Tide Hoops: NBA Report
10/25/2023 3:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2023 NBA first round draft picks Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney getting ready to take on their first NBA season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The 2023-24 NBA regular season is getting ready to tipoff, with the Crimson Tide being represented by nine players in the league.
Three former Crimson Tide standouts from last season's roster have found their way onto an NBA team, with Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets, Noah Clowney of the Brooklyn Nets and Charles Bediako of the San Antonio Spurs.
The rookie trio is joined by six former Crimson Tide players in the NBA, including two young stars in Herbert Jones who signed a four-year deal worth over 53 million dollars this offseason with the New Orleans Pelicans and Collin Sexton who averaged over 14 points per game in his first season with the Utah Jazz.
Below is a look at the former Crimson Tide players that are currently in the league.
Charles Bediako, San Antonio Spurs
- Went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, signed a training camp contract with the Spurs which was ultimately converted into a two-way contract.
- In five appearances in the NBA Summer League, Bediako averaged 5.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks over 13.1 minutes per game. In his two preseason appearances, he averaged 2.0 points and 0.5 rebounds over a span of 4.3 minutes per game.
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets
- Drafted by the Brooklyn Nets with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
- In three preseason games, he averaged 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists across 12.1 minutes per game
- Clowney emphasized needing patience at this level, and being a team player, helping the Nets win in whichever way is asked of him
JD Davison, Boston Celtics
- Finished the 2022-23 season appearing in 12 games for the Celtics, averaging 1.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 5.5 minutes per game in 12 contests as a rookie
- Spent the majority of last season with the Celtics G-League affiliate, appearing in 26 games and averaging 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in 31.3 minutes per game
Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings
- Split his time between the Kings G-League and Sacramento appearing in 16 games for Sacramento, while appearing in 23 games for the Kings G-League affiliate. Over his 16-game span with the Kings, he averaged 1.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. During his time with their G-League affiliate, Ellis averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in 30.4 minutes per game.
- Ellis will have an expanded role with the Kings if he can run the point, as well as play off the ball on the offensive end; both things he's worked on over the summer
Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Finished the 2022-23 season averaging 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and .4 assists in 29.6 minutes per game for the Pelicans
- Jones has put heavy emphasis in his work this offseason on his ability to knock down the corner three, becoming more of a scoring a threat on offense
- Jones is excited to showcase the improvements the Pelicans have made in preparation for his third year in the league.
Kira Lewis Jr., New Orleans Pelicans
- Averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 9.4 minutes per game during his third season in the league
- Lewis is confident heading into the new year, as he has regained his speed and explosiveness, following two seasons off due to a knee injury
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
- The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Miller looks to have an immediate impact on the success of a young Hornets team
- In four preseason games, Miller averaged 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over 26.1 minutes per game.
- Miller's excited to share the court with his teammates and showcase his ability to the rest of the league on both ends of the court
Joshua Primo, Los Angeles Clippers
- Signed a two-way contract with the Clippers for this upcoming 2023-24 season
- Finished the 2021-22 season with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over 23.3 minutes per game
Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
- Headed into his sixth year in the league and second with the Jazz
- Finished the 2022-23 season averaging 14.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assist over 23.9 minutes per game
- Sexton is excited to lead the Jazz, whether by example or vocal, and fill the void left by Mike Conley's free agency departure
- Sexton is ready to expand his role and be a pest on the defensive end, after feeling that he was a step behind
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