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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How Wisconsin basketball center Steven Crowl can earn a roster spot with the Utah Jazz
Former Wisconsin center Steven Crowl will look to make the most of his Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz this summer. Despite not hearing his named called either Thursday or Friday evening during the 2025 NBA Draft, Crowl is poised to represent an NBA squad during its quest for a summer league title. The Jazz kick-start their summer slate with a three-day circuit at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah from July 5-7 before making the trek to Las Vegas the following week. The one-year, non-guaranteed minimum salary deal enables NBA teams to sign undrafted playmakers to their summer league squads for an opportunity to land on the franchise's G League affiliate -- a low-risk, high-reward move. If Crowl plays extremely well, he could muscle his way into a two-way deal with the team before the 2025-26 season. Prior to the draft, Crowl did work out with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets. Utah's summer league slate will essentially serve as another extended workout against another batch of NBA hopefuls. Utah will play three games in Salt Lake City from July 5-7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Jazz will then tip off against the New Orleans Hornets (July 11), Golden State Warriors (July 13), San Antonio Spurs (July 14) and Washington Wizards (July 16) in Las Vegas. To claim one of 15 regular season roster spots or one of three two-way contract opportunities, Crowl will need to showcase his ability to stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter, particularly from the top of the key. As a senior, the Minnesota native averaged 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 54% from the field, a blistering 41% from 3 and 82% from the free-throw line. In today's NBA, that type of efficiency plays. 2024 NBA G League Rookie of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe and former Duke standout Kyle Filipowski are listed ahead on the Jazz's depth chart, so if Crowl hopes to scale the three-man hierarchy, his ability to knock down open shots from outside will be paramount. One other important factor: rebounding. The 7-footer averaged just under six rebounds per contest across 153 games during his tenure in Madison, although he never attained the role of an enforcer. In fact, following a zero-rebound outing against Illinois as a senior, his former head coach Greg Gard publicly commented on Crowl's lack of aggressiveness down low. A no-show for Crowl in the painted area cannot happen in either Salt Lake City or Las Vegas. If he corrals three or four rebounds per appearance, plays stout interior defense and disrupts passing lanes near the basket, coaches, scouts and executives may favor his inclusion as a two-way player. That journey commences on July 5 at 9:00 p.m. EST against the 76ers in Utah. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nuggets' two-way guard Trey Alexander named G League Rookie of the Year
Nuggets' two-way guard Trey Alexander named G League Rookie of the Year A Golden rookie year! @nuggets Two-Way guard Trey Alexander is your 2024-25 @Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year after averaging 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 30 games with @NBAGrandRapids. — NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 4, 2025 Denver Nuggets rookie Trey Alexander on Friday was named the 2024-25 NBA G League Rookie of the Year for his play with the Grand Rapids Gold, the league announced. Alexander, signed to a two-way contract, averaged 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 30 games on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked second in scoring among players with at least 15 appearances and fifth in field goals per game (9.1). The undrafted standout from Creighton registered eight 30-point games, including a career-high 38 points, five rebounds and three assists on Jan. 18. He was one of 10 players with at least eight 30-point games during the regular season. Alexander spent most of the season in the G League after logging 22 appearances with the Nuggets. He has played almost exclusively in mop-up duty, totaling 30 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in 110 minutes and has totaled more than 10 minutes in a game only three times. The 21-year-old earned praise from Nuggets coach Michael Malone for his play in the G League. The team has liked how he was able to play through mistakes and perform at a high level after scoring at least 14 points in every game this season. With playing time at a minimum with the Nuggets, Alexander maximized his development in the G League. He established himself as the top first-year player and projects to have a bright future ahead.
USA Today
27-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mac McClung needs a roster spot if he is going to keep saving the NBA Dunk Contest
Mac McClung will once again participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which should be entertaining but comes with a caveat. McClung is clearly the best thing that the contest has going for it considering he has won two seasons in a row and is looking to defend his title for a third consecutive championship. It is starting to feel egregious, though, that McClung continues to participate without a roster spot in the NBA. Currently signed to a two-way deal for the Orlando Magic, the 26-year-old former undrafted free agent has played just five minutes in the NBA so far this season. MAC MCCLUNG: Dunk champion makes his case for why he believes he should be in the NBA Since he turned pro in 2021, he has played just five games total and has not played more than two NBA games in a single season. McClung has recorded just two dunks during his combined seasons in the leaugue, per Stathead. He should at least get the opportunity to actually dunk during NBA contests if the league is going to keep asking him to help save its All-Star Weekend product. When he actually gets playing time in the G League, he is hardly a bad player. He was named 2024 NBA G League MVP, 2023 NBA G League Champion, and 2022 NBA G League Rookie of the Year. Last year, he also led the G League in scoring and threw down some dunks during games as well. He had 13 dunks for Orlando's G League affiliate last season and 14 the season prior. McClung is capable of throwing them down in an NBA game, too, and not just during garbage minutes. But if no teams feel he is a worthwhile addition to their actual NBA roster, enough with this song and dance.
