NOVEMBER 14, 2021 Miami (United States) - USA completed a historic double at the first-ever FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup, presented by Vaunt, in Miami, United States on November 12-14, 2021.
In the men's category, World Cup 2019 winners United States overcame their biggest challenge of the tournament in the final against Brazil (21-15).
24-year-old Charlie Brown Jr. was named MVP of the tournament after leading the U.S. in scoring with 41 points, including 6 in the final. He was joined on the team of the tournament by Brazil's André Ferros and Diego Moquete, who led the Dominican Republic to a historic bronze medal after an absolute thriller against Puerto Rico in the third-place game.
In the women's category, the United States and Brazil met again, with history repeating, this time 21-9 for USA.
US star Brionna Jones took home the MVP award after topping the scoring charts with 41 points in 5 games. She featured on a team of the tournament, which also included Brazil's Sassa and Canada's 3x3 star Michelle Plouffe.
Another woman - Barbara Cousino from Chile - won gold in the mixed shoot-out. US sharpshooter Trey Bardsley struck silver while Fernando Schuler (also from Chile) earned bronze.
Final Standings
Men
1. USA
2. Brazil
3. Dominican Republic
4. Puerto Rico
5. Canada
6. Jamaica
7. Mexico
8. Saint Lucia
9. Chile
10. Argentina
11. Uruguay
12. Guatemala
13. Trinidad and Tobago
14. Haiti
15. Guyana
16. Aruba
Women
1. USA
2. Brazil
3. Canada
4. Puerto Rico
5. Chile
6. Dominican Republic
7. Mexico
8. Argentina
9. Guyana
10. Guatemala
11. Uruguay
12. Trinidad and Tobago
13. Jamaica UTAH JAZZ AND INDIANA PACERS PLAYERS FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2021 – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, forward Joe Ingles and guard Donovan Mitchell, and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner have each been fined for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. Gobert, who pulled Turner to the floor and initiated an on-court altercation for which he received his second technical foul of the game and was ejected, has been fined $35,000. Turner has been fined $25,000 for escalating an on-court altercation by shoving Gobert, for which he was given a technical foul and was ejected. Ingles, who was assessed a technical foul and ejected, has been fined $30,000 for making inappropriate contact with a game official during an on-court altercation. Mitchell, who received a technical foul and was ejected, has been fined $20,000 for escalating an on-court altercation by verbally taunting an opponent. The incident occurred with 4:01 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 111-100 win over the Jazz on Nov. 11 at Vivint Arena. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/indiana-pacers-vs-utah-jazz-11-11-2021
TORONTO’S FRED VANVLEET FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2021 – Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident occurred with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Raptors’ 115-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 11 at Wells Fargo Center.
MAVS GAMING WINS TOP PICK IN 2022 NBA 2K LEAGUE DRAFT NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2021 – The NBA 2K League announced today that Mavs Gaming won the NBA 2K League Draft Lottery and will have the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA 2K League Draft. Cavs Legion GC will have the second overall pick, and Bucks Gaming will have the third overall pick. The 2022 NBA 2K League Draft pool will consist of players who win draft eligibility as part of the “NBA 2K League Draft Prospect Series,” unretained players from the 2021 season, select participants in the NBA 2K League’s Women in Gaming initiative, select competitors in the NBA 2K League’s APAC and European Invitationals, and high-performing players in the 2K community as determined by league and team officials. All players must be 18 years or older by Oct. 1, 2021 and must satisfy the NBA 2K League’s requirements to be eligible for the 2022 NBA 2K League Draft. The date of the 2022 NBA 2K League Draft will be announced at a later date. Today’s draft lottery was conducted by using a computerized random number generator. For complete details on the lottery process, click here. For more information on roster construction for the 2022 season, click here. Fans can also follow the NBA 2K League on Facebook (NBA 2K League), Instagram (nba2kleague), TikTok (nba2kleague), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and Twitter (NBA2KLeague) and visit NBA2KLeague.com.
About the NBA 2K League
The NBA 2K League, a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO), launched in 2018 and features 24 teams and the best NBA 2K players in the world. NBA 2K League partners include Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Champion Athleticwear, Dash Radio, DoorDash, eGG Network, ESRevolution, Loco, Mondelēz International, SAP, SCUF Gaming, Snickers, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sport1, Tencent, Twitch, Wilson and YouTube. For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com.
Tonight, the NBA will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the league’s first game between the New York Knickerbockers and Toronto Huskies (Nov. 1, 1946) during the Knicks and Raptors matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV. As part of the celebration, the league and teams will honor the game’s past and present through special highlights across social media, in-arena music, merchandise and fan experiences, and special in-arena and broadcast appearances by legends Earl Monroe, Walt Frazier, John Starks and Bob McAdoo. Additionally, as part of the anniversary, today the NBA and Nike unveiled all-new 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition uniforms. Linked here please find a feature on the NBA’s first game ever and below notable facts and figures from the matchup: 
FACTS AND FIGURES FROM NBA’S FIRST GAME - The NBA’s first regular-season game was played between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies on Friday, Nov. 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
- The Knicks defeated the Huskies 68-66 before a crowd of 7,090.
- Knicks vs. Huskies was the only game played on Nov. 1, 1946. The following day, seven other teams played their first games in the 11-team league.
- The game was 48 minutes long with four 12-minute periods – the same as today. There was no shot clock. (The 24-second shot clock was introduced for the 1954-55 season.)
- A promotion enabled any fan taller than 6-8 Huskies center George Nostrand to be admitted for free. (Nostrand was the game’s second-leading scorer with 16 points.) Ticket prices, as advertised in promotional materials, ranged from 75 cents to $2.50.
- New York’s Ossie Schectman scored the first basket in NBA history, a layup. A New York City native, Schectman was a former collegiate star who helped lead Long Island University in Brooklyn to two National Invitational Tournament championships.
- This was the first of the Knicks’ 5,865 regular-season games played (a total that includes their upcoming game on Oct. 30). They are one of three franchises to play in every NBA season, along with the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors (who began their NBA tenure as the Philadelphia Warriors).
- Ed Sadowski, who served as both the head coach and a player for Toronto, scored a game-high 18 points. Sadowski was one of the NBA’s early standouts: He tied for fourth place in scoring in the league’s first season (1946-47) and was selected to the All-NBA First Team in the second season (1947-48).
- Hank Biasatti, who was born in Italy and grew up in Canada, became the first international player to play in an NBA game with his appearance for the Huskies. He was one of five international players on opening-night rosters for the 1946-47 season. Biasatti was also a pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Toronto’s playing roster included a pair of brothers, Bob and Dick Fitzgerald.
- Pat Kennedy served as one of the officials in the inaugural game. Kennedy was the first referee to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; he was enshrined in 1959 as part of the Hall’s first class.
- The Knicks finished the first NBA season with a 33-27 record and qualified for the playoffs with the third-best mark in the Eastern Division. In the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Rebels in the first round before losing to the eventual NBA champion Philadelphia Warriors in the semifinals.
- The Huskies finished the first NBA season with a 22-38 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. This was their only season in the NBA.
BROOKLYN’S KEVIN DURANT FINED NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2021 – Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has been fined $25,000 for forcefully throwing the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident occurred with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter of the Nets’ 105-98 win over the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 29 at Barclays Center. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/brooklyn-nets-vs-indiana-pacers-10-29-2021 Today the NBA and Nike unveiled all-new 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition uniforms in honor of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season on the anniversary of the first-ever NBA game played between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies (November 1, 1946). The 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition uniforms will be available for sale on Monday, November 15 at NBAStore.com, Nike.com and select retailers globally. 
Each 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition team uniform represents the ultimate basketball moments mixtape – a compilation of the franchise’s greatest hits through the years in every design. Beyond some of the more obvious design elements, the uniforms include many subtle touches (“easter eggs”) that highlight pivotal moments from each team’s history. Each 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition uniform is supported with an integrated Game Theater collection and, for many teams, a court design that provides the ultimate platform to showcase the uniforms. Click here for a closer look at each uniform, the inspiration behind the designs and the subtle details that make each one truly unique. Additional images of each uniform are available here to download. The NBA also released the NBA Diamond Album, which tells the history of the league and each team, showcasing the NBA uniform behind every iconic NBA moment. Click here to view the leaguewide hero track as well as the individual team tracks, corresponding to the 28 teams unveiling the 2021-22 NBA City Edition uniforms. Fans can visit LockerVision.NBA.com to view when each team will debut its Nike NBA City Edition uniform on-court, along with each team’s outfitting calendar for the remainder of the season. QUOTES “The moments included in the Nike NBA City Edition uniforms span across decades and remind fans, old and new, of some of their fondest memories of their favorite teams,” said Christopher Arena, Head of On-Court and Brand Partnerships at the NBA. “The NBA’s 75th Anniversary season gave us a unique opportunity to work alongside the teams and Nike to bring the league’s rich history to life, showcasing each team's fandom in a truly special way.” “This year’s Nike NBA City Edition Uniforms help fuel the celebration of the league’s 75th anniversary season,” said Aaron Cain, VP/GM, Men’s, at NIKE, Inc. “Each uniform tells a story, juxtaposing old and new to create an unforgettable look and feel for this milestone season. The result isn’t just a love letter to the game. It’s a celebration of fandom – and an invitation to a new generation.”
ATLANTA’S YOUNG FINED NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2021 – Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been fined $15,000 for making contact with a game official, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident occurred with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter of Atlanta’s 122-111 loss to the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28, 2021 at Capital One Arena. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/atlanta-hawks-vs-washington-wizards-10-28-2021
NBA AND TWITTER ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION NBA to Produce Weekly Twitter Spaces Throughout 75th Anniversary Season Taylor Rooks and Channing Frye Return as Hosts of #NBATwitterLive for Select NBA on TNT Games for a Fourth Consecutive Season NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 3, 2021 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Twitter today announced a multi-year partnership extension that will bring additional content to Twitter Spaces, Twitter’s new live audio feature, throughout the NBA’s landmark 75th Anniversary Season and beyond. The league will also continue to provide fans with the best moments on the platform, with additional live content, highlights, Twitter Moments, and live streams that are complementary to TNT’s game broadcasts. The NBA’s 40 scheduled Twitter Spaces will include 75th Anniversary-themed versions planned around tentpole moments and marquee events such as Christmas Day, NBA All-Star and the NBA Finals. The Spaces will feature NBA players, legends and other members of the NBA family discussing on-court storylines and reflecting on the league’s storied 75-year history. The Spaces will also allow for sponsorship, giving brands new opportunities to connect and engage with fans through live NBA audio. “We are excited to continue to partner with Twitter to connect the NBA Twitter community to our game and content as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary Season,” said Jennifer Chun, NBA Senior Vice President and Head of Content Partnerships. “We look forward to building on our innovations with Twitter by bringing live, interactive audio content to Twitter Spaces and driving NBA fans on Twitter to engage with NBA live game telecasts and direct-to-consumer offerings.” “As we continue to evolve our partnership with the NBA, we are thrilled to celebrate the #NBATwitter community by bringing expanded content to the timeline," said Sarah Personette, Chief Customer Officer at Twitter. “With the addition of NBA Twitter Spaces to go along with highlights and #NBATwitterLive, we're able to deliver premium content to the NBA's biggest fans, while giving brands more opportunities to align with one of the most exciting communities on Twitter.” NBA Digital – the NBA’s joint venture with Turner Sports – will continue offering #NBATwitterLive, a complementary live streaming option for the second halves of select NBA on TNT games. Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks and NBA veteran Channing Frye, alongside notable guests from the NBA family, return for the fourth consecutive season to host the single-player, isolated-camera feed. Occurring during heavily anticipated NBA on TNT games and major tentpole events, including on-site for NBA All-Star, Conference Finals games and more, #NBATwitterLive will include more camera angles than ever before. This season, fans in the United States will be prompted with a QR code during select TNT broadcasts that invites viewers to join the second-screen live stream on #NBATwitterLive. #NBATwitterLive will also offer fans a live look-in to the accompanying TNT broadcast, which will give NBA fans on Twitter access to live game competition to drive awareness of the TNT broadcast. The NBA and Twitter will continue to offer real-time highlights throughout the regular season, playoffs and Finals as well as localized content for international regions for brands to align with. And for the first time ever highlight franchises will also be available from @NBABet and @NBAFantasy. Since joining Twitter in 2009, the NBA has built one of the largest Twitter communities in the world, with more than 380 million followers globally across all league, team and player platforms.
IGNITE ANNOUNCES VETERAN ADDITIONS, COACHING STAFF WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Oct. 28, 2021 – NBA G League Ignite has added six veterans who will aid in the development of the team’s elite youth prospects, the team announced today. The veteran group brings years of valuable playing experience ranging from the NBA to college and international professional leagues, and includes Dakarai Allen, Jessie Govan, Amauri Hardy, Pooh Jeter, Amir Johnson and Malik Pope. “We have a special group of veterans who have been super helpful and encouraging,” said head coach Jason Hart. “The group is led by Pooh Jeter, a consummate pro contributing to our younger players’ growth.” Additionally, Ignite’s coaching staff has been finalized with assistant coaches Rod Baker and C.J. Williams, on-court player development coach Thomas Scott and video coordinator Nick Hamilton joining Hart’s staff. IGNITE VETERAN BIOS Johnson and Govan return for their second stints with Ignite after joining the team for NBA G League single-site competition in the team’s inaugural season. Johnson averaged 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds with Ignite last season, while Govan added 7.8 points and 2.6 rebounds through eight games before suffering a season-ending injury. Jeter, who spent time with the Sacramento Kings and in the NBA G League, also brings a wealth of international experience from a prolific career spanning the globe, including time in Spain, Israel, China, France, Turkey and the Ukraine. The 2017 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Allen’s experience includes NBA G League stops with the Salt Lake City Stars (2017-18), Agua Caliente Clippers (2018-19) and Grand Rapids Drive (2019-20). He averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his season with the Drive. Pope, who played with Allen at San Diego State, joined the Los Angeles Lakers for 2018 Summer League action before moving to Greece to play in the PAOK organization. He played for the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm in 2019, averaging 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, and also spent time in NBA G League single-site competition earlier this year, joining the Austin Spurs in Orlando. Hardy, who joins his younger brother Jaden, a 2022 NBA Draft Prospect, on Ignite’s roster, was a four-star recruit who played four years of college basketball, including three seasons at UNLV and one at Oregon. He was a third team all-Mountain West selection as a junior after averaging 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. 2021-22 NBA G LEAGUE IGNITE ROSTER NO NAME POS HT WT DOB Hometown Prior to Ignite 4 Dakarai Allen G 6-5 193 2/4/95 Sacramento, Calif. Salt Lake City Stars 14 MarJon Beauchamp F 6-6 199 10/12/00 Yakima, Wash. Yakima Valley Junior College 3 Dyson Daniels G 6-6 199 3/17/03 Bendigo, Australia NBA Global Academy 11 Michael Foster Jr. F 6-8 250 1/16/03 Milwaukee, Wisc. Hillcrest Prep (AZ) 15 Jessie Govan C 6-10 252 7/25/97 Queens Village, N.Y. Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) 7 Amauri Hardy G 6-1 200 4/3098 Detroit, Mich. University of Oregon 1 Jaden Hardy G 6-4 198 7/5/03 Detroit, Mich. Coronado HS (NV) 0 Scoot Henderson G 6-2 195 2/3/04 Marietta, Ga. Kell HS (GA) 5 Pooh Jeter G 5-11 175 12/2/83 Gardena, Calif. BC Dnipro (Ukraine) 00 Amir Johnson F 6-9 253 5/1/87 Los Angeles, Calif. Philadelphia 76ers 21 Malik Pope F 6-10 215 7/25/96 Elk Grove, Calif. Austin Spurs 12 Fanbo Zeng F 6-11 199 1/11/03 Harbin, China Windermere Prep (FL) COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Jason Hart Assistant Coaches: Rod Baker, CJ Williams On-Court Player Development Coach: Thomas Scott Performance Coach: Ernest DeLosAngeles Video Coordinator: Nick Hamilton About NBA G League Ignite NBA G League Ignite is a first-of-its-kind team dedicated to developing top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. Based in Walnut Creek, Calif., the roster includes elite players who are eligible for the NBA Draft as well as NBA and NBA G League veterans who serve as mentors to the team’s young talent. The program focuses on high-level competition and accelerated on-court development for players who are beginning their professional careers. Additionally, the team provides life skills training that includes financial literacy education, community service involvement and scholarship opportunities. While Ignite is not a traditional NBA G League team, competition includes games against NBA G League opponents and exhibitions against international teams.
IGNITE TO PLAY 2021-22 HOME GAMES IN LAS VEGAS – NBA G League Ignite Will Host Eight Games at
Michelob ULTRA Arena this Season – WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Oct. 29, 2021 – After a successful first season that culminated with two top 10 NBA Draft picks, NBA G League Ignite is set to dazzle fans in the Entertainment Capital of the World in the team’s second season. Featuring emerging young basketball stars from around the world, Ignite will host eight home games against NBA G League opponents at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas this season. Tickets for Ignite’s home games can be purchased through axs.com. “Playing in Las Vegas will be a great experience for our team,” said Ignite head coach Jason Hart. “Being in a basketball town with passionate fans can be a great mix, and we’re looking forward to some Vegas support. Las Vegas, here we come!” The team’s Sin City slate marks a homecoming for a number of players on Ignite’s roster, including Jaden Hardy, the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year out of Coronado High School, and brother Amauri Hardy, a three-year standout for UNLV. Ignite will continue to train at the Ultimate Fieldhouse and COPA STC in Walnut Creek, traveling to Las Vegas for its home games. A full home schedule and game times are listed below. All times are subject to change, and broadcast information will be released at a later date. Date Opponent Time (PDT) Wednesday, Nov. 10 Agua Caliente Clippers 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 Agua Caliente Clippers 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 Oklahoma City Blue 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 Oklahoma City Blue 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 Salt Lake City Stars 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15 Salt Lake City Stars 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7 Mexico City Capitanes 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9 Mexico City Capitanes 5 p.m. Ignite makes its season debut on Friday, Nov. 5 in El Segundo, Calif. against the South Bay Lakers before heading to Las Vegas for its inaugural homestand against Agua Caliente on Nov. 10 and 11. Ignite’s first six games in Las Vegas will count toward the NBA G League Showcase Cup standings leading into the G League Winter Showcase. January games against the Mexico City Capitanes will not count in the league standings. 
2021 NBA G LEAGUE WINTER SHOWCASE RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS – Eight Teams to Compete in NBA G League Showcase Cup Tournament – – All Teams to Play at Least Two Games – NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2021 – The 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase will take place in Las Vegas from Dec. 19-22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The event marks the return of the NBA G League’s premier in-season NBA scouting opportunity to Las Vegas, spanning four days with more than 30 games spread across two courts. Games will begin at 11 a.m. PT each day with four games on each court. Building off the success of the 2019 Showcase Cup, the 2021 Winter Showcase will feature the expanded NBA G League Showcase Cup Tournament, a single-elimination tournament where eight teams will compete for the Showcase Cup Championship. The Salt Lake City Stars won the inaugural iteration of the Showcase Cup during the 2019-20 season. Beginning Friday, Nov. 5, the league’s 29 teams and NBA G League Ignite will be separated into four regional pods and will play 12 games against one another in NBA G League markets. The teams with the best winning percentage in each regional pod, along with the next four teams across the league with the best winning percentages, will play for the Showcase Cup Championship during the Winter Showcase. The remaining teams will each play two games outside of the Showcase Cup Tournament during the event. “We’re thrilled to be safely hosting the Winter Showcase once again in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “The Winter Showcase is one of the NBA G League’s marquee events, and I’m looking forward to watching the action in the expanded NBA G League Showcase Cup Tournament.” Following the Winter Showcase, team records will reset and the 36-game regular season will tip off on Monday, Dec. 27, bringing each team’s total games played to 50. NBA G League Ignite and Mexico City Capitanes will compete in the Showcase Cup, but will not take part in the 36-game regular season. The NBA G League Winter Showcase has become a springboard to the NBA, with more than 60 players earning GATORADE Call-Ups during or immediately following the last 16 Showcases. The full game and broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.
DENVER’S JOKIĆ SUSPENDED AND MIAMI’S MORRIS FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2021 – Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been suspended one game without pay for forcefully shoving Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris to the floor from behind, and Morris has been fined $50,000 for committing a Flagrant Foul 2 on Jokić that initiated an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident, for which Jokić was assessed a technical foul and both players were ejected, occurred with 2:39 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 113-96 victory over the Heat on Nov. 8 at Ball Arena in Denver. In addition, Miami forward Jimmy Butler has been fined $30,000 for attempting to escalate the altercation and failing to comply with an NBA Security interview as part of the review process pertaining to an on-court matter. Jokic will serve his suspension on Wednesday, Nov. 10 when the Nuggets host the Indiana Pacers. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/miami-heat-vs-denver-nuggets-11-08-2021
NBA G League Ignite makes its season debut Friday in Southern California when Ignite tips off against the South Bay Lakers. Game time is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET from the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., and airing on NBAGLeague.com. Ignite, who went 8-7 in its inaugural season of play before clinching a playoff berth in G League single-site competition, returns with a nearly all-new roster rife with NBA Draft-eligible prospects and veteran mentors. The team is highlighted by six elite youth prospects in MarJon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster Jr., Jaden Hardy, Scoot Henderson and Fanbo Zeng. Veterans Jessie Govan and Amir Johnson returned for a second season with Ignite to help bolster a veteran group that also includes Kosta Koufos, Kevin Murphy and Pooh Jeter, among others. New head coach Jason Hart will also make his official head coaching debut Friday. This year’s squad played three preseason games in preparation for the season against the Iowa Wolves (L, 98-87), Sioux Falls Skyforce (L, 104-90) and Santa Cruz Warriors (L, 110-88). BY THE NUMBERS 16 & 10 Through Ignite’s three preseason games, Michael Foster Jr. averaged a double-double with 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. His play was highlighted by a 23-point, 15-rebound performance against the Santa Cruz Warriors on Wednesday. 11.0 MarJon Beauchamp averaged 11.0 points in three preseason starts for Ignite, including an 18-point game at Iowa and an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double against Santa Cruz. 2 Ignite’s newest squad features two players who were members of the team’s inaugural season -- Jessie Govan and Amir Johnson. Johnson averaged 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in G League single-site competition last season, while Govan was averaging 7.8 points and 2.6 rebounds before he was sidelined with an injury.
IGNITE ADDS VETERANS KOSTA KOUFOS, KEVIN MURPHY WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov. 5, 2021 – NBA G League Ignite has bolstered its roster with the additions of longtime NBA and NBA G League veterans Kosta Koufos and Kevin Murphy, the team announced today. An 11-year NBA veteran, Koufos enjoyed stops with the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. His best season came with the Nuggets in 2012-13, starting all 81 games and averaging 8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Prior to joining Ignite, Koufos played with Russia’s CSKA Moscow (2019-20) and Greece’s Olympiacos (2021). Murphy was the No. 47 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, selected by the Utah Jazz after four seasons at Tennessee Tech. Murphy spent time with G League teams including the Reno Bighorns, Idaho Stampede and Grand Rapids Drive, as well as internationally in China, Japan, Croatia, Turkey, the Philippines and Bahrain. The duo brings Ignite’s veteran total to eight, also including Dakarai Allen, Jessie Govan, Amauri Hardy, Pooh Jeter, Amir Johnson and Malik Pope. Alongside head coach Jason Hart and his coaching staff, the veteran group will help aid in the development of the team’s elite youth prospects, serving as mentors on and off the court. Ignite opens its season tonight against the South Bay Lakers at 7 p.m. PT from the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. The game will be streamed on NBAGLeague.com.
SACRAMENTO’S RICHAUN HOLMES FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2021 – Sacramento Kings forward-center Richaun Holmes has been fined $15,000 for throwing his headband into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident, for which Holmes received his second technical foul of the game and was ejected, occurred with 9:49 remaining in the third quarter of the Kings’ 112-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 3 at Golden 1 Center. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/new-orleans-pelicans-vs-sacramento-kings-11-3-2021 BA STATEMENT ON ESPN REPORT REGARDING ROBERT SARVER AND PHOENIX SUNS ORGANIZATION NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2021 – NBA Executive Vice President, Communications Mike Bass issued the following statement today on behalf of the NBA and WNBA regarding ESPN’s report about Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization:
“The allegations contained in today’s ESPN article are extremely serious, and we have directed the Wachtell Lipton law firm to commence a comprehensive investigation. The NBA and WNBA remain committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees. Once the investigation is completed, its findings will provide the basis for any league action.”
DRAFTKINGS AND FANDUEL BECOME CO-OFFICIAL SPORTS BETTING PARTNERS OF THE NBA - DraftKings Named Presenting Partner of NBABet Stream; FanDuel Named Presenting Partner of Weekly NBABet Show on NBA TV, Co-Produced by Turner Sports - NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2021 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced multiyear expanded partnerships making DraftKings (Nasdaq: DKNG) and FanDuel Group co-official sports betting partners of the NBA. Both companies will have expansive rights to integrate NBA assets throughout their sports betting and daily fantasy sports platforms.
As part of the expanded relationships, DraftKings and FanDuel will continue to utilize official NBA betting data and league marks and logos across their sports betting and free-to-play game offerings. In addition, beginning with the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season, DraftKings and FanDuel will create and feature NBA content that includes game highlights across their various content platforms. FanDuel and DraftKings will also become sports betting partners of the NBA in Canada, where they both plan to launch later this season.
“DraftKings and FanDuel are market leaders who have been incredible partners in engaging with the millions of NBA fans who enjoy fantasy and betting,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, Senior Vice President, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures, NBA. “DraftKings and FanDuel sit at the center of the continued convergence between media and sports betting, and, together, we are excited to bring these unique content experiences to our fans.” Expanding on its existing partnership dating back to 2014, FanDuel will now become the exclusive presenting partner of the weekly NBABet Show each Monday night on NBA TV. As part of the new deal, fans will be able to choose to see FanDuel odds displayed on the Games page of NBA.com. “For the past seven years the NBA and FanDuel have architected the platinum standard of partnership between a professional sports league and mobile sports gaming operator,” said Amy Howe, President & CEO of FanDuel Group. “Combining the star power of the NBA with our industry leading platform has resulted in innovations that have significantly enhanced the fan experience. We are proud of the deep working relationship we have built with the NBA, and that this agreement will celebrate a decade of official partnership.” DraftKings, whose business relationship with the NBA dates back to 2019, will now become the exclusive presenting partner of NBABet Stream, the NBA’s betting-focused telecast on NBA League Pass and the NBA TV App. NBABet Stream presented by DraftKings will air its first game this Friday, November 5. In addition, DraftKings will activate on-site at tentpole NBA events, including the NBA All-Star Game, Rising Stars, NBA All-Star Saturday Night and NBA Draft presented by State Farm. “The NBA season only just tipped off, and yet we have already seen the immediate impact of the sport among our customer base with significant reengagement along with healthy new betting activity across all of our states,” said Ezra Kucharz, chief business officer at DraftKings. “All of this signals the rising demand for NBA basketball in its 75th anniversary season among sports bettors and daily fantasy players, and we are pleased to continuously collaborate with the league on new offerings like our NBABet Stream integration.” The NBA will collaborate with both DraftKings and FanDuel in support of its ongoing commitment to responsible gambling, which includes public education via social media messaging and public service announcements, public advocacy, and the enforcement of strict standards and limitations on betting-related advertising across NBA and partner platforms. Both DraftKings and FanDuel will also work with the league on best-in-class practices to protect the integrity of NBA games.
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