., 6.8 apg., 5.1 rpg. and 1.49 stlpg. in 32.4 minpg.

Simpson has appeared in 50 career NBA G League games (44 starts), all with Oklahoma City, averaging 13.1 ppg., 6.6 apg., 4.8 rpg. and 1.32 stlpg. in 31.2 minpg.

Simpson played in 146 career games (96 starts) during four seasons at the University of Michigan (2016-20), averaging 7.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 25.2 minpg. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team twice (2018-19, 2019-20) and to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team in 2018-19. Simpson finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in games played, tied (with Jon Teske) as the Wolverines’ all-time winningest player (108 victories) and second on the school’s all-time list in assists (667).

Orlando’s roster now stands at 20 players.

Orlando Magic announce basketball operations promotions and staff additions

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced a series of basketball operations promotions yesterday.

Pete D’Alessandro, who joined the Magic in 2017, has been promoted to associate general manager. David Bencs has been elevated to an assistant general manager. Adetunji Adedipe has been promoted to vice president of player personnel. Stephen Mervis has been promoted to vice president of basketball strategy & evaluation. Larry Thompson has been promoted to vice president of security.

Kevin Tiller has been named the general manager of the Lakeland Magic.

Other promotions include: Becky Bonner (director of player services/pro personnel), Orlando Boyer (team services coordinator), Altavious Carter (assistant defensive coordinator/video), David Corbett (senior data scientist), Matthew Devita (manager of basketball systems), Randy Gregory (assistant offensive coordinator/video), Regan Harris (assistant director of team services), Soumya Kambhampati (senior quantitative researcher), Marty McClain (assistant director of security), Chris Newton (director of security), Trent Pennington (assistant general manager Lakeland Magic), Rodney Powell (senior director of team operations).

The Magic also announced the following staff additions: Ameer Bahhur (head video coordinator), Michael Belay (graduate assistant/scouting), Calin Butterfield (strength & conditioning coach), Ben Kimsey (graduate assistant/analytics), Davonte Fitzgerald (video assistant), Michael Franco (mental performance coach), Corey Hawkins (video assistant), Blake Huggins (video assistant), Xadiel Jusino (building maintenance technician), Tony Marlow (security assistant), Aubrey McCreary (skill development coach), Sean O’Brien (video assistant), Todor Pandov (head strength & conditioning coach), Kristen Perfetto (executive assistant to president and head coach), Jaclyn Sklaver (head of performance nutrition), Khaila Webb (graduate assistant/strategy), Daniel Yu (applied sports scientist/assistant strength & conditioning coach).

Magic guard Gary Harris undergoes knee surgery

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has undergone arthroscopic surgery to perform a meniscectomy in his left knee.

His return date will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation and treatment.

Harris (6’4”, 210, 9/14/94) played in 61 games (30 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.1 ppg., 2.0 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 28.4 minpg., while shooting .384 (116-302) from three-point range and .874 (83-95) from the free throw line.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Harris, who was on an expiring contract for 2021-22 that paid him $20.5 million, signed a 2-year, $26 million extension to return to Orlando before free agency officially started July 1. He has a $13 million, fully-guaranteed salary for the 2022-23 season and a $13 million non-guaranteed salary for 2023-24. His 2023-24 salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30, 2023.”

Originally selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Chicago, Harris has appeared in 468 career NBA regular season games (374 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 11.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting.363 (705-1,944) from three-point range and .812 (719-885) from the free throw line. He has also played in 28 career playoff games (26 starts), averaging 10.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 32.0 minpg.

Harris was acquired by Orlando from Denver, along with R.J. Hampton and a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Gary Clark and Aaron Gordon on Mar. 25, 2021. He has played in 81 games (49 starts) with the Magic, averaging 10.9 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.9 apg. in 27.5 minpg., while shooting .380 (140-368) from three-point range and .874 (125-143) from the free throw line.

Orlando Magic sign Kevon Harris to a two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Kevon Harris to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Harris will occupy the Magic’s second two-way roster spot, along with [Admiral] Schofield, and will also be eligible to play for the Lakeland Magic, Orlando’s G League affiliate.”

Harris (6’6”, 216, 6/24/97) played in 24 games (23 starts) last season with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, averaging 15.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg. Most recently, he played and started in all five games with Minnesota during the NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022, averaging 15.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 27.1 minpg.

Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Harris has played in 31 career NBA G League regular season games (23 starts), all with Raptors 905, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 25.5 minpg.

Harris played in 127 career games (104 starts) during four seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2016-20), averaging 14.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .397 (188-474) from three-point range. As a senior (2019-20), he played and started in 31 games, averaging 17.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.52 stlpg. in 29.3 minpg., while shooting .413 (59-143) from three-point range. Harris was named First Team All-Southland Conference and the 2019-20 Southland Conference Player of the Year. He also earned Second Team All-Southland Conference twice (2017-18, 2018-19).

Harris will wear #7 with the Orlando Magic.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.

Orlando Magic re-sign Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent forward Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced yesterday.

Schofield (6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) played in 38 games (one start) last season with Orlando, averaging 3.8 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 12.3 minpg. He also played and started in six games with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 19.2 ppg., 7.5 rpg. and 3.0 apg. in 29.4 minpg. Schofield originally signed a 10-day contract with Orlando via hardship exception by the NBA on December 17, then to a second 10-day contract on December 27, before signing a two-way contract on January 6.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 71 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 2.8 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 11.8 minpg. He has also appeared in 53 career NBA G League regular season games (50 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.8 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 29.5 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Schofield wears #25 for the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic sign rookie Caleb Houstan

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Caleb Houstan, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Houstan was selected by Orlando in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Houstan (6’8”, 205, 1/9/03) played and started in all 34 games last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan, averaging 10.1 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 32.1 minpg., while shooting .355 (60-169) from three-point range. He led the Wolverines in three-point field goals made. Houstan scored in double figures 17 times and had 20+ points twice. He had ten games with 3+ three-pointers made and four games with 4+ three-pointers. Houstan was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the period ending Jan. 24 and helped Michigan reach the Sweet Sixteen during the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive time.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Houstan played three seasons at Montverde Academy in Montverde, FL. During his sophomore (2019-20) and junior (2020-21) seasons, he helped Montverde to a No. 1 prep ranking in the nation and back-to-back Geico Prep National titles. As a junior (2020-21), Houstan was named Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year, while also being named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith Second Team All-American and to the Sports Illustrated All-American Third Team. He reclassified from the Class of 2022 to 2021, foregoing his senior season to head to Michigan. Houstan was also a member of the Canadian National Team during the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, helping Canada to the bronze medal (only its second medal in World Cup history), the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup (as a 15-year-old).

Orlando Magic re-sign Mo Bamba

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent center Mo Bamba, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced yesterday (Friday, July 8).

Bamba (7’0”, 235, 5/12/98) played in 71 games (69 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 10.6 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 1.2 apg. and a team-high 1.66 blkpg. in 25.7 minpg., while shooting .381 (107-281) from three-point range. He ranked sixth in the NBA in blocked shots and tied for 28th in rebounding. Bamba led (or tied) the team in scoring seven times, in rebounding 25 times and in assists twice. He scored in double figures 41 times, 20+ points four times and 30+ points once, including a career-high 32 points on Jan. 19 @ Philadelphia. Bamba had 10+ rebounds 25 times, including a career-high-tying 18 rebounds on Oct. 29 @ Toronto and had 20 double-doubles. He also had at least one blocked shot 55 times and two-or-more blocks 37 times, including a career-high six blocked shots on Nov. 29 @ Philadelphia and Apr. 5 vs. Cleveland.

Originally selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Orlando, Bamba has played in 226 career NBA regular season games (75 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 7.7 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 1.44 blkpg. in 18.6 minpg.

Prior to this year’s NBA Draft, Bamba decided to change his uniform number to #11, which he had when he was in high school. He wore #5 during his first four NBA campaigns with the Magic.

Orlando Magic sign Bol Bol

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent center Bol Bol, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Bol (7’2”, 220, 11/16/99, #10) played in 14 games last season with Denver, averaging 2.4 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 5.8 minpg. He scored in double figures once – a career-high 11 points on Jan. 1 @ Houston. Bol was also with Boston and Orlando during the season, but did not appear in any games with either team after undergoing surgery on his right foot on Jan. 18.

Originally selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by Miami, Bol has played in 53 career NBA regular season games (two starts), all with Denver, averaging 2.7 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 6.2 minpg. He was acquired by Orlando from Boston, along with D.J. Dozier, a future second round draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for a future second round draft pick on Feb. 10, 2021.

Orlando Magic sign rookie Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic yesterday signed forward Paolo Banchero, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

Banchero was selected by Orlando in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in all 39 games last season as a freshman at Duke University, averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg., while shooting .478 (245-513) from the floor. He led all true freshmen in the nation in scoring. Banchero led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in minutes played. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and sixth in the conference in scoring.

Banchero was named Second Team All-America by the NABC and USBWA, while being a Third Team All-America selection by The Associated Press and The Sporting News. Among his many accolades, he was one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Banchero was named to the All-ACC First Team, the ACC All-Freshmen Team and was the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, leading Duke to the 2022 NCAA Final Four.

While at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, Banchero led the team to the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore (2018-19) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. As a junior (2019-20), he was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a MaxPreps Junior All-American and the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. Despite his senior season being postponed due to the pandemic, Banchero was named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith First Team All-American and a Sports Illustrated All-American.