Auburn MBB in the Pros: November rundown

Auburn MBB in the Pros: November rundownAuburn MBB in the Pros: November rundown

Since Bruce Pearl arrived at Auburn, the Tigers have ascended to the top of the SEC. But it's also quickly becoming one of the premier programs in terms of producing talent at the next level with a player drafted in each of the last three NBA drafts. 

Isaac Okoro, the highest pick among the group at No. 5 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, broke out last year as a rookie and is continuing to make an impact this season. He's started the last 11 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and is earning a reputation as one of the top young two-way players in the league. 

See how Okoro and the other notable former Tigers are doing in Auburn MBB in the Pros, a new monthly series highlighting those in the NBA, G-League and overseas. 

NBA

Sharife Cooper, Atlanta Hawks
Cooper has bounced back-and-forth between the Hawks and the G-League in his first year out of Auburn. On Nov. 14, he scored his first NBA points with a fastbreak lay-up against the Milwaukee Bucks. The second-round pick is off to a red-hot start in the G-League, averaging 15.5 points and 5.0 assists per game for the College Park Skyhawks. In just his fourth game, Cooper posted his first double-double with 17 points and 11 assists. 


Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic
Okeke, who missed the first six games due to injury, has returned and is coming off the bench for the Magic this season. He's currently averaging 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He posted a season-high 17 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 19 and then scored in double figures in each of the next two games. The former Auburn star sat out the 2019-20 season recovering from an ACL injury but made his NBA debut last year and started 17 games down the stretch. On Monday night, Okeke played a season-best 27 minutes.


Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
Since returning from a hamstring injury at the beginning of November, Okoro has started every game for a Cavaliers team on the rise. The second-year player, picked No. 5 overall, is averaging 7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He's scored 10 points in each of the last two games and his +/- has been in the positive the last three games – all wins. He also has at least one steal in six of his last eight games. Okoro put up a season-high 15 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 22, one of five games in double figures this season. 


JT Thor, Charlotte Hornets
Listed on the NBA roster for the Hornets, Thor has started his career playing for the team's G-League affiliate, the Greenboro Swarm, and is averaging 14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game through the first eight games. The rookie forward put up 34 points and 12 rebounds in his pro debut against the Birmingham Squadron. He's scored in double figures in each of the last three games, including a 21-point effort on Nov. 26. 


G-LEAGUE

Bryce Brown, Long Island Nets
In his first year with the Long Island Nets, Brown has been solid as usual with 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. His scoring has seen an uptick of late with three straight games in double figures, including a season-high 20 points his last time out while playing against his former G-League team, the Westchester Knicks. 


Samir Doughty, Lakeland Magic
Acquired by the Lakeland Magic in a draft day trade before the season, Doughty is averaging 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists for his new team. Doughty was originally drafted 22nd overall by the Iowa Wolves in this year's NBA G-League draft.  

Malik Dunbar, Agua Caliente Clippers
After playing the 2019-20 season with the Artland Dragons in Germany, Dunbar found a new home prior to this season with the Agua Caliente Clippers in the G-League. He's getting 7.8 minutes per game and scored in each of the team's first three games.

Jared Harper, Birmingham Squadron
Like his Auburn counterparts in the G-League, Harper also found a new home this season in Birmingham where's continued to tear it up. The former Auburn point guard leads his team and is 37th in the league with 20.5 points per game. His 5.5 assists per game is also a team best and puts him among the top 40 in the league. In his first game with the Squadron, Harper poured in a season-high 35 points and six assists. 


INTERNATIONAL
Kenny Gabriel, Gemani Basket Brescia (Italian Lega Basket Serie A)
J'Von McCormick, Kocaeli BSB Kagitspor (Turkish TBL)
Danjel Purifoy, FC Porto Ferpinta (Portuguese LPB)
Quantez Robertson, Fraport Skyliners (German BBL)
K.C. Ross-Miller, MBK Rieker Komarno (Slovakian Extraliga)
LaRon Smith, Sant Antoni Ibiza Feeling (Spanish LEB Silver)
Horace Spencer, CSP Limoges (French Jeep Elite)
Tay Waller, BC Igokea (Bosnian BiH Liga)
Austin Wiley, Gladiators Trier (German Pro A)