NBA G League Blog

Player of the Week

As the G-League finishes up their showcase, the Ignite are preparing for the regular season and will certainly be using their time in the preseason tournament as a learning experience. Based on the tournament, and how each prospect has developed over the Showcase, our player of the week is Jaden Hardy. Hardy has not only improved over the nine games he was featured in but has also begun carving out his rank in the upcoming NBA draft. A player that is expected to be selected in the top five, it was concerning to see the young guard struggle at the start of his G-League career. Whether it was a lack of rhythm, chemistry issues or the speed of the game it felt like Hardy was forcing it, knowing he was expected to perform. His inefficiency was concerning and his shot selection was frustrating but in the last four games it appears that he has begun to figure it out. Averaging 18.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.3 apg with shooting splits 34.8 fg% 30.2 3p% 95.5 ft% on the surface Hardy looks to be scoring but not efficiently. However, these shooting splits do not fully illustrate the player Hardy is becoming. While he did start the season flat, barely shooting 30% from the field in his first four games, he has seemed to turn the corner shooting 40% in his last four. Such a large jump in field goal percentage shows that he is not only improving but adjusting to the game speed and finding a way to get high percentage looks. A presumed top five pick, if [Hardy] can continue to improve his efficiency, contribute in a meaningful way and lead his team to regular season wins, expect to hear his name called early on draft night.

Who’s Hot

Daniels is currently averaging 11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.7 apg in eleven appearances for the G-League Ignite. One of the main takeaways from the showcase is that, in the first nine games, Daniels wasn’t able to put it all together. When he was scoring his rebounds and assists were suffering but when he scored less than ten points it was the opposite. The main reason Daniels finds himself here today is because of his last two games. In both games he played over 35 minutes but scored in double figures, and nearly posted a triple double in both contests. A guard with solid size and the ability to impact the game on both ends, Daniels has shown that he can do everything an NBA organization would want from a young guard. If he can continue to build on his last two performances during the G-League regular season expect to find him rising on draft boards.

Who’s Cold

Zeng is one of the 2022 draft eligible players currently on the G-League Ignite but don’t expect to hear his name called this year. Zeng seems to be a project player that has found limited minutes on a roster that is supposed to give young players the chance to develop. Only playing in six games to date, he is averaging 3.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in eleven minutes of action. Previously listed as ESPN’s No. 33 prospect it is clear the 6-11 forward has struggled during his time in the league. Hopefully, Zeng is able to carve out more minutes during the regular season but expect to see him overseas or back on the Ignite next year.

NBA Sophomore Spotlight

Anthony Edwards has arrived. It doesn’t feel like only two years ago Edwards was the first overall selection. Playing in Minnesota, out of the spotlight and under the radar, his ability was overshadowed by the other emerging rookies in his class. Lamelo Ball won rookie of the year while playing fewer games than Edwards and even though he was recognized as a top player in his class, it didn’t feel like the national media and twitter-verse was paying attention. This has all changed in what feels like a breakout sophomore season. Not only are the Timberwolves fighting for a spot in the playoffs, something they haven’t done in years, but Edwards seems to be the franchise cornerstone the organization was hoping to pair with [Karl Anthony Towns]. A gifted athlete and scorer, Edwards recently broke the franchise record and became the youngest player in NBA history with ten threes in a game. he’s making a strong case as the top player to emerge from the 2019 draft (Ball included). Expect Edwards to continue on his current path and help put Minnesota back on the NBA map. Even if they come up short this year, Edwards is going to be a franchise talent (for someone) in the league for years to come.

Most Efficient G-League Players

One of the most important factors in getting time at the NBA level is what you do with the ball in your hand. As rookies in the G-League continue to develop, their ability to be efficient with the ball in their hand will help them get to the next level much faster.

#5 Aaron Wiggins

Wiggins was taken toward the end of the NBA draft but has found time at the NBA level because he plays for Oklahoma City. When he is not with the main roster, he is continuing to work on his craft with their G-League affiliate. Wiggins is currently ranked 15th in field goal percentage in the G-League shooting 60% from the field while only shooting 36.4% from three. If Wiggins can continue to improve from behind the arc his field goal percentage should rise considerably. The G-League has shown that it is more than a development league and if he can take advantage of each opportunity he should be able to become a mainstay at the NBA level.

#4 Sandro Mamukelashvili

A player that has shown he does not belong in the G-League but instead on the main roster, Mamukelashvili was able to prove himself during his time with the Wisconsin Herd. Shooting 61% from the field and 53.8% from behind the arc, the former Seton Hall Pirate made the most of every opportunity he was given. Expect to see Sandro in the Bucks main rotation on a regular basis, especially with his performance during his time in the G-League. If he can find a way to duplicate his efficiency at the next level even with a lower share of shots, he may be the heir apparent to an aging Brook Lopez.

#3 Joel Ayayi

The former Gonzaga guard took a chance last season and declared for the draft but evidently went undrafted. At the conclusion of the draft he immediately signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and has been working on his game in the G-League. In eleven games Ayayi has shot 60.2% from the field and 34.4% from behind the arc. As he continues to improve as a three point shooter the rest of his game should open up as well. Currently the 14th most efficient player in the league, he will only continue to improve as the game slows down. If he can remain this efficient he even may find a way to carve out minutes on the main roster sooner than later.

#2 Usman Garuba

Garuba is small for his size and it makes sense that some of the best rebounders in the league will also be the most efficient. Doing a majority of his work from inside Garuba may not have the volume but he has shown that when given the chance he is going to put the ball in the basket at an alarming rate. Over his six games in the G-League, the Rockets rookie is shooting 71.4% from the field placing him in the top five among all active players. While he will continue to get work in the G-League, the Rockets hope that he will be able to duplicate this type of efficiency in the NBA.

#1 Terry Taylor

Taylo] is proof that what you do in the G-League matters, especially when you were not drafted by an NBA organization. Terry was featured on our list as the best young rebounder in the G-League as he is currently grabbing over twelve a game. A player that does it on both ends, Terry is shooting 67.6% from the floor over his twelve games. Even though Garuba is shooting a better percentage, Terry has done it over double the games with a larger volume of shots. Signed to a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers yesterday, expect to see Terry coming off the bench as a late rotation player. If he can continue to prove himself the undrafted free agent may have a chance to become a featured player off the bench.