Former KU star Ochai Agbaji scores 12 points, hits key pair of free throws in Cavs’ win
Former University of Kansas men’s basketball guard Ochai Agbaji scored 12 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds while starting and playing 29 minutes in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 82-79 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday in NBA 2K23 Summer League play in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-5 Agbaji, who was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was 2-of-9 from three and 2-of-2 from the line. Agbaji had three assists, two turnovers and a steal for Cleveland, which improved to 2-2 at summer league.
Agbaji hit a pair of free throws with 45 seconds left to turn a 77-76 deficit into a one-point lead. The Cavs did not trail the rest of the way.
Agbaji has averaged 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds a game in four games in Vegas. He’s made 37.3% of his shots including 37.5% of his threes. Agbaji has converted 90.9% of his free throws and has averaged 2.3 assists to 1.3 turnovers per contest.
His high scoring game is 24 points in a loss to Charlotte on Wednesday.
McCormack has played in three of Wolves’ four games
Former Kansas power forward David McCormack did not play (coach’s decision) in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 102-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday in Vegas.
The 6-foot-10 McCormack, who signed a non guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract with Minnesota after failing to be selected in the 2022 NBA Draft, had been a starter in the Wolves’ first three summer league games.
On Wednesday he scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds while playing 20 minutes in the Timberwolves’ 87-75 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In three games he’s averaged 6.7 points and an identical 6.7 rebounds per game. He’s cashed 42.9% of his shots. Minnesota is 1-3 in the summer league.
Marcus Garrett makes successful comeback from surgery
Former KU guard Marcus Garrett, who has averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds a game on 31.6% shooting for (1-2) Miami, says he feels “blessed” to be 100% recovered from right wrist surgery he had in January.
The second-year pro told media after his first game in Vegas: “It (wrist) felt great. Knowing I’ve been out since January, that’s something I’ve prayed for having an opportunity to play the game again. I got cleared a week before summer league. It was about ballhandling and trying to wrap everything up to get everything ready for summer league.”
Garrett — he has made just 25% of his threes in the three games for the Heat — is a free agent trying to land a guaranteed contract in Miami. He was on a 2-way deal his rookie season (2021-22) but was cut by the Heat after it was determined his wrist injury on his shooting hand required surgery.
“That’s kind of what I want to be known for … my ability to guard the ball,” said Garrett, who has been effective on defense in summer league action.
This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 9:57 AM with the headline "Former KU star Ochai Agbaji scores 12 points, hits key pair of free throws in Cavs’ win."
