" />
Ryan Parry/Archive
Former NC State forward T.J. Warren drives from the outside to the basket against Campbell on Nov. 16, 2013. Warren had 23 points and three rebounds in the Wolfpack’s 81-66 win over the Camels at PNC Arena.
T.J. Warren, small forward, Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Warren is continuing to have a great season, averaging 18.5 points on 49 percent field goal percentage and 43 percent 3-point shooting, which if the season ended today would be his career high. Warren is also averaging 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game, all of which come close to or tie career-highs. Despite Warren’s career-best year, the Suns are still continuing to have a disappointing season, but have hope with Warren, guard Devin Booker and others leading the way for the future.
Recently, the Suns were able to clear out the starting rotation by acquiring guard-forward Kelly Oubre Jr. in exchange for forward Trevor Ariza, who demanded a role on the starting lineup, diminishing Warren’s minutes at either the small forward or power forward position at some points in the season. This helps Warren, because he is able to maintain a spot on the starting lineup and he has someone off the bench who can complement him in-game as well in Oubre.
Dennis Smith Jr., point guard, Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Smith has had an efficient season thus far, averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals. Smith is shooting 44 percent from the floor and 38 percent from beyond the arc. While the fit with star rookie Luka Doncic has not been as ideal as the Mavericks had hoped, both young players show much promise, and show the foundations for a great young core. Smith will likely see even more minutes in the wake of unfortunate injury to back-up fan favorite, J.J. Barea, who will likely miss the season with a torn Achilles’ heel.
C.J. Williams, shooting guard, Minnesota Timberwolves/Iowa Wolves (NBA/NBA G-League)
Williams has still only played in six games for the Timberwolves, but he has continued to play well in the G-League, averaging 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals. Those numbers are all down from earlier in the season, but Williams is still a solid piece for both the Timberwolves and the Iowa Wolves. Williams has started nine of the 20 games he has played in for the Iowa Wolves this season.
Cat Barber, point guard, Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League)
Barber has struggled with injuries throughout the season, missing 10 games with an undisclosed injury. Because of this, Barber’s averages have diminished throughout the season, down to 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in only 19.8 minutes per game. However, when Barber gets back to full steam, he will certainly help the Swarm make a playoff push, as they sit at 12-13 at the halfway point and have a chance to make the G-League playoffs.
Maverick Rowan, small forward, Austin Spurs (NBA G-League)
Rowan was waived by the Westchester Knicks earlier in the season before being claimed from the available player pool by the Austin Spurs, the G-League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, last week. Rowan played with the Spurs in the NBA summer league, so he has some level of comfort with the franchise. Rowan has yet to play for the club in the two games they have played since he joined.
C.J. Leslie, power forward, Texas Legends (NBA G-League)
Leslie was acquired by the Texas Legends in the offseason via trade with the Raptors 905. Leslie, the older brother of current Wolfpack women’s basketball phenom Kiara Leslie, did not join the club until the middle of December, and he has now played eight games with the club. Leslie has started four of those eight games and is averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game.
Abdul-Malik Abu, small forward, KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (Croatian A-1 Liga)
Abu has now played 17 games with KK Vrijednosnice Osijek, and he has maintained high scoring averages throughout the season. Abu is averaging 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the club. Abu is a solid starter for the club and has been one of the top two scoring leaders for the club throughout the season.
Allerik Freeman, shooting guard, Alba Fehervar (Hungarian NBIA)
Freeman is averaging 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists for Alba Fehervar and has now played in 25 games for the club. Freeman is consistently a strong piece for the club and starts at shooting guard.
Terry Henderson, shooting guard, Scaligera Basket Verona (Italian Serie A2 Basket)
Henderson has upped his scoring average throughout the season with Scaligera Basket Verona, going up to 13.4 points from his 12.3 points per game earlier in the season. Henderson is also averaging 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his 15 games with the club.
Dez Lee, point guard, St. John’s Edge (Canadian NBL)
Lee is dominating in 17 games with the Edge, coming relatively close to averaging a double-double with 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists for the team. Lee’s recent surge has helped the club tremendously, as they began the season at 1-5 before turning on the heat and going 10-1 since. Lee’s dominance and the arrival of former NBA star Glen “Big Baby” Davis have saved the Edge’s season.
Scott Wood, small forward, BCM Gravelines (French Jeep Elite)
Wood has now played in 15 games for the Gravelines, averaging 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists for the club. While the Gravelines have had a mediocre season, Wood has been a bright spot for the team.
Lennard Freeman, power forward, Final Spor Genclik (Turkish TBL)
Freeman is averaging 16.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for Final Spor Genclik. Freeman starts at forward for the club, leading the team in rebounds and is second on the team in scoring, only behind guard LaceDarius Dunn, who averages 25 points per game.
Richard Howell, power forward, Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israeli BSL)
Howell has only played in five games for the club, but when he plays he leads the team in points, at 17 points per game, and starts at power forward. Howell also averages 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the club.
Courtney Fells, small forward, Quimsa (Argentinian Liga A)
Fells bounced around overseas after going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft. Fells had stints with multiple G-League teams, such as the Austin Spurs, who at the time were the Austin Toros, and the Westchester Knicks. Most recently, Fells joined Quimsa of the Argentinian Liga A and is averaging 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 13 games.
Note: Guard Lorenzo Brown was waived by the Toronto Raptors.