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Pro Dawgs Update: Former Georgia Standouts Open Pro Seasons
November 07, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Claxton ranked among top-3 in NBA in FG percentage
ATHENS, Ga. — With the 2024-25 NBA season underway, three Georgia Basketball alumni are competing on respective squads to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Concurrently, a number of former players are playing professionally abroad.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now with the Orlando Magic, is enjoying a fresh start to the season with his Eastern Conference side. Through eight games, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. His 10 points against a fellow former Bulldog Nic Claxton when the Magic defeated the Nets 116-101 on Oct. 25 are a season high. In his most recent contest, the shooting guard recorded five boards and four steals, both season highs. The Magic are currently 3-5 overall and sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
The aforementioned Claxton and the Brooklyn Nets are off to a 4-4 start this season, good for third place in the Eastern Conference. The center has 67 points (9.6 ppg), 51 rebounds (7.3 rpg), 16 assists (2.3 apg), eight blocks (1.1 bpg) and six steals (0.9 spg) through seven games played. Interestingly, Claxton is third overall in the league in field goal percentage, shooting at a 69.8-percent clip. Claxton recorded season highs in points and rebounds, 16 and 12, respectively, in the Oct. 29 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, and he has tallied two double-doubles on the year.
Reigning All-NBA Second Team selection and Olympic gold-medalist Anthony Edwards picked up right where he left off from last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Through seven games played, Edwards has 191 points (27.3 ppg), 39 rebounds (5.6 rpg), 21 assists (3.0 apg), three blocks and six steals (0.9 spg). Edward's scoring performances pit him in the top 10 in the league in points per game, and the guard has scored 20-plus in every contest so far this season. In a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 29, Edwards dropped a season high 37 points while shooting 60-percent from the field. The Timberwolves own a 4-3 record and sit seventh in the Western Conference.
Russel Tchewa, who wrapped us his collegiate career with Georgia last season, recently signed with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G-League for the upcoming season. Updates on his performances this season will be provided.
In addition, 17 former Bulldogs are competing overseas. A review of each player's season to date is compiled below.
Braelen Bridges is playing for the Ringwood Hawks in the Australian National Basketball League. Through 20 games played this season, Bridges has 359 points (18.0 ppg), 181 boards (9.1 rpg), 56 assists (2.8 apg), nine blocks (0.5 bpg) and nine steals (0.5 spg), and the center has recorded double-digit scoring outings in every game this season. His efforts have helped the Hawks to a 9-13 record, and the team sits 13th in the league standings.
Guard Aaron Cook has played nine games this season for ZZ Leiden based out of the Netherlands and playing in the BNXT Pro League. In those nine games, Cook is averaging 13.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game. Cook ranks first on his squad in assists and sixth overall across the entire league. More, he also ranks top 20 in scoring in the league. ZZ Leiden holds a 5-4 record and sits ninth in league standings.
In Qatar, Tyree Crump began play with his new side, Al Arabi, in the Qatari Basketball League. The club opened the season on Oct. 29, and Crump had 13 points, five rebounds and two steals. In the opener, Crump shot 50-percent from behind the arc and was perfect at the free throw line. Al Arabi starts the season 0-1.
Nemanja Djurisic found a new home with Russian side BC Pari Nizhny Novgorod this season. Novgorod is currently an even 6-6 through 12 games played and sit in fourth place in league standings. On the season, Djurisic has 136 points (11.3 ppg), 59 rebounds (4.9 rpg), 34 assists (2.8 apg) and eight steals (0.7 spg). Notably, the forward ranks top 20 in the league points, assists and rebounds.
Mike Edwards also has a new home as he begins the season in North Macedonia with KK Pelister Sport Bitola, competing in both the North Macedonian Prva Liga and the ABA League. Through five games in Prva Liga play, Edwards is averaging 16.2 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 1.0 blocks per game and 1.2 steals per game, and in ABA League play, he is averaging 16.7 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 0.7 apg), 1.0 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game. Pelister is 4-1 in the Prva Liga, good for fourth place in league standings.
In Turkey, J.J. Frazier is playing for Bordo in the Turkish Basketball League. Through nine games played, Frazier has 165 points (18.3 ppg), 48 rebounds (5.3 rpg), 59 assists (6.6 apg), a block and nine steals (1.0 spg). On Oct. 13, Frazier exploded for a season-high 30 points against Trabzonspor while also adding on eight assists. The Turkish side is 4-5 and sit in ninth place in league standings.
Rayshaun Hammonds has moved to South Korean side Suwon KT Sonicboom in the South Korean Basketball League, who are currently 4-3 and fifth in league standings. Through seven league games, Hammonds has 132 points (18.9 ppg), 92 boards (13.1 rpg), seven assists (1.0 apg), two blocked shots and four steals (0.6 spg). Suwon KT also plays in the East Asian Super League, where they are currently 1-1. In an East Asian Super League contest against SM Beermen on Oct. 2, Hammonds scored 39 points adding 14 rebounds and two assists and was named the competition's player of the week.
In the Italian Serie A, Jordan Harris and Varese are off to a 1-5 start in league play. Despite the rocky start, Harris has provided steady offensive output with 52 points (8.7 ppg), 12 rebounds (2.0 rpg) and eight assists (1.3 apg) while also offering two blocked shots and two steals. Harris recorded 17 points in his first game of the season for the Italian side, good for his season high.
Jailyn Ingram has enjoyed a strong start to the season with his new side in Japan, Tachikawa Dice in the Japanese B3 League. Through eight games played, Ingram is averaging 11.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.3 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game. Ingram ranks top five on his team in points, steals and rebounds through the early stages of the season, and Tachikawa Dice owns a 6-4 record, good for seventh place in league standings.
Travis Leslie made the move to Mexico to play for Astros de Jalisco in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). Leslie played in five games for Astros prior to their playoff campaign where they bowed out in the quarterfinals. During his five-game stretch with the side, Leslie amassed 45 points (9.0 ppg), five rebounds (3.0 rpg), six assists (1.2 apg) and five steals (1.0 spg).
Yante Maten began another season with San-en NP in the Japanese B1 League. This season, San-en NP is 9-2 and sits first in the Central division of Japanese B1 league standings. Maten has impressed on the court averaging 15.2 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.0 blocks per game and 0.7 steals per game. The former Southeastern Conference player of the year ranks first on his team in points, blocks and rebounds while also top 20 in the league for the same statistics.
Now in Slovenia, Derek Ogbeide is playing for Cedevita Olimpija in the ABA League. Through six games played, Ogbeide has 33 points (5.5 ppg), 17 rebounds (2.8 rpg), one assist, three blocks (0.5 bpg) and five steals (0.8 spg). Ogbeide recorded a season high in points on Oct. 5 against Mornar in a 17-point outing. Cedevita also compete in the EuroCup competition, and the center is averaging 4.0 points per game, 2.4 boards per game and 0.4 assists per game.
Now playing abroad after a spell in the NBA G-League with the Long Island Nets, Terry Roberts is in Israel with APOEL Nicosia in the Israeli Winners League getting set to begin league play.
Gerald Robinson remains in Italy, now with Serie A-2 side Rivierabanca Basketball Rimini. Rimini is currently 7-1 and sits atop the league standings. Robinson has contributed 48 points (8.0 ppg), 16 rebounds (2.7 rpg), 23 assists (3.8 apg) and five steals through six games this season. Robinson ranks in the top five on his team in assists, steals and three-pointers attempted so far this season.
Noah Thomasson has moved to Turkey to begin season preparations with Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket Denizli in the Turkish BSL.
Trey Thompkins is underway in Spain with Liga Endesa side Coruna who are currently 2-4 and sit 15th in league standings. Thompkins, through four games, has 35 points (8.8 ppg), 15 rebounds (3.8 rpg), four assists (1.0 apg) and a blocked shot. Thompkins recorded a season high in points against Zaragoza on Oct. 26 during an 18-point showing.
In the Japanese B2 League, Terrance Woodbury is now with Shinshu Brave Warriors Nagano. Shinshu BW is off to an 8-3 start to the season and currently sit second in the East division of league standings large in part to Woodbury's contributions. On the season, Woodbury has 208 points (18.9 ppg), 63 rebounds (5.7 rpg), 21 assists (1.9 apg) and seven steals (0.6 spg). The guard ranks first on his team in three-pointers made, as well as ranking second on his team in points, steals and free throws made.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now with the Orlando Magic, is enjoying a fresh start to the season with his Eastern Conference side. Through eight games, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. His 10 points against a fellow former Bulldog Nic Claxton when the Magic defeated the Nets 116-101 on Oct. 25 are a season high. In his most recent contest, the shooting guard recorded five boards and four steals, both season highs. The Magic are currently 3-5 overall and sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
The aforementioned Claxton and the Brooklyn Nets are off to a 4-4 start this season, good for third place in the Eastern Conference. The center has 67 points (9.6 ppg), 51 rebounds (7.3 rpg), 16 assists (2.3 apg), eight blocks (1.1 bpg) and six steals (0.9 spg) through seven games played. Interestingly, Claxton is third overall in the league in field goal percentage, shooting at a 69.8-percent clip. Claxton recorded season highs in points and rebounds, 16 and 12, respectively, in the Oct. 29 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, and he has tallied two double-doubles on the year.
Reigning All-NBA Second Team selection and Olympic gold-medalist Anthony Edwards picked up right where he left off from last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Through seven games played, Edwards has 191 points (27.3 ppg), 39 rebounds (5.6 rpg), 21 assists (3.0 apg), three blocks and six steals (0.9 spg). Edward's scoring performances pit him in the top 10 in the league in points per game, and the guard has scored 20-plus in every contest so far this season. In a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 29, Edwards dropped a season high 37 points while shooting 60-percent from the field. The Timberwolves own a 4-3 record and sit seventh in the Western Conference.
Russel Tchewa, who wrapped us his collegiate career with Georgia last season, recently signed with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G-League for the upcoming season. Updates on his performances this season will be provided.
In addition, 17 former Bulldogs are competing overseas. A review of each player's season to date is compiled below.
Braelen Bridges is playing for the Ringwood Hawks in the Australian National Basketball League. Through 20 games played this season, Bridges has 359 points (18.0 ppg), 181 boards (9.1 rpg), 56 assists (2.8 apg), nine blocks (0.5 bpg) and nine steals (0.5 spg), and the center has recorded double-digit scoring outings in every game this season. His efforts have helped the Hawks to a 9-13 record, and the team sits 13th in the league standings.
Guard Aaron Cook has played nine games this season for ZZ Leiden based out of the Netherlands and playing in the BNXT Pro League. In those nine games, Cook is averaging 13.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game. Cook ranks first on his squad in assists and sixth overall across the entire league. More, he also ranks top 20 in scoring in the league. ZZ Leiden holds a 5-4 record and sits ninth in league standings.
In Qatar, Tyree Crump began play with his new side, Al Arabi, in the Qatari Basketball League. The club opened the season on Oct. 29, and Crump had 13 points, five rebounds and two steals. In the opener, Crump shot 50-percent from behind the arc and was perfect at the free throw line. Al Arabi starts the season 0-1.
Nemanja Djurisic found a new home with Russian side BC Pari Nizhny Novgorod this season. Novgorod is currently an even 6-6 through 12 games played and sit in fourth place in league standings. On the season, Djurisic has 136 points (11.3 ppg), 59 rebounds (4.9 rpg), 34 assists (2.8 apg) and eight steals (0.7 spg). Notably, the forward ranks top 20 in the league points, assists and rebounds.
Mike Edwards also has a new home as he begins the season in North Macedonia with KK Pelister Sport Bitola, competing in both the North Macedonian Prva Liga and the ABA League. Through five games in Prva Liga play, Edwards is averaging 16.2 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 1.0 blocks per game and 1.2 steals per game, and in ABA League play, he is averaging 16.7 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 0.7 apg), 1.0 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game. Pelister is 4-1 in the Prva Liga, good for fourth place in league standings.
In Turkey, J.J. Frazier is playing for Bordo in the Turkish Basketball League. Through nine games played, Frazier has 165 points (18.3 ppg), 48 rebounds (5.3 rpg), 59 assists (6.6 apg), a block and nine steals (1.0 spg). On Oct. 13, Frazier exploded for a season-high 30 points against Trabzonspor while also adding on eight assists. The Turkish side is 4-5 and sit in ninth place in league standings.
Rayshaun Hammonds has moved to South Korean side Suwon KT Sonicboom in the South Korean Basketball League, who are currently 4-3 and fifth in league standings. Through seven league games, Hammonds has 132 points (18.9 ppg), 92 boards (13.1 rpg), seven assists (1.0 apg), two blocked shots and four steals (0.6 spg). Suwon KT also plays in the East Asian Super League, where they are currently 1-1. In an East Asian Super League contest against SM Beermen on Oct. 2, Hammonds scored 39 points adding 14 rebounds and two assists and was named the competition's player of the week.
In the Italian Serie A, Jordan Harris and Varese are off to a 1-5 start in league play. Despite the rocky start, Harris has provided steady offensive output with 52 points (8.7 ppg), 12 rebounds (2.0 rpg) and eight assists (1.3 apg) while also offering two blocked shots and two steals. Harris recorded 17 points in his first game of the season for the Italian side, good for his season high.
Jailyn Ingram has enjoyed a strong start to the season with his new side in Japan, Tachikawa Dice in the Japanese B3 League. Through eight games played, Ingram is averaging 11.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.3 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game. Ingram ranks top five on his team in points, steals and rebounds through the early stages of the season, and Tachikawa Dice owns a 6-4 record, good for seventh place in league standings.
Travis Leslie made the move to Mexico to play for Astros de Jalisco in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). Leslie played in five games for Astros prior to their playoff campaign where they bowed out in the quarterfinals. During his five-game stretch with the side, Leslie amassed 45 points (9.0 ppg), five rebounds (3.0 rpg), six assists (1.2 apg) and five steals (1.0 spg).
Yante Maten began another season with San-en NP in the Japanese B1 League. This season, San-en NP is 9-2 and sits first in the Central division of Japanese B1 league standings. Maten has impressed on the court averaging 15.2 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.0 blocks per game and 0.7 steals per game. The former Southeastern Conference player of the year ranks first on his team in points, blocks and rebounds while also top 20 in the league for the same statistics.
Now in Slovenia, Derek Ogbeide is playing for Cedevita Olimpija in the ABA League. Through six games played, Ogbeide has 33 points (5.5 ppg), 17 rebounds (2.8 rpg), one assist, three blocks (0.5 bpg) and five steals (0.8 spg). Ogbeide recorded a season high in points on Oct. 5 against Mornar in a 17-point outing. Cedevita also compete in the EuroCup competition, and the center is averaging 4.0 points per game, 2.4 boards per game and 0.4 assists per game.
Now playing abroad after a spell in the NBA G-League with the Long Island Nets, Terry Roberts is in Israel with APOEL Nicosia in the Israeli Winners League getting set to begin league play.
Gerald Robinson remains in Italy, now with Serie A-2 side Rivierabanca Basketball Rimini. Rimini is currently 7-1 and sits atop the league standings. Robinson has contributed 48 points (8.0 ppg), 16 rebounds (2.7 rpg), 23 assists (3.8 apg) and five steals through six games this season. Robinson ranks in the top five on his team in assists, steals and three-pointers attempted so far this season.
Noah Thomasson has moved to Turkey to begin season preparations with Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket Denizli in the Turkish BSL.
Trey Thompkins is underway in Spain with Liga Endesa side Coruna who are currently 2-4 and sit 15th in league standings. Thompkins, through four games, has 35 points (8.8 ppg), 15 rebounds (3.8 rpg), four assists (1.0 apg) and a blocked shot. Thompkins recorded a season high in points against Zaragoza on Oct. 26 during an 18-point showing.
In the Japanese B2 League, Terrance Woodbury is now with Shinshu Brave Warriors Nagano. Shinshu BW is off to an 8-3 start to the season and currently sit second in the East division of league standings large in part to Woodbury's contributions. On the season, Woodbury has 208 points (18.9 ppg), 63 rebounds (5.7 rpg), 21 assists (1.9 apg) and seven steals (0.6 spg). The guard ranks first on his team in three-pointers made, as well as ranking second on his team in points, steals and free throws made.
Players Mentioned
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