Tag: interview

Interview: Jemerrio Jones, Delaware Blue Coats

NBA Call-Ups is delighted to bring you an interview with Jemerrio Jones of the Delaware Blue Coats. Since entering the professional ranks in 2018, the 25-year-old has made 94 G League appearances for the South Bay Lakers and Wisconsin Herd.

Boasting one of the most versatile skill-sets in the entire league, Jones holds career averages of 9.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. During the 2018-19 season, whilst with South Bay, the energetic forward earned an NBA call-up to the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the Lakers, Jones featured in 6 contests (2 starts). In those games, he posted averages of 4.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. Ahead of the 2021 G League bubble, he was selected with the 1st pick in the second round of the G League Draft, by the Delaware Blue Coats. Delaware are the affiliate team of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Through the opening 5 games of the bubble, with the Blue Coats, Jones is averaging 7 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. From the field, he’s converting at a 45.9% rate. He sits 8th league-wide in rebounds per game and 5th in offensive rebounds per contest (4.4).

Ahead of the season in Orlando, Jemerrio Jones speaks about life in the bubble, his time with the Blue Coats so far, and his expectations for the 2021 campaign. Further topics include the 2019-20 Wisconsin Herd and getting called up to the NBA with the Lakers, plus much more.

You can watch and listen to the interview below. Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the NBA G League, as well as with the development of future elite prospects from around the world, by following Call-Ups on all social media channels.

Including on Twitter Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Interview: Admiral Schofield, Greensboro Swarm

NBA Call-Ups is delighted to bring you an exclusive interview with the number one selection in the 2021 G League Draft, Admiral Schofield. The 23-year-old completed his rookie season (2019-20) with the Washington Wizards. Now, he’s representing the Greensboro Swarm in the G League bubble.

After spending 4 years at the University of Tennessee, Schofield was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 42nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the Wizards, where he signed a 3-year, $4.3 million contract.

As a rookie, he averaged 3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 33 NBA contests for Washington. He was also assigned to the G League with affiliate team, the Capital City Go-Go. Where in 33 games, Schofield recorded averages of 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 assists. From 3 -point land, he shot at a 37% rate.

In November 2020, the 6-foot-5 guard/forward was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He spent the preseason with the Thunder before being waived. In January 2021, Schofield was selected 1st overall in the G League draft by the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

Currently in the 2021 G League Disney World bubble, Admiral Schofield speaks about his bubble experience. Including what his daily routine is, what essentials he has packed with him, and his go-to FIFA team. As well as his bubble season expectations moving forward.

Further topics include Schofield reacting to being selected 1st in the G League draft, his off-season development, the new G League Ignite team. His upbringing in London, England is also discussed, plus much more.

You can watch and listen to the interview below. Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the NBA G League, as well as with the development of future elite prospects from around the world, by following Call-Ups on all social media channels.

Including on Twitter Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Interview: Cody Demps, G League Ignite

Call-Ups is delighted to bring you an exclusive interview with G League Ignite veteran, Cody Demps. At the age of 27, Demps has already built up over 130+ appearances in the G League. This has been with the Reno Bighorns and the Stockton Kings.

Through the 2019-20 season, he averaged 14.2 points 5.3 rebounds 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals, through 41 games for Stockton. For the 2020-21 season he opted to join the new Ignite team for elite prospects, as a veteran.

Joining Ignite and the Prospects on the Team

“I got excited. Because I just thought about.. this would be such a great opportunity to give back to the game,” Demps said when speaking about why he chose to join Ignite.

“I remember when I was 18 or 19, I wasn’t mature as I am at this point. Even in the basketball sense. Knowing sets and things of that nature. I knew there was a growth to be had for these guys. It was kind of the perfect match-up of giving back to the game, as well as the opportunity to further my career.”

Even though he has joined Ignite as a veteran and mentor for the likes of Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, the versatile guard did reveal that he’s developing further himself under the new G League set-up. “I’m developing myself as well. Leadership is super important for anyone in life. So far it’s been great,” Demps said.

When speaking about the prospects, the former Stockton standout disclosed that he is very high on young Filipino star, Kai Sotto. “I love Kai. Super skilled and he’s pretty much ambidextrous. I’ve seen him shoot right and left handed. He comes from a basketball family,” Demps said in praise of the 18-year-old’s skillset.

“For them to get to this point, in their young careers, where they’re basically nationally ranked and all projected to go pretty high in the draft, you got to be a hard worker,” Demps explained. “They’re really smart too as well. They’re able to catch onto different nuances that we’ve been trying to teach them. The sky’s the limit for all of those guys, every single of them has a high-ceiling.”

Cody Demps, Future Coach?

When presented with a question surrounding the use of his leadership skills in a future coaching career, Demps insisted that he is focused on his NBA dream. He did mention that he turned down overseas offers this past off-season, and over the years, in the pursuit of reaching his playing goals.

“I’ve always had that dream of playing in the NBA. It’s something that I know I’m capable of and it’s something that I’m going to continue to pursue. Right now I’m tunnel vision in on playing in the NBA.”

Other interview topics include the G League Ignite scrimmages from December, playing under Ignite Head Coach Brian Shaw, the veterans on the team, and Demp’s G League career to date. Plus much more!

You can watch and listen to the interview below. Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the NBA G League, as well as with the development of future elite prospects from around the world, by following Call-Ups on all social media channels.

Including on Twitter Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Interview: Kyle Guy, Sacramento Kings

Call-Ups is delighted to bring you an exclusive interview with Sacramento Kings two-way guard, Kyle Guy. Who completed the majority of his rookie season (2019-20) in the NBA G League, for the Stockton Kings.

Through his rookie campaign in the G League, Guy averaged 21.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. This was through 37 games, on 40.1% shooting from 3-point range.

On December 15, 2020, the 23-year-old hit 20 points, including a game-winner buzzer-beater against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA preseason. In the game he recorded 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and converted six 3-pointers.

Guy spent 3 years at the University of Virginia, where he was part of the 2019 NCAA Championship winning side. He scored 24 points in the championship game against Texas Tech (85-77 OT) and won the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.

He went onto be selected with the 55th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Before being traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he went onto sign a two-way contract.

Topics include Guy’s recent game winner against the Warriors, his rookie season in the G League, winning the NCAA Championship, and the new G League Ignite team. Plus much more.

You can watch and listen to the interview below. Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

Stay up-to-date with the latest from the NBA G League, as well as with the development of future elite prospects from around the world, by following Call-Ups on all social media channels.

Including on Twitter Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Interview: Abdul Gaddy, Former Point Guard of the Oklahoma City Blue

Call-Ups brings you an interview with Abdul Gaddy, the former point guard of the Oklahoma City Blue. The Blue are the G League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Gaddy represented the Blue between 2018 and 2020. This past season he posted averages of 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists. On 48.1% shooting, 43% from 3-point land.

His 8.8 assists were the second-highest in the G League throughout the 2019-20 campaign. Sitting behind only Josh Magette. In terms of total assists, Gaddy topped the entire league (336).

The 28-year-old represented the Washington Huskies at the collegiate level, alongside Isaiah Thomas, before going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He then joined the Maine Red Claws of the then D-League, before spending 4 years overseas in Italy, Latvia, and Germany.

In July 2020, it was announced that Gaddy had signed with the Greek outfit, Peristeri B.C. for the 2020/21 season.

In the interview, Abdul Gaddy discusses his college days, his rookie season with the Maine Red Claws, and his overseas experiences. Gaddy goes on to speak about the past two-years with the Oklahoma City Blue, playing in the 2019 G League International Challenge, and the growth of the G League in recent years. Plus much more!

You can watch and listen to the interview below. Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

You can follow Matt on Twitter here.

Interview: Chris Murphy, President of the Santa Cruz Warriors

We’re delighted to bring you an interview with the President of the Santa Cruz Warriors, Chris Murphy. You can check out the interview below.

Chris speaks about his role within the organisation, Santa Cruz’s priorities as a G League franchise, constructing a roster, NBA call-ups, and Santa Cruz’s relationship with the Golden State Warriors.

Additionally, Chris talks about Stephen Curry’s injury rehab assignment, the success of the franchise since it’s formation in 2012, and the G League’s current growth period.

Thank you to Chris for speaking to me and thank you to the Santa Cruz organisation for arranging it.

Please like the video and subscribe to the Call-Ups YouTube channel for more.

Follow Matt on Twitter, @MattEvansCU.