WNBA STATEMENT REGARDING KELLY LOEFFLER
NEW YORK, July 7, 2020 – WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert released the following statement:
“The WNBA is based on the principle of equal and fair treatment of all people and we, along with the teams and players, will continue to use our platforms to vigorously advocate for social justice. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has not served as a Governor of the Atlanta Dream since October 2019 and is no longer involved in the day-to-day business of the team.”
WNBA ANNOUNCES A 2020 SEASON DEDICATED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
WITH GAMES HONORING THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
AND THE #SAYHERNAME CAMPAIGN
TOGETHER THE WNBA AND WNBPA LAUNCH A NEW PLATFORM, THE JUSTICE MOVEMENT, TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES AND LEADERSHIP OF WNBA PLAYERS
– In Addition to Games, IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida Will Host Programming to Connect Players with Each Other and Their Communities–
NEW YORK, July 6, 2020 – The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) today announced the launch of a new platform, The Justice Movement, and the creation of the WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council. The collaborative efforts of the League and the Players Association represent an unprecedented and bold new commitment to advancing social justice by the longest standing U.S. sports league for women, as well as the first labor union for professional women athletes. The mission of the Social Justice Council is to be a driving force of necessary and continuing conversations about race, voting rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and gun control amongst other important societal issues.
In its inaugural season, the Social Justice Council will cultivate designated spaces for community conversations, virtual roundtables, player-produced podcasts, and other activations to address this country’s long history of inequality, implicit bias and systemic racism that has targeted black and brown communities. With an intentional plan to educate, amplify and mobilize for action, the WNBA and the WNBPA will focus on engaging educators, activists, community and business leaders with players, team and league staff, and fans. With a common goal to build bridges to communities and create sustainable change, the League and the Players Association are committed to continuing this collaborative work at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the Official Home of the WNBA 2020 Season.
The work of the Social Justice Council will be led by players like Layshia Clarendon, Sydney Colson, Breanna Stewart, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, A’ja Wilson and Satou Sabally, among others. Those who have proudly stepped up to champion and advise the players include Alicia Garza (Founder, Black Future Labs, political activist, and co-founder of Black Lives Matter), Carolyn DeWitt (CEO, Rock the Vote), and Beverly Bond (Founder/CEO, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and Celebrity DJ). The expanded list of Social Justice Council members, advisors, and programming will be announced at a later date.
The WNBA will begin its season in late July with a weekend of competition centered around the Black Lives Matter movement, during which teams will wear special uniforms to seek justice for the women and girls, including Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Vanessa Guillen and many more who have been the forgotten victims of police brutality and racial violence. Throughout the season, players will wear NIKE-branded warm-up shirts that display “Black Lives Matter” on the front. Additionally, “Say Her Name” will adorn the back of the shirts. “Black Lives Matter” will also be prominently displayed on courts during games.
“We are incredibly proud of WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspiring voices and effective actions in the league’s dedicated fight against systemic racism and violence,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Working together with the WNBPA and the teams, the league aims to highlight players’ social justice efforts throughout the 2020 season and beyond. Systemic change can’t happen overnight, but it is our shared responsibility to do everything we can to raise awareness and promote the justice we hope to see in society.”
“As many WNBA players–past and present–have said and, more importantly, consistently demonstrated, the reason why you see us engaging and leading the charge when it comes to social advocacy is because it is in our DNA,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. “With 140-plus voices all together for the first time ever, we can be a powerful force connecting to our sisters across the country and in other parts of the world. And may we all recognize that the league’s stated commitment to us – in this season and beyond – offers a pivotal moment in sports history.”
As part of The Justice Movement platform, the WNBA and players will continue to work together to drive impactful, measurable and meaningful change.
About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.
In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers. Inaugural WNBA Changemakers include AT&T, Deloitte and Nike. For more information, visit WNBA.com.
About the Women’s National Basketball Players Association
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is the union for current women’s professional basketball players in the WNBA. The WNBPA is the first labor union for professional women athletes. It was created in 1998 to protect the rights of players and assist them in achieving their full potential on and off the court. The WNBPA handles the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), filing grievances on their behalf, and counseling players on benefits and post-WNBA career opportunities. The new eight-year CBA, which commences with the 2020 season and runs through 2027, provides the foundation to chart a new course for women's professional basketball. The WNBPA also serves as a resource for current players, while they are competing internationally during the offseason. The WNBPA encourages players to participate in union activities – including executive leadership roles, team representative positions, and global community outreach initiatives.
WNBA ANNOUNCES COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
NEW YORK, July 6, 2020 – In tests conducted of 137 WNBA players between June 28-July 5, seven players have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Any player who tested positive will remain in self-isolation until she satisfies public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and has been cleared by a physician.
Players and staff from 11 of the 12 WNBA teams will arrive at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida today. The Indiana Fever will delay their travel by at least five days in an abundance of caution due to the CDC’s close contact self-quarantine requirements.
NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
NEW YORK, July 2, 2020 – In tests conducted of 344 NBA players between June 24-29, an additional nine players have tested positive for the coronavirus. Twenty-five of 351 players have tested positive since testing began on June 23.
In tests conducted of 884 team staff between June 23-29, 10 have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Any player, coach or team staff member who tested positive will remain in self-isolation until they satisfy public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and have been cleared by a physician.
- NBA career spanned four decades as an Official and Referee Operations Administrator -
NEW YORK, June 30, 2020 – Joe Borgia, a former NBA official and current senior vice president, referee operations, announced his retirement today following a celebrated 32-year NBA career.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to officiate at the top of our profession and then transition to a role committed to the advancement and improvement of our officials,” said Borgia. “I am especially proud of the NBA Replay Center. Its continued evolution in improving our game is an example of the dedication the NBA’s Referee Operations department has to excellence and innovation.”
Borgia was instrumental in the design and development of the NBA Replay Center, which opened with the 2014-15 season. The state-of-the-art facility, based in Secaucus, N.J., has been a groundbreaking tool to enhance the performance of NBA referees and to accelerate the replay review process.
For five seasons from 2014-19, Borgia was the main point of contact for the NBA Replay Center. This season, he refocused his efforts on the newly created Coach’s Challenge. As he did with the Replay Center, Borgia developed the rules and handled the execution for the Coach’s Challenge, which was approved by the NBA Board of Governors for use during the 2019-20 season.
“Joe’s imprint on the NBA and contributions to a multitude of officiating platforms will be lasting,” said Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. “We thank him for his leadership, passion and committed service to the game, and wish him the best in his retirement.”
Borgia was hired to the NBA referee staff in 1988. He officiated 10 seasons before an injury forced him to retire in 1998. He joined the basketball and referee operations department in 1999.
He served as the NBA’s rules interpreter for more than 15 years, creating training videos and interpreting the rules of the game for officials, teams, broadcasters and media. Borgia made many in-game and postgame appearances on network television to give broadcasters and viewers clarity on rules interpretation and officiating calls. He was also instrumental in converting the NBA’s recruitment and development of officials from the Continental Basketball Association to the NBA’s D-League (currently the G League).
On the court, Borgia worked two of the most famous games in NBA history: the highest-scoring game (Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets, 186-184 on Dec. 13, 1983) and the longest modern-day game (Seattle SuperSonics at Milwaukee Bucks, which lasted five overtimes, on Nov. 9, 1989).
Borgia is the son of the late Sid Borgia, a legendary referee who officiated in the NBA for 20 years beginning in 1946. Sid Borgia also served as supervisor of officials during the latter years of his career.
NBA G LEAGUE RECOGNIZES WISCONSIN HERD AND SALT LAKE CITY STARS FOR TOP CONFERENCE RECORDS IN 2019-20 SEASON
– NBA G League to Donate $10,000 to Community Organization Selected by Each Team –
NEW YORK, June 29, 2020 – The NBA G League today recognized the Wisconsin Herd and Salt Lake City Stars for finishing the 2019-20 season with the best records in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, respectively.
In honor of their achievement, the NBA G League will donate $10,000 to a community organization of each team’s choosing. Wisconsin has selected the National Urban League and Salt Lake City has selected Represent Justice to receive the donation.
“The Wisconsin Herd and Salt Lake City Stars are exceptional organizations and well deserving of this recognition,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “Both teams played with purpose throughout the season to earn their spots at the top of the NBA G League.”
The Herd finished with the NBA G League’s best record at 33-10 under head coach Chase Buford. Wisconsin, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, led the league in net rating and ranked third in defensive rating. The Herd produced one GATORADE Call-Up – Rayjon Tucker to the Utah Jazz.
Led by head coach Martin Schiller, the Stars finished with a 30-12 record. Salt Lake City, the NBA G League affiliate of the Jazz, won the 2019 MGM Resorts NBA G League Winter Showcase at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Salt Lake City produced two GATORADE Call-Ups – Juwan Morgan to the Jazz and William Howard to the Houston Rockets.
The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.
– Season Resumes on July 30 with Jazz vs. Pelicans and Clippers vs. Lakers in TNT Doubleheader –
– ESPN’s Game Coverage Restarts on July 31 with Celtics vs. Bucks and Rockets vs. Mavericks –
NEW YORK, June 26, 2020 – The NBA today released its complete game schedule and national television schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV for the “seeding games,” which will be played July 30 – Aug. 14 to tip off the resumption of the 2019-20 season.
The 22 teams participating in the season restart will play eight seeding games each at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The team-by-team schedules for the seeding games are available here.
On Thursday, July 30, the season will resume with a TNT doubleheader as the Utah Jazz faces the New Orleans Pelicans (6:30 p.m. ET) and the LA Clippers meet the Los Angeles Lakers (9 p.m. ET).
ESPN will tip off its restart game telecasts with a doubleheader on Friday, July 31 and four games on Saturday, Aug. 1. Friday’s doubleheader will feature the Boston Celtics vs. the Milwaukee Bucks (6:30 p.m. ET) and the Houston Rockets vs. the Dallas Mavericks (9 p.m. ET). Saturday’s schedule on ESPN will begin with a matchup between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets (1 p.m. ET).
ABC will present two games on Sunday, Aug. 2, with the Portland Trail Blazers taking on the Celtics (3:30 p.m. ET) and the Bucks meeting the Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET).
NBA TV will televise seven games during the first week of the season restart, beginning with a matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers on July 31 (4 p.m. ET).
During the season restart, there will be a maximum of seven seeding games per day across three venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Each team will be designated as the home team in four seeding games and the visiting team in four seeding games. The tip-off time for each team’s last seeding game, scheduled to be played on Aug. 13 or 14, will be determined at a later date in order to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience. As part of the restart, the NBA and its broadcast and technology partners are collaborating to enhance game telecasts and bring fans an immersive, interactive viewing experience.
The 88 seeding games, which were selected from the remaining 259 regular-season matchups, will count toward the final 2019-20 regular-season standings and regular-season statistics. In the first step of the selection process for the seeding games, the matchups were chosen chronologically, starting from March 11, except in these instances:
- A matchup featured a non-participating team
- A matchup resulted in either team in the matchup exceeding eight total games
- A matchup prevented any participating team from having eight feasible matchups
The second step in the selection process was matchup balancing. There were eight instances in which selecting matchups chronologically prevented a matchup that was scheduled to be played two more times in the remainder of the regular season from being included among the seeding games. In those cases, one instance of that matchup was added as a seeding game, and instances of repeat matchups as seeding games were removed where possible.
For example: Milwaukee’s two remaining regular-season matchups against the Washington Wizards were scheduled to be played on March 21 and 27 and their two remaining regular-season matchups against the Brooklyn Nets were scheduled to be played on April 9 and 15. If matchups for seeding games were selected in chronological order only, then the Bucks would have been scheduled to play the Wizards twice and the Nets zero times. To balance the matchups, one instance of a Bucks-Nets matchup was added as a seeding game and one instance of a Bucks-Wizards matchup was removed as a seeding game.
The seeding games will conclude on Aug. 14. If a play-in is required to determine the eighth playoff seed in either conference, it will take place on Aug. 15-16. The first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs will begin on Aug. 17.
MVP FRANK MASON III HEADLINES 2019-20 ALL-NBA G LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
– NBA G League Rookie of the Year Tremont Waters Leads All-Rookie Team –
– NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year Christ Koumadje Highlights All-Defensive Team –
NEW YORK, June 26, 2020 – NBA G League Most Valuable Player Frank Mason III of the Wisconsin Herd headlines the 2019-20 All-NBA G League Teams, which were announced today along with the All-Defensive Team and the All-Rookie Team.
Mason is joined on the All-NBA G League First Team by Herd guard Jaylen Adams, Salt Lake City Stars forward Jarrell Brantley, South Bay Lakers forward Devontae Cacok and Memphis Hustle forward Jarrod Uthoff. Brantley, Cacok, Mason and Uthoff have played in both the NBA G League and the NBA this season.
The All-NBA G League Second Team features Grand Rapids Drive forward Donta Hall, Lakeland Magic forward BJ Johnson and guard Josh Magette, Agua Caliente Clippers forward Johnathan Motley and Maine Red Claws guard Tremont Waters. All five players have seen action in the NBA this season.
The All-NBA G League Third Team is composed of Long Island Nets forward Justin Anderson, Memphis guard Dusty Hannahs, Wisconsin forward Jemerrio Jones, Lakeland forward Vic Law and Delaware Blue Coats guard-forward Marial Shayok. Anderson, Hannahs, Law and Shayok have played in the NBA this season, bringing the total to 13 of 15 players on the three NBA G League Teams who have competed in both leagues in 2019-20.
Waters, the 2019-20 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, leads the NBA G League All-Rookie Team. He is joined by Salt Lake City’s Brantley, South Bay’s Cacok, Grand Rapids’ Hall and Delaware’s Shayok.
Delaware center Christ Koumadje, the 2019-20 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, headlines the NBA G League All-Defensive Team. Joining Koumadje are Maine center Tacko Fall, Grand Rapids guard Tra-Deon Hollins, Canton Charge guard Sir’Dominic Pointer and Westchester Knicks forward Kenny Wooten.
The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.
Below are the complete All-NBA G League Teams, the All-Rookie Team and the All-Defensive Team. The league’s 28 head coaches and general managers selected each team.
2019-20 ALL-NBA G LEAGUE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Jarrell Brantley – Salt Lake City Stars^
Devontae Cacok – South Bay Lakers*^
Frank Mason III – Wisconsin Herd^
Jarrod Uthoff – Memphis Hustle*
SECOND TEAM
BJ Johnson – Lakeland Magic*^
Josh Magette – Lakeland Magic^
Johnathan Motley – Agua Caliente Clippers^
Tremont Waters – Maine Red Claws^
THIRD TEAM
Dusty Hannahs – Memphis Hustle*
Jemerrio Jones – Wisconsin Herd
Vic Law – Lakeland Magic*^
Marial Shayok – Delaware Blue Coats^
2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Jarrell Brantley – Salt Lake City Stars^
Devontae Cacok – South Bay Lakers*^
Donta Hall – Grand Rapids Drive*#
Marial Shayok – Delaware Blue Coats^
Tremont Waters – Maine Red Claws^
2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Tacko Fall – Maine Red Claws^
Trae-Deon Hollins – Grand Rapids Drive
Christ Koumadje – Delaware Blue Coats
Sir’Dominic Pointer – Canton Charge*#
Kenny Wooten – Westchester Knicks*^
NBA AND NBPA FINALIZE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FOR JULY 30 RESTART TO 2019-20 SEASON
FOR JULY 30 RESTART TO 2019-20 SEASON
NEW YORK, June 26, 2020 – The National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association announced today that they have finalized a comprehensive plan for a July 30 restart to the 2019-20 season, which includes stringent health and safety protocols, a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the goal of taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.
In addition, the NBA and Disney have reached an agreement that makes the Arena, the Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the venues for all games for the remainder of the season, which will resume with 22 teams returning to play and with no fans in attendance.
The NBA and the NBPA confirmed today an agreement on health and safety protocols that will govern the resumption of the season. The rigorous program, which addresses risks related to COVID-19 and focuses on the well-being of players, coaches, officials and staff, was developed in consultation with public health experts, infectious disease specialists and government officials.
As announced on Wednesday, the NBA and the NBPA have agreed in principle that the goal of the season restart will be to find tangible and sustainable ways to address racial inequality across the country. Leaders from the NBA and the NBPA have also discussed strategies to increase Black representation across the NBA and its teams, ensure greater inclusion of Black-owned and operated businesses across NBA business activities, and form an NBA foundation to expand educational and economic development opportunities across the Black community. In recognition that long-term change can only come from an informed and sustained commitment, conversations regarding these efforts will continue and additional details will be released at a later date.
“We have worked together with the Players Association to establish a restart plan that prioritizes health and safety, preserves competitive fairness and provides a platform to address social justice issues,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are grateful to our longtime collaborator Disney for its role in playing host and making this return to play possible, and we also thank the public health officials and infectious disease specialists who helped guide the creation of comprehensive medical protocols and protections.”
“It is very exciting to officially announce the restart of the 2019-2020 season,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts. “It has taken true collaboration between the League and the Union – special kudos to our Executive Committee and several other team reps – along with the continued support and assistance from medical experts, public health officials and many others. Additionally, our platform in Orlando presents a unique opportunity to extend the ongoing fight against systemic racism and police brutality in this country. We will continue to work with our players and the League to develop specific plans in Orlando as well as long-term initiatives to bring about real change on these issues.”
“We’re glad to be able to provide a unique venue where the NBA can resume its season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “We look forward to welcoming the players, coaches and staff to Walt Disney World Resort as they prepare for the exciting return of professional basketball.”
Under the competitive format for the restart, the 22 participating teams will be the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams that are currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference.
The restart will begin with each participating team playing eight “seeding games,” as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. The complete game and national television schedules for the seeding games will be announced tonight. The NBA and its broadcast and technology partners are collaborating to enhance game telecasts and bring fans an immersive, interactive viewing experience.
At the conclusion of the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular-season games and seeding games will be the first through seventh seeds for the NBA Playoffs for that conference. If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage (regular-season games and seeding games) in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best winning percentage would be the eighth playoff seed in that conference.
If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference (Team 8) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the same conference (Team 9), then those two teams would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed in the conference. The play-in tournament will be double elimination for Team 8 and single elimination for Team 9.
The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will be used to break any ties on the basis of winning percentage. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than Oct. 13.
About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is one of the premier sites for amateur sports in the nation. The complex hosts more than 100 entertainment and sporting events each year and has accommodated 70 different sports featuring athletes from 70 different countries. Designed to provide professional, amateur and youth athletes with experiences synonymous with the names Disney and ESPN, the 220-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including 16 baseball/softball fields, a 9,500-seat ballpark, 18 multi-purpose outdoor fields for soccer, football and field hockey, three indoor venues for basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and other indoor sports, a track & field facility and a cross country course. For more information, visit www.disneysportsnews.com for news releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @ESPNWWOS and at Facebook at ESPNWWOS.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is one of the premier sites for amateur sports in the nation. The complex hosts more than 100 entertainment and sporting events each year and has accommodated 70 different sports featuring athletes from 70 different countries. Designed to provide professional, amateur and youth athletes with experiences synonymous with the names Disney and ESPN, the 220-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including 16 baseball/softball fields, a 9,500-seat ballpark, 18 multi-purpose outdoor fields for soccer, football and field hockey, three indoor venues for basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and other indoor sports, a track & field facility and a cross country course. For more information, visit www.disneysportsnews.com for news releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @ESPNWWOS and at Facebook at ESPNWWOS.
WISCONSIN HERD’S FRANK MASON III NAMED 2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
NEW YORK, June 25, 2020 – Wisconsin Herd guard Frank Mason III has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player, the NBA G League announced today. He earned the honor in a vote by the league’s 28 head coaches and general managers.
Mason (5-11, 190, Kansas), who signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks last July, averaged an NBA G League-high 26.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games with the Herd. Wisconsin went 18-5 with Mason in the lineup and finished with the league’s best record (33-10).
Mason shot 50.4 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from three-point range and 81.5 percent from the free throw line, joining the Fort Wayne Mad Ants’ Stephan Hicks as the only players in the NBA G League to record a 50/40/80 shooting season in 2019-20.
A 2019-20 Midseason All-NBA G League Team selection, Mason registered seven games with at least 30 points. He scored a season-high 44 points against the Grand Rapids Drive on Feb. 19 and followed that performance by finishing with 36 points (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) against the Drive on Feb. 23. In his second-to-last NBA G League game of the season, he made 16-of-18 shots from the field and had 35 points against the Delaware Blue Coats on Feb. 27.
This season marked Mason’s first action in the NBA G League after spending two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, who selected him with the 34th pick in NBA Draft 2017 presented by State Farm. He was the 2016-17 consensus National Player of the Year as a senior at Kansas.
In his NBA career, Mason has averaged 6.5 points and 2.5 assists in 96 games with the Kings and Bucks. He has appeared in six games for Milwaukee this season.
Herd guard Jaylen Adams and Maine Red Claws guard Tremont Waters finished second and third, respectively, in voting for the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player Award.
The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.
NBA G League Most Valuable Players
2019-20: Frank Mason III (Wisconsin Herd)
2018-19: Chris Boucher (Raptors 905)
2017-18: Lorenzo Brown (Raptors 905)
2016-17: Vander Blue (Los Angeles D-Fenders)
2015-16: Jarnell Stokes (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
2014-15: Tim Frazier (Maine Red Claws)
2013-14: Ron Howard (Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
Othyus Jeffers (Iowa Energy)
2012-13: Andrew Goudelock (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
2011-12: Justin Dentmon (Austin Toros)
2010-11: Curtis Stinson (Iowa Energy)
2009-10: Mike Harris (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
2008-09: Courtney Sims (Iowa Energy)
2007-08: Kasib Powell (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
2006-07: Randy Livingston (Idaho Stampede)
2005-06: Marcus Fizer (Austin Toros)
2004-05: Matt Carroll (Roanoke Dazzle)
2003-04: Tierre Brown (Charleston Lowgators)
2002-03: Devin Brown (Fayetteville Patriots)
2001-02: Ansu Sesay (Greenville Groove)
NBA and NBPA Advance Talks on Social Justice Efforts
NEW YORK, June 24, 2020 – Yesterday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, NBA Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Oris Stuart and other league officials met with NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts, NBPA President Chris Paul, NBPA First Vice President Andre Iguodala and several players to further advance the league’s collective response to the social justice issues in our country. This meeting was part of ongoing discussions between the NBA and the Players Association to address the game’s role in facilitating solutions to the persistent inequities plaguing the Black community.
The NBA and NBPA are both committed to fostering an environment that encourages candid conversations between players and league and team leadership and finding tangible and sustainable ways to address racial inequality across the country. The group that met yesterday agreed in principle that the goal of the season restart in Orlando will be to take collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice. Conversations also covered strategies to increase Black representation across the NBA and its teams, ensure greater inclusion of Black-owned and operated businesses across NBA business activities, and form an NBA foundation to expand educational and economic development opportunities across the Black community.
While specific plans were not finalized, there was broad alignment about the direction and priorities of the efforts, especially with regard to supporting players’ activism and leadership. In recognition that long-term change can only come from an informed and sustained commitment, conversations regarding these efforts will be ongoing, and additional details will be released at a later date.
“The issues of systemic racism and police brutality in our country need to end,” said Paul. “As a union of NBA players and as a league, it is our job to use our collective platform to both put a spotlight on those issues and work to effect change. As players, we have taken a leadership role when it comes to using our voices and implementing practical solutions, but there is much work ahead both in Orlando and long-term to continue the momentum and bring about real, long-lasting change to our society.”
“The league and the players are uniquely positioned to have a direct impact on combating systemic racism in our country, and we are committed to collective action to build a more equal and just society,” said Silver. “A shared goal of our season restart will be to use our platform in Orlando to bring attention to these important issues of social justice. We look forward to engaging in ongoing conversations with the players and their Association about our joint leaguewide initiative and thank Michele, Chris and the other players for their leadership toward creating meaningful, long-term change.”
In addition to Silver, Tatum, Stuart, Roberts, Paul and Iguodala, attendees for yesterday’s meeting included NBA President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy Behrens, NBA Senior Vice President of Player Development Greg Taylor, NBA Senior Vice President of Content Business Operations Kori Davis Porter, NBPA Foundation Executive Director Sherrie Deans, Malcolm Brogdon of the Indiana Pacers, CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.
WESTCHESTER KNICKS’ IVAN RABB RECEIVES 2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE JASON COLLIER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
NEW YORK, June 23, 2020 – Westchester Knicks forward Ivan Rabb has received the 2019-20 NBA G League Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award, as voted on by all NBA G League players. The award honors the player who best represents the ideals of character and conduct on the court and in the community.
Rabb was an integral member of the Westchester community throughout the season. As part of his efforts, he helped unload 1,000 turkeys to Feeding Westchester in conjunction with Stop & Shop’s annual Turkey Express program.
In his third season in the NBA G League, Rabb (6-10, 220, California) averaged 16.5 points and an NBA G League-high 12.1 rebounds in 29 games. He finished the season with three consecutive double-doubles and recorded a single-game franchise record 24 rebounds in a 115-104 loss to the Wisconsin Herd on March 6. On Feb. 29, Rabb posted 32 points, 12 rebounds and six steals in a 129-115 victory over the Greensboro Swarm.
Rabb, who signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks last October, appeared in 18 games for Westchester before being waived on Jan. 13. He re-joined the Knicks’ NBA G League affiliate on Jan. 23 and finished out the season.
Rabb joined the Knicks after spending the previous two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 34th pick in NBA Draft 2017 presented by State Farm and traded to Memphis. Rabb was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection in two seasons at the University of California.
In his NBA career, Rabb has averaged 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 85 games with the Grizzlies. He did not appear in an NBA game with the Knicks this season. He holds career averages of 17.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in 54 NBA G League games with Westchester and the Memphis Hustle.
The Sportsmanship Award honors former NBA G League, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier, who passed away suddenly on Oct. 15, 2005. Collier, a 2003-04 All-NBA G League First Team selection as a member of the Fayetteville Patriots, was a player and person who exemplified the qualities of a faithful teammate, husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was preparing to begin his sixth NBA season at the time of his death.
Each NBA G League team nominated one player for the Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by all NBA G League players. Canton Charge guard Levi Randolph, who signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in January, finished second. Long Island Nets guard Devin Cannady finished third.
The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.
Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award Winners
2019-20: Ivan Rabb (Westchester Knicks)
2018-19: Gabe York (Lakeland Magic)
2017-18: C.J. Williams (Agua Caliente Clippers)
2016-17: Keith Wright (Westchester Knicks)
2015-16: Scott Suggs (Raptors 905)
2014-15: Renaldo Major (Bakersfield Jam)
2013-14: Ron Howard (Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
2012-13: Ron Howard (Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
2011-12: Moses Ehambe (Iowa Energy)
2010-11: Larry Owens (Tulsa 66ers)
2009-10: Andre Ingram (Utah Flash)
2008-09: Will Conroy (Albuquerque Thunderbirds)
2007-08: Billy Thomas (Colorado 14ers)
2007-08: Roger Powell (Arkansas RimRockers)
2006-07: Ime Udoka (Fort Worth Flyers)
MALIK ROSE AND DAVID BOOTH EACH NAMED NBA VICE PRESIDENT, BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
NEW YORK, June 22, 2020 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that two-time NBA champion Malik Rose and NBA front-office veteran David Booth have each been named Vice President, Basketball Operations. Rose and Booth, who both begin with the NBA today, will report to NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell.
As Vice President, Basketball Operations, Rose and Booth will be responsible for interfacing directly with teams and players regarding league programs, rules, new initiatives and competitive elements. Their roles are intended to further enhance and build upon the strong working relationship between NBA League Operations and its teams under the Respect for the Game umbrella as well as more broadly on all game-focused topics.
“We are delighted to add Malik and David to our talented staff in NBA League Operations,” said Spruell. “Their collective wisdom, expertise and experience at all levels of the game make them ideal choices to expand our connectivity with teams and players and provide valuable input and perspective on a host of basketball-related projects.”
Rose joins the league office from the Detroit Pistons, where he had served as Assistant General Manager since 2018. Prior to that, Rose worked as General Manager of the NBA G League’s Erie BayHawks from 2015-18. A 13-year NBA veteran who also served on the National Basketball Players Association’s executive committee, Rose won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 and 2003. He played collegiately at Drexel University and graduated with a degree in computer information systems. He also holds a master’s degree in sports management from Drexel.
Booth joins the league office after most recently serving as Director of Player Personnel for the New Orleans Pelicans from 2014-19. He has also worked in a scouting capacity for New Orleans and the Memphis Grizzlies. Booth was hired by New Orleans in 2010 after spending one season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, DePaul University, where he played from 1988-92 and earned a degree in communications. He played professionally overseas from 1992-2005.
MAINE RED CLAWS’ TREMONT WATERS NAMED 2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
NEW YORK, June 18, 2020 – Maine Red Claws guard Tremont Waters has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, the NBA G League announced today. The award, voted on by the league’s 28 head coaches and general managers, recognizes the first-year professional who most significantly contributed to his team’s success during the season.
Waters (5-10, 175, LSU), a two-way player with the Boston Celtics, averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.89 steals in 36 games for Maine. He ranked sixth in the NBA G League in assists per game and 14th in steals per game. Waters registered 10 games with at least 20 points and seven assists, including a season-high 33-point, seven-assist performance in a 155-131 road win over the Greensboro Swarm on Nov. 27.
Behind the 22-year-old Waters, the Red Claws finished in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 28-14 record. Waters was named the NBA G League Player of the Month for November and earned a spot on the 2019-20 Midseason All-NBA G League Team in the Eastern Conference.
Boston selected Waters in the second round (51st pick overall) of NBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm after he averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 assists and 2.91 steals as a sophomore at LSU in the 2018-19 season. Signed to a two-way contract last July, Waters has appeared in 10 games with the Celtics this season.
Waters is the fourth Maine player to be selected as the NBA G League Rookie of the Year, joining Abdel Nader (2016-17), Tim Frazier (2014-15) and DeShawn Sims (2010-11).
Waters appeared in 36 of Maine’s 42 games this season. The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.
Salt Lake City Stars forward Jarrell Brantley and South Bay Lakers forward Devontae Cacok finished second and third, respectively, in voting for the 2019-20 NBA G League Rookie of the Year Award.
NBA G League Rookie of the Year Winners
2019-20: Tremont Waters, Maine Red Claws
2018-19: Angel Delgado, Aqua Caliente Clippers
2017-18: Antonio Blakeney, Windy City Bulls
2016-17: Abdel Nader, Maine Red Claws
2015-16: Quinn Cook, Canton Charge
2014-15: Tim Frazier, Maine Red Claws
2013-14: Robert Covington, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2012-13: Tony Mitchell, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2011-12: Edwin Ubiles, Dakota Wizards
2010-11: DeShawn Sims, Maine Red Claws
2009-10: Alonzo Gee, Austin Toros
2008-09: Othyus Jeffers, Iowa Energy
2007-08: Blake Ahearn, Dakota Wizards
2006-07: Louis Amundson, Colorado 14ers
2005-06: Will Bynum, Roanoke Dazzle
2004-05: James Thomas, Roanoke Dazzle
2003-04: Desmond Penigar, Asheville Altitude
2002-03: Devin Brown, Fayetteville Patriots
2001-02: Fred House, Charleston Lowgators
NBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES COMPETITIVE FORMAT TO RESTART 2019-20 SEASON WITH 22 TEAMS RETURNING TO PLAY
NEW YORK, June 4, 2020 – The NBA Board of Governors today approved a competitive format to restart the 2019-20 season with 22 teams returning to play and a tentative start date of Friday, July 31. The Board’s approval is the first formal step among many required to resume the season.
The NBA is working to finalize a comprehensive season restart plan with the National Basketball Players Association. The NBA and the NBPA are working with infectious disease specialists, public health experts and government officials to establish a rigorous program to prevent and mitigate the risk related to COVID-19, including a regular testing protocol and stringent safety practices. The season restart is also contingent on an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to use Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, as a single site for a campus for all games, practices and housing for the remainder of the season.
Based on the competitive format that the NBA Board of Governors approved today, the 22 returning teams would be the 16 teams (eight per conference) in current playoff positions and the six teams that are currently six games or fewer behind the eighth seed in their respective conferences. Those two groups comprise teams with the NBA’s 22 best records.
“The Board’s approval of the restart format is a necessary step toward resuming the NBA season,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts. We also recognize that as we prepare to resume play, our society is reeling from recent tragedies of racial violence and injustice, and we will continue to work closely with our teams and players to use our collective resources and influence to address these issues in very real and concrete ways.”
The season restart would begin with eight “seeding games” for each returning team and include the possibility of a play-in tournament for the eighth and final playoff seed in each conference depending on combined records across regular-season games and seeding games. Once the 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs would proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The NBA Finals would end no later than Oct. 12. (See below for the list of returning teams and additional details.)
If, as tentatively scheduled, the season resumes on July 31, then the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery would be rescheduled for Aug. 25, the 2020 NBA Draft would be held on Oct. 15 and the 2020-21 NBA regular season would likely begin on Dec. 1, 2020.
The 14 NBA Lottery teams would be the eight teams that do not participate in the restart and the six teams that participate in the restart but do not qualify for the playoffs. These teams would be seeded in the lottery and assigned odds based on their records through games of March 11. The 16 playoff teams would draft in inverse order of their combined records across regular-season games and seeding games.
NBA Season Restart: Competitive Format Plan
The 22 returning teams for the season restart would be the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards from the Eastern Conference and the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns from the Western Conference.
Each returning team would play eight seeding games, as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. At the conclusion of the seeding games, the seven teams in each conference with the best combined records across regular-season games and seeding games would qualify for the playoffs.
If the team with the eighth-best combined record in its conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined record in the same conference, then the team with the eighth-best record would earn the eighth playoff seed.
If the team with the eighth-best combined record in its conference (Team A) is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined record in the same conference (Team B), then Teams A and B would compete in a play-in tournament to determine the eighth playoff seed. To earn the eighth playoff seed, Team A would need to defeat Team B once and Team B would need to defeat Team A two games in a row.
The 2019-20 season would conclude with a traditional playoff format with best-of-seven series in the first round, conference semifinals, conference finals and the NBA Finals.
With the NBA closing in on its return, the NBA released a 113-page health and safety memo detailing the protocols that will be in place to combat the virus and ensure the safety of those involved.
Movie nights, card games, ping pong (solo only) and DJ sets will be part of the NBA’s return to play too, providing players with ample activities to keep themselves occupied while they aren’t playing ball.
However, one thing not included in the memo was adult entertainment. Of course every player will have an Internet connection and will likely enjoy copious amounts of porn while they are sequestered in their rooms (and some not with their significant other or side piece).
Cams.com, a leading adult entertainment webcam company, would like to formally extend an offer to all participants in the NBA in Orlando a comped VIP membership to its site. Players (and coaches) who sign up via nba@ffn.com and verify their identity will be provided with a VIP membership and free tokens to the site which would allow them access to Cams.com’s roster of beautiful models 24/7. If they are ever lonely or need some extra motivation before a big game, all they need to do is use their VIP membership credential to log on to the site and they will have an array of beautiful models at their disposal. They can chat with them in private cam rooms via voice and video text. The models can provide companionship, fun conversation, sexy stripteases and more.
Take some time to mull over my offer. I really hope some players/coaches will reach out and take advantage.
Vince Carter announces his retirement from the NBA after a record-setting 22-season career on today’s episode of WINGING IT WITH VINCE CARTER AND ANNIE FINBERG on The Ringer Podcast Network. Carter deep dives into his decision to walk away from the game, reminisces about his top moments from his illustrative career, speculates on what will come next, and much more.
Listen to the full podcast on Spotify here.
Highlights:
- Vince Carter announces his retirement from the NBA (1:51)
- How his love for golf helped him make this decision (4:35)
- Vince walks through, team by team, his favorite memories with each franchise
- His top moments in college at UNC and why his biggest regret was a missed dunk (28:09)
- In Toronto, winning Rookie-of-the-Year and the Dunk Contest (32:36)
- Some of his biggest dunks including those over Hakeem Olajuwon (34:40) and Alonzo Mourning (35:26)
- In Sacramento, speaking with protestors after the police killing of unarmed black man Stephon Clark, trying to get that game cancelled, and the parallels to today (45:30)
- Vince painfully remembers the hardest fouls he ever took including one from Shaq (54:49)
- Vince speculates about his next chapter, whether that’s in broadcasting, team management or ownership down the line (73:51)
Podcast Description: Vince Carter of the Atlanta Hawks returns to ‘Winging It’ for a second season with his co-host Annie Finberg. Vince and Annie are going off script to offer a behind-the-scenes look at what NBA players think and talk about, and an inside look at Vince’s 22nd and final season in the NBA. As well as talking to guests (from other players like Steph Curry to music stars like 2 Chainz), they’ll cover the Hawks’ season, the '19-’20 NBA season, the broader worlds of sports and pop culture, and much more. Whatever they’re talking about, just know they’re winging it.
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