Tag: admiral schofield

Magic exercise option on Goga Bitadze for 2023-24 season

The Orlando Magic have exercised their team option on center Goga Bitadze for the 2023-24 season, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, Orlando has declined its team options on Michael Carter-Williams and Admiral Schofield.

Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) played in 38 combined games (one start) last season (2022-23) with both Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 12.0 minpg., while shooting .552 (69-125) from the floor. He appeared in 21 games with the Pacers, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 9.6 minpg. Bitadze was waived by Indiana on Feb. 9, then signed as a free agent by Orlando on Feb. 13. He played in 17 games (one start) with the Magic, averaging 5.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 15.0 minpg. Bitadze scored in double figures six times (five times with Orlando), including a season-high 14 points on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and had 10+ rebounds twice, including a career-high 15 rebounds on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and on Apr. 7 @ Brooklyn.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 187 career NBA regular season games (22 starts) with Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.9 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 11.9 minpg.

A native of Georgia, Bitadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Prior to being drafted by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bitadze has been a member of the Georgian National Team.

Bitadze wears #35 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic convert contract of Admiral Schofield into standard NBA contract

The Orlando Magic have converted the contract of forward Admiral Schofield to a standard NBA contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Schofield (6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) signed as a free agent to a two-way contract by Orlando on July 22, 2022. He has played in 27 games this season, averaging 4.6 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 13.0 minpg. He also played in two games (one start) with Lakeland of the NBA G League during the NBA G League Winter Showcase, averaging 13.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 24.2 minpg. Schofield has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 13 points on December 3 @ Toronto and December 18 @ Boston.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 98 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 3.8 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 12.1 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.