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USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two former Alabama players reportedly receive contract update for 2025-26 NBA season
According to reports, a pair of former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball players have had their options' picked up by each's respective team entering the 2025-26 NBA season in Keon Ellis and JD Davison. Ellis' option was picked up by the Sacramento Kings, according to a report from The KingsBeat's James Ham, and will now enter next offseason as an unrestricted free agent, barring an extension. Davison had his team option exercised by the Boston Celtics, according to a report from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, which is worth $2.27 million non-guaranteed. After going undrafted out of Alabama in 2022, Ellis has spent each of the past three NBA seasons in Sacramento, a span in which he has started 49-of-153 games. A career 6.5 points per game scorer, Ellis is fresh off a career-year where he averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 48.9% shooting from the field. Ellis also started 28-of-80 games for the Kings, and shot 43.3% from three-point range, as well as 84.9% at the free throw line. As for Davison, the former second round pick from that same draft is coming off his third consecutive season on a two-way deal with Boston in which he saw action in only 16 games off the Celtics' bench. Over that sample size, the former Alabama guard averaged 2.1 points per game on 35.3% shooting from the field. Davison also spent a vast majority of the 2024-25 season in the NBA G League with the Maine Celtics in which he averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 48.2% shooting from the field. Because of this, Davison was named the 2024-25 NBA G League MVP at seasons end. Both of Ellis and Davison now enter important year four's in the league where the former is set to be a key piece of Sacramento's lineup, while the latter looks to finally break through in Boston off a career-year. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Alabama basketball guard, top recruit named 2024-25 NBA G League MVP
Former Alabama basketball guard, top recruit named 2024-25 NBA G League MVP Following a truly phenomenal regular season, former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball player JD Davison has been named the 2024-25 NBA G League MVP, according to an announcement from the league Wednesday morning. Currently on a two-way deal with the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, Davison has spent a majority of the 2024-25 season with the organization's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, where he has averaged a combined 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 45 games. Davison has also shot a combined 48.2% from the field, as well as led the Celtics to a 21-13 regular season record, good enough for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. A former second round pick by the Celtics in the 2022 NBA draft, the former Alabama guard is currently in his third professional season, each of which he has spent in the Boston organization. That span has included a combined 32 games with Boston in the NBA, 12 of which have come this season where he is averaging 1.7 points per game. One of the highest-rated recruits of the Nate Oats era, Davison spent only one season at Alabama in 2021-22 where he averaged a combined 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game to earn SEC All-Freshman honors.
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 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. HoopsHype Power Rankings NBA Power Rankings: 30 teams, 30 weaknesses Shootaround — A grumpy Paul George got stuck in the Eagles celebration traffic while driving in Philadelphia — 76ers snap 7-game losing streak thanks to elite defense from Philly's mascot (seriously) — Rockets Wire: With healthy knee, veteran center Steven Adams posts elite metrics for Rockets — LeBron Wire: JJ Redick and Lakers players comment on Jarred Vanderbilt's return
