Arizona Wildcats in the NBA: All-Star break update

Let’s see how all the former Wildcats are faring in the NBA this season

The NBA is currently on break for NBA All-Star Weekend, so now is a good time to check in with all the former Arizona Wildcats in the league.

Here we go.

---

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

2017-18 stats: 18.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 44.7 FG%, 34.6 3PT%

The 22-year-old is having a terrific season in Orlando, averaging career-highs virtually across the board.

The Magic are tied for the lowest win total in the league (18), but Gordon is certainly not to blame.

---

T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers

2017-18 stats: 7.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 51.1 FG%, 51.1 3PT%

T.J. is doing T.J things. He isn’t much of a scorer, but is incredibly efficient, and does a little bit of everything on the court, all while being one of the Sixers’ glue guys.

McConnell recently recorded his first career triple-double. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.6 to 1. The Sixers are currently the 7-seed in the East, so we might get to watch T.J. take the playoffs by storm this year.

---

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls

2017-18 stats: 15.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3PT%

Markkanen has been one of the top rookies in the league this season, and has started in every game he’s appeared in.

The 7-footer became the fastest player in the NBA to make 100 3-pointers, and recently participated in two NBA All-Star Weekend events (Rising Stars Challenge and Skills Challenge).

Markkanen should be a good player in the league for a long time.

---

Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

2017-18 stats: 8.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 37.8 FG%, 29.2 3PT%

Johnson still struggles as a scorer, but has taken on a bigger role with the Pistons after they traded several pieces for Blake Griffin, and has been thriving since.

In eight February games, Johnson is averaging 12.0 PPG on .447/.357/.857 shooting. We’ll see how sustainable that is.

---

Channing Frye, Los Angeles Lakers

2017-18 stats: 4.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 50.0 FG%, 34.1 3PT%

Frye was recently traded to the Lakers by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline. The big man has only appeared in one game for Luke Walton’s team, and recently had an appendectomy so hopefully he has a speedy recovery.

---

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets

2017-18 stats: 14.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 47.2 FG%, 27.9 3PT%, 79.4 FT%

The Chester, Pennsylvania native has had a breakout year in Brooklyn, averaging career-highs in everything but steals.

And Rondae can still bring it defensively, so he’s a very solid two-way player in his third year in the league.

---

Richard Jefferson, Denver Nuggets

2017-18 stats: 1.6 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 41.7 FG%, 28.6 3PT%

The 37-year-old is averaging a career-low in minutes (8.6), and hasn’t been terribly productive when he has been on the court. But the Nuggets are currently the 6-seed in the West, so I guess we can give Jefferson credit for being a veteran presence on a young, but promising, team.

---

Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia 76ers

2017-18 stats: 7.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 41.6 FG%, 37.0 3PT%

The 29-year-old is still a solid backup, but has fallen out of the Sixers’ rotation, getting a DNP-CD in three straight games.

---

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

2017-18 stats: 5.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 43.6 FG%, 22.9 3PT%

The 34-year-old is averaging career-lows in nearly every statistical category. Iguodala has never put up big numbers with the Warriors, but was still a valuable asset because of his defense and playmaking.

That might still be true, but his decline has been evident. It will be interesting to see how Iguodala fares in the postseason when the Warriors, who have become a bit complacent, rev things up. They are the 2-seed in the West behind the Houston Rockets.

---

Jason Terry, Milwaukee Bucks

2017-18 stats: 2.3 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 40.0 FG%, 34.2 3PT%

Similar to Jefferson, Terry doesn’t play a whole lot, averaging just 11.0 minutes per game in 26 (of 57) games.

But the Bucks are the 6-seed in the East, which is clearly because of Terry’s veteran leadership and definitely not because Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the league (sarcasm heavily intended).

---

Meanwhile in the G League...

Kobi Simmons, Memphis Hustle/Memphis Grizzlies

2017-18 G League stats: 15.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 44.4 FG%, 37.5 3PT%

2017-18 NBA stats: 12 games, 14.7 min, 3.8 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 42.2 FG%, 23.1 3PT%

Simmons has had a solid year in the G League, and has actually appeared in 12 games for the Grizzlies. He is on a two-way contract which means he is continually being shuffled between the G League and NBA.

---

Kadeem Allen, Maine Red Claws/Boston Celtics

2017-18 G League stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 47.3 FG%, 34.3 3PT%

Allen has been a great two-way player in the G League as the Celtics organization has found a way to unlock his scoring potential.

However, Allen has only appeared in seven games in NBA, as Boston is one of the deeper teams in the league.

---

Chance Comanche, Memphis Hustle

2017-18 G League stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 60.3 FG%, 69.4 FT%

Comanche is averaging 17.2 minutes with the Hustle alongside Simmons. While the big man’s numbers aren’t eye-catching, Comanche is apparently enjoying his time in the G League.

from Arizona Desert Swarm - All Posts http://ift.tt/2EBjYtW
via IFTTT