logo
Former Colorado star KJ Simpson wins NBA Summer League title with the Charlotte Hornets

Former Colorado star KJ Simpson wins NBA Summer League title with the Charlotte Hornets

USA Todaya day ago
Former Colorado basketball star point guard KJ Simpson concluded his second summer league stint with an NBA Summer League championship after the Charlotte Hornets beat the Sacramento Kings, 83-78.
Simpson started for the Hornets along with Charlotte's 2025 first-round selection, former Duke guard Kon Knueppel. Despite the win, Simpson struggled offensively in the final but made up for it in other areas. In 31 minutes of action, Simpson tallied 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 4-of-15 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 from 3-point range.
Knueppel, who was named the game's MVP, praised the former Colorado guard for being the Hornets' leader throughout the Summer League. Simpson was quick to point out that Knueppel was deserving of the award.
"Kon, nah, he deserved that, man. He was excellent in this game," Simpson said. "We all played well. It [the MVP award] could have been anybody. I just wanted to go out there and help lead the team. Just be a good vocal leader. It was a team win, shoutout to Kon, shoutout to everybody, man.
Simpson is entering his second year in the NBA and has shown significant growth during the 10-day summer event, averaging 16 points, 5.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game in six Summer League games.
The Hornets have to like what they saw from Simpson, a former second-round pick, leading Charlotte's young core to a title.
Simpson and the Hornets got the win over former Buff Nique Clifford, who scored 10 points in 33 minutes of action.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home
Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home

Chicago Tribune

time30 minutes ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home

MINNEAPOLIS — Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier scored 19 points apiece and the Minnesota Lynx dominated the middle quarters in a 91-68 win over Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, improving to 13-0 in home games. Down 24-18 after one quarter, the Lynx outscored the Sky 29-14 in the second for a 47-38 lead at halftime. A 23-12 scoring edge in the third quarter made it 70-50 entering the fourth. Bridget Carlton had 11 points for the Lynx (21-4) and Alanna Sith and Courtney Williams each had 10. Backup point guard Natisha Hiedeman injured an ankle in the third quarter and finished the game on the bench. Kia Nurse, starting in place of the injured Ariel Atkins, scored 16 points to lead the Sky (7-16). Angel Reese had 11 points and 11 rebounds with nine turnovers, and Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Lynx scored on 11 consecutive possessions to close the first half. The Sky held Collier, coming off a 36-point MVP performance at the All-Star game, scoreless in the first period and eight points, while McBride had 12 at halftime. The Lynx had 10 points off seven turnovers in the second quarter and finished with 20 on 23 Sky miscues, the most they have forced this season. They also had eight blocked shots, four by Collier. Smith opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 50-38, and McBride followed with another as the Lynx pulled away.

Magic rookie Jase Richardson pulled up to Michigan State practice after summer league
Magic rookie Jase Richardson pulled up to Michigan State practice after summer league

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Magic rookie Jase Richardson pulled up to Michigan State practice after summer league

Fresh off a productive run in the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic, rookie Jase Richardson pulled up to East Lansing to sit in on a practice at Michigan State. Richardson was named to the All-Big Ten third team last season with the Spartans, averaging 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 41.2% shooting from 3-point range as a freshman. He ranked ninth in the country in box plus-minus (plus-11.6) and 14th in offensive rating (132). The 25th overall pick was spotted this week at the practice facility chatting with former head coach Tom Izzo on the court. He also posted a photo on Instagram of the Spartans' court. Richardson averaged 16.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one block on 55.6% shooting from the field with the Magic in summer league. He, along with second-year forward Tristan da Silva, was shut down after two appearances. The 19-year-old was highly-touted entering the 2025 NBA draft as a guard who takes care of the ball, shoots well and can defend. He displayed those qualities in a limited sample size, while also playing through contact and running the offense well. Richardson checks a lot of boxes for the Magic and was a player they were even looking at with the 16th pick before trading it away. He faces an uphill battle vying for rotational minutes, but he appeared to pass the test in his first action on the court in the desert. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Magic: Jase Richardson stopped by Michigan State after summer league

McBride, Collier score 19 points apiece as Lynx beat Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home
McBride, Collier score 19 points apiece as Lynx beat Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home

Fox Sports

timean hour ago

  • Fox Sports

McBride, Collier score 19 points apiece as Lynx beat Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home

Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier scored 19 points apiece and the Minnesota Lynx dominated the middle quarters in a 91-68 win over Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, improving to 13-0 in home games. Down 24-18 after one quarter, the Lynx outscored the Sky 29-14 in the second for a 47-38 lead at halftime. A 23-12 scoring edge in the third quarter made it 70-50 entering the fourth. Bridget Carlton had 11 points for the Lynx (21-4) and Alanna Sith and Courtney Williams each had 10. Backup point guard Natisha Hiedeman injured an ankle in the third quarter and finished the game on the bench. Kia Nurse, starting in place of the injured Ariel Atkins, scored 16 points to lead the Sky (7-16). Angel Reese had 11 points and 11 rebounds with nine turnovers, and Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Lynx scored on 11 consecutive possessions to close the first half. Chicago held Collier, coming off a 36-point MVP performance at the All-Star game, scoreless in the first period and eight points, while McBride had 12 at halftime. Minnesota had 10 points off seven turnovers in the second quarter and finished with 20 on 23 Chicago miscues, the most the Lynx have forced this season. They also blocked eight shots, four by Collier. Smith opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 50-38, and McBride followed with another as the Lynx pulled away. ___ AP WNBA: recommended Item 1 of 1

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store