Player of the Week:
Jay Scrubb, Lakeland Magic
No one predicted Scrubb would hear his name called in the 2020 NBA Draft out of John A. Logan college and just as few predicted his sensational stretch for the Lakeland Magic this week. The third-year guard made 10 of his 14 3-pointers as part of a 42-point effort in a loss to the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday night.
Just two games earlier, Scrubb poured in 36 points on 15-21 shooting in another losing effort against the Vipers. The Lakeland star is up to fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 25 points per game, and could be on his way to Orlando if he continues to dominate the G-League competition.
Who’s Hot?
Moussa Diabate, Ontario Clippers
After going in the second round of the draft this summer, Diabate knew he would have to earn his keep in the G-League in his rookie season. It’s safe to say he’s doing exactly that. The Michigan Wolverine product earned player of the week honors by averaging over 20 points and 20 rebounds over a two-game stretch. I’m sure the Clippers would like to see him expand his range, but averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds in his debut season in the G-League is an excellent way to earn another contract.
James Wiseman, Santa Cruz Warriors
The James Wiseman experiment in Golden State hasn’t exactly gone to plan, but the experiment in Santa Cruz has shown what he can do against players with his own age and skill level. The former second overall pick may be perceived as a bust by some so far, but has been flourishing in the G-League, especially in the last two weeks. He’s averaged a 26-point double-double in his last three games and with Steph Curry out for a few weeks, the Warriors will need others to step up. They are looking to Wiseman to begin to show more than he has so far at the NBA level.
Who’s Not?
Sidy Cissoko, G-League Ignite
In his last four games, Cissoko shot 30% and registered more fouls and turnovers than rebounds and assists, shot 40% and fouled out, and posted a team-low -30 plus/minus in a 26-point loss to the Stockton Kings. While Cissoko is still a projected first-round pick, he looks like he could be at least a year away from keeping that status after this frustrating stretch for the 18-year-old French guard.
Blake Wesley, Austin Spurs
The Notre Dame product suffered a MCL sprain in late October and finally returned to the court this week with the Austin Spurs. The struggling Spurs needed a major boost from this summer’s first-round pick, but saw inefficiency from both of their top picks, including Malaki Branham.
The pair combined to shoot 10-25 and 2-9 from the perimeter as they fell to the Mexico City Capitanes on Friday night. Wesley is expected to be elevated next week to San Antonio, but he’ll need to showcase more efficiency in his next outing if he wants to earn those minutes and stay put at the next level.
Top 5 Overperforming Rookies
5. Moussa Diabate, Ontario Clippers
It was a special moment for Diabate this weekend as he earned the call-up to the Los Angeles Clippers and it’s a moment I never expected he’d receive in his rookie season. The mid-second round pick seemed like he needed to spend a lot of time developing in the G-League before making it to the NBA, and while he might end up back with Ontario at some point, he’s still significantly exceeding all expectations in his first season.
4. Orlando Robinson, Sioux Falls Skyforce
How about the clinic Robinson put on in his time in the G-League? The Fresno State product went undrafted this summer but a 22-point, 13-rebound average caught the attention of the Heat who couldn’t let him stay in Sioux Falls any longer during his ongoing reign of terror in the G-League. He’s a special talent who is only going to get better wherever he ends up.
3. Scotty Pippen Jr., South Bay Lakers
Pippen was a dominant force during his Vanderbilt career, but as the only true star player, it was easy to see why. Surrounded by talented guys with the South Bay Lakers, Pippen is enjoying the same level of success in the G-League. With the start he’s had this year, there might be some teams regretting their decisions on draft night that allowed the 6-1 guard to hit undrafted free agency.
2. Kenneth Lofton Jr., Memphis Hustle
As the fourth-leading scorer in the entire league, it’s safe to say that Lofton is one of the stars of this league. It’s easy to see why he’s an overperforming rookie when you consider that he didn’t even hear his name called on draft night. It was a safer bet to expect no minutes than to expect this kind of dominance from Lofton but it’s surely a pleasant surprise for the Grizzlies organization.
1. Jaden Hardy, Texas Legends
Hardy isn’t just the top player on this list, he’s the top player on every list of G-League players. The former Ignite star is the top player in the league this season and certainly earned his call-up to the Mavericks by averaging 30 points for the Legends on some incredible shooting splits (55/49/87).