Category: Washington Wizards Blog

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John Wall receives 2015-16 season NBA Cares Community Assist Award

John Wall receives 2015-16 season NBA Cares Community Assist Award

In recognition of his many charitable efforts and yearlong dedication to community outreach, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall has received the 2015-16 season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award. The award recognizes an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the 2016 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner and would like to thank all the fans and my many friends who voted for me on social media,” said Wall. “I am privileged to be in a position to better my communities in both Washington and Raleigh and I consider the outreach that I do to be the most rewarding part of being an NBA player.”

Owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and Kaiser Permanente Senior Director of External Affairs Maritha Gay will present Wall with the award at Bright Beginnings Inc. (BBI) tomorrow afternoon in Washington, D.C. Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will also donate $25,000 to the John Wall Family Foundation.

Following the award presentation, Wall and attendees will participate in a community service project at Bright Beginnings Inc., a non-profit that offers education, shelter and meals to homeless children and their parents. Earlier this year Wall surprised BBI with a generous donation to support programming and a new facility, and he recently received their Champions for Children Award honoring his commitment to the health and welfare of children and families.

In addition to his efforts with BBI, Wall worked to make a difference for those in need throughout local communities this season. After his friend, 5-year-old DaMiyah Telemaque-Nelson, lost her battle with Burkitt’s lymphoma, Wall sponsored the “Miyah’s Troupe” walking team, and joined DaMiyah’s family in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk in D.C.

In partnership with the John Wall Family Foundation, Wall funded the Passport to Manhood Program at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, which teaches adolescent boys responsibility, leadership and the importance of giving back through community service projects. He also hosted various Wizards Make-A-Wish nights, and his second “FITTED” Prom Project, where he provided ten high school seniors with suits and accessories for their upcoming proms.

John Wall undergoes surgery on both knees

John Wall undergoes surgery on both knees

The Washington Wizards announced that guard John Wall underwent a successful procedure today to excise calcific deposits in his left patella tendon in order to eliminate pain and assist healing. He will begin the rehabilitation process immediately and is expected to be available for the start of the 2016-17 season. Wall also underwent an arthroscopic lavage on his right knee in order to remove loose bodies.

“I am determined to lead this team back to the playoffs and getting healthy is the best way for me to accomplish that,” said Wall. “I can promise the fans, my teammates and the organization that I will be focused on that goal throughout the summer and it will drive me to do everything I can to be ready for next season.”

The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard D. Parker at the Cleveland Clinic Marymount following consultations with Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Josh Hackel and Wizards Head Team Physician Wiemi Douoguih.

“John’s procedure went very well and should allow him to play without pain once he has completed his rehabilitation,” said Parker. “We have worked closely with the Wizards’ medical and athletic training staff throughout this process to develop the plan he will need to follow this summer in order to resume his normal basketball activities.”

Wall averaged career highs in points (19.9, 21st in the NBA), assists (10.2, third in the NBA), rebounds (4.9), and steals (1.9, tied for eighth in the NBA) this season while posting a career-high 49 double-doubles (tied for fourth in the NBA, second amongst guards) in 77 games. He was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the third straight season, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December and Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Jan. 11-17. Wall was also honored for his charitable contributions with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for October.

“The consultations with John, his agent and a variety of top medical professionals led us all to the conclusion that the best course of action for John was to have this procedure done now with regards to both next season and his long-term health,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “John has been a true warrior for us throughout his career and we’re confident that his work ethic will have him back leading the team as soon as possible.”

Wizards hire Scott Brooks as head coach

Wizards hire Scott Brooks as head coach

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that Scott Brooks has been hired as the team’s new head coach. Brooks will become the 24th head coach in franchise history. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“I am beyond thrilled to return to coaching with a team that is filled with such potential and to be able to join an organization that is committed to helping us reach our goals,” said Brooks. “I’m very grateful to Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld for this opportunity and I can promise the great fans of Washington that we will work extremely hard both on and off the court to represent them in a manner fitting the most powerful city in the world.”

Brooks joins the Wizards after serving as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach for seven seasons (2008-09 through 2014-15). With Brooks at the helm, the Thunder amassed a 338-207 (.620) record, tallied four 50-plus win seasons (including 60 wins in 2012-13), made three appearances in the Western Conference Finals (2011, 2012, 2014), and advanced to the 2012 NBA Finals.

“Scott’s approach to the game, track record for player development and ability to communicate with his players made him the clear-cut choice to guide our team as we continue to rise as contenders in the Eastern Conference,” said Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder and Wizards Majority Owner Ted Leonsis. “His accomplishments as a coach are matched only by his sterling reputation around the league and we’re confident that our fans and players alike will embrace and support him as he leads the way.”

Brooks was named the 2009-10 NBA Coach of the Year after guiding OKC to a 50-32 record in his first full season as head coach and leading the team to a 27-win improvement (tied for the eighth-largest in NBA history). He also was twice named as head coach for the Western Conference All-Star Team (2012 and 2014). Brooks was originally promoted to head coach of the Thunder on April 15, 2009, after being named interim head coach on Nov. 22, 2008.

Washington Wizards not keeping Randy Wittman as head coach

Washington Wizards not keeping Randy Wittman as head coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that they will not pick up the option on the contract of Head Coach Randy Wittman.

“There were high internal and external expectations for this team coming into this season based on the momentum we had generated over the previous two years,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “Unfortunately, the inconsistency of the team’s performance and effort, particularly on our home court, did not allow us to meet those expectations and we decided a coaching change was needed.”

Wittman was originally promoted to head coach on January 24, 2012, and compiled a 178-199 (.472) overall record in four-and-a-half seasons with the Wizards. During his tenure, the team advanced to the second round of the playoffs twice (2014 and 2015).

“Randy should be commended for the job he did in taking over as head coach during a very difficult time for our franchise and for helping to establish a culture and identity that led to success,” said Grunfeld. “This was a very tough decision on a personal level, and we wish Randy and his family the best moving forward.”

Alan Anderson day-to-day with groin injury

The Washington Wizards are 35-36 and if the season ended today would miss the playoffs. Here’s the Washington Post blog with a health update:

Alan Anderson day-to-day with groin injury

Alan Anderson has not played in three of the last four games for the Washington Wizards and the team has listed him as out because of ankle ailment. Coach Randy Wittman has said it’s been Anderson’s left ankle, which he had surgery on in October, which forced him to miss the first 55 games of the season.

But Anderson’s agent said Thursday that Anderson is dealing with a groin injury, not an ankle problem, and his status is “day to day.” The Wizards host the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday before beginning a five-game west-coast trip Sunday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

Wizards sign Marcus Thornton, waive Gary Neal

Wizards sign Marcus Thornton and waive Gary Neal

The Washington Wizards have signed guard Marcus Thornton and waived guard Gary Neal.

“Marcus brings experience and shooting to our backcourt and helps us fill a void caused by Gary’s injury with another veteran player,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His skill set will allow him to fit right in to our system and give our offense another option.”

Thornton (6-4, 205) has appeared in 436 career regular season games (132 starts) over six-and-a-half seasons with New Orleans, Sacramento, Brooklyn, Boston, Phoenix and Houston. He has averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting .426 from the field and .359 from three-point range. The former 43rd overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft has averaged double figures in scoring in five of his six full NBA seasons. He averaged 14.7 points over his first four NBA seasons and tallied a career-best 18.7 points per game in 2011-12 for Sacramento. In 47 games (six starts) with the Rockets this season, Thornton averaged 10.0 points while shooting .338 from three-point range. He was waived by Houston on Feb. 26.

Neal, who was signed as a free agent on July 9, appeared in 40 games for Washington this season while averaging 9.8 points per contest. He missed 23 games due to injury, including the team’s last 14 games.

Wizards sign J.J. Hickson

Wizards sign J.J. Hickson

The Washington Wizards have signed forward J.J. Hickson.

“Signing J.J. for the remainder of the season gives us another solid veteran who will bring more depth to our frontcourt,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His experience, athletic ability and physical presence will be solid additions to our team as we continue our playoff push.“

Hickson (6-9, 242) has appeared in 519 career regular season games (307 starts) in seven-plus seasons with Cleveland, Sacramento, Portland and Denver. He has averaged 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting .505 from the field. The former 19th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft averaged a double-double of 12.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in 80 games (all starts) during the 2012-13 season with Portland and posted 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games (52 starts) with Denver in 2013-14 . Hickson appeared in 20 games (nine starts), with Denver this season, averaging 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds before being waived on February 19.

Suns trade Markieff Morris to Wizards

Suns trade Markieff Morris to Wizards

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired forward Markieff Morris from Phoenix in exchange for forwards DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries and a 2016 protected first round draft pick.

“Markieff is a versatile, young power forward who brings athleticism and physicality along with a good shooting touch,” said Grunfeld. “He will be a very good addition to our team as we make our playoff push and gives us a proven starter at that position for the next several years.”

Morris (6-10, 245) holds career averages of 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 345 career games (145 starts) while shooting .443 from the field, .324 from three-point range and .759 from the line in four-plus years with Phoenix. The 13th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft averaged 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting .465 from the field and .318 from three-point range in 82 games (all starts) with the Suns last season. He posted career-highs with 65 games of 10+ points, 19 games of 20+ points, seven games with 25+ points and three games of 30+ points along with 12 games of 10+ rebounds and 12 double-doubles in 2014-15. Morris also led the NBA by shooting 54.3 FG% (19-35 FG) in the final two minutes of one-possession games.

Morris has averaged 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 37 games (24 starts) with the Suns this season. In those 24 starts, he has averaged 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds. Morris was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games from Nov. 4-10, 2013, and finished fourth in the voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2013-14. He was teammates with current Wizards Marcin Gortat and Jared Dudley for two seasons with the Suns (2011-13).

“We thank Kris and DeJuan for their professionalism and their contributions to our team,” said Grunfeld. “We wish them the best moving forward in their careers.”

“Today we added another first-round pick to our collection of picks while keeping our young core intact,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “We are excited to watch this group of players continue to develop and grow together.”

The Suns received Washington’s 2016 first-round pick (protected to nine) as part of the deal and now own three 2016 first-round picks with their own, Washington’s and Cleveland’s (protected to 10), as well as their own second-round pick.

Blair is in his seventh NBA season and has averaged 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.5 minutes in 29 games with the Wizards this season. The 26-year-old holds career averages of 6.8 points on 52.4 percent shooting and 5.1 rebounds in 424 games (179 starts) with San Antonio (2009-13), Dallas (2013-14) and Washington (2014-16). Blair, a 6-7, 270-pound post player, was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team following his first professional season with the Spurs in 2009-10.

Humphries, in his 12th NBA season, has averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.6 minutes in 28 games with the Wizards in 2015-16. The 6-9, 235-pound forward has played in 719 career games (196 starts) and posted averages of 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds with Utah (2004-06), Toronto (2006-09), Dallas (2009-10), New Jersey/Brooklyn (2010-13), Boston (2013-14) and Washington (2014-16). The 31-year-old averaged a double-double in consecutive seasons with the Nets from 2010-12, including career-bests of 13.8 points and 11.0 rebounds in 2011-12.

Markieff Morris traded from Suns to Wizards

Report: Markieff Morris traded from Suns to Wizards

The Phoenix Suns (14-40) have reportedly granted forward Markieff Morris his wish and traded him.

According to The Vertical/Yahoo Sports, Morris is being sent to the Washington Wizards.

And according to CBS Sports, the Wizards send Kris Humphries, DaJuan Blair and a future first to Phoenix for Morris.

The NBA trade deadline is today at 3 p.m. ET, though deals are often announced after the deadline.

Morris this season averaged 11.6 points (39.7% FG) and 5.2 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game for the Suns, though ever since Earl Watson took over as head coach Morris had been playing a leading role on the team and putting up impressive stats.