Day: August 21, 2023

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward/center Olivier Sarr to a Two-Way Contract.

Sarr (6-11, 240) appeared in 12 games (seven starts) last season for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, and averaged 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.42 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game. During the 2022-23 season, Sarr saw action in nine games (one start) for the Thunder and averaged 4.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting to go along with 3.4 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game.

The United States looks ready for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. On Sunday, Team USA defeated Germany to cap a 5-0 run in the lead-up up the World Cup.

The United States also defeated Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain and Greece in the past two weeks. The victories over Spain and Germany saw Team USA come from behind to win each game.

Anthony Edwards scored 34 points to lead the Americans over the Germans. Edwards was Team USA’s leading scoring during the five-game exhibition slate at 19.2 points per game on 51% shooting from the field.

Group C play opens on Saturday, August 26 with the United States taking on New Zealand. Team USA will also play Greece and Jordan in group play. The Americans are heavy favorites to advance at the top of the group, especially after Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece announced he would miss the tournament.

Tee Morant, father of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, was a speaker at the Up Next Elite Camp. Morant gave high-profile up-and-coming players some advice related to their decision-making.

Morant told campers to “be mindful of every decision you make.” He also told the players that his son was responsible for his own decisions, with no else to blame.

“My son didn’t get in trouble ’cause of people around him,” Morant said. “He got in trouble because of his decisions.”

Ja Morant is suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season. This came down after a second incident where Morant flashed a handgun while being photographed and videoed.

Brady Stevens, son of Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, has committed to Notre Dame. Stevens will be a walk-on for the Fighting Irish. He’ll play for former Celtics assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry.

The younger Stevens currently plays for Wellesley High School in Massachusetts. He’s a 6-foot-4 combo guard and is entering his senior season of high school.