Zags in the Pros Update

The NBA regular season gets underway tonight and tomorrow, with eight Zags on opening day rosters. There have been some solid performances by former Bulldogs across the pond as well as we dive headlong into hoops season.

Domantas Sabonis: Domas finished the preseason with 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His Pacers will open the season Wednesday in Charlotte.

Rui Hachimura: Rui was away from the Wizards during training camp and the preseason for personal reasons, but has cleared COVID protocol and returned to the team. He will likely miss the first few games of the season as he gets back into playing shape.

Corey Kispert: Kispert averaged 6.2 points in his four preseason games, also grabbing 1.2 rebounds and dishing an assist per game. Washington opens the season in Toronto on Wednesday night.

Joel Ayayi: Ayayi was waived by the Lakers last week, but was quickly scooped up by the Wizards on a two-way contract. He’ll likely start the season in the G-League for the newly minted (by me) Washington Wiz-Zags.

Kelly Olynyk: Olynyk had 10.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the preseason for his new team. The Pistons will host the Bulls on Wednesday.

Jalen Suggs: Suggs posted five points, three assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in three preseason games. The Magic will open their season on the road against the Spurs.

Brandon Clarke: Clarke scored 10.4 points per game and had six rebounds, two assists, and a block per game during five preseason tuneups.

Killian Tillie: Tille played in two of the Grizzlies’ preseason games after recovering from a minor back problem. He scored 2.5 points per game, but shot just 1-6 on three-pointers. Tillie will be on a two-way deal with Memphis, who host the Cavaliers on Wednesday for opening night.

Kevin Pangos: Speaking of the Cavs, Pangos will be suiting up for Cleveland when they travel to Memphis. Pangos averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 assists per game during the preseason.

Nigel Williams-Goss: Williams-Goss has gotten off to a decent start for EuroLeague contender Real Madrid, averaging eight points and 2.2 assists per game. His squad has a 9-1 record to start the season as well.

Filip Petrusev: Petrusev scored 10 points and grabbed five boards in his most recent EuroLeague game for Anadolu Efes. He is averaging 10.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.8 minutes of game action so far for Efes, who are 3-5 overall.

Geno Crandall: The reigning British Basketball League MVP is off to another good start, averaging 17.2 points and 6.6 assists per game to start the season. That includes a 27 point, seven assist, six rebound performance over the weekend for Leicester, who are 3-2.

Josh Perkins: Perkins has taken well to a new team this season, scoring 12.5 points per game and dishing out 5.5 assists, while shooting over 70% from the field. He had a big game on Saturday, going for 17 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in a win for Brindisi.

Kyle Wiltjer: Wiltjer is also acclimating well to a new team and league, having scored 19 points in two of his last three games for Spanish squad Tenerife. He is averaging 11.8 points and three rebounds per game while shooting 50% (15-30) on three pointers so far.

Johnathan Williams III: Williams had his best game so far for Trento last week, scoring 15 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists, and three blocks vs. Cremona. He is averaging 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for his new team, who are 2-2 in Serie A.

Silas Melson: Melson has been lighting it up over his last two games. He totaled 42 points and 13 rebounds in a pair of wins for Kalev Cramo, including a 24 point effort last week. Melson is averaging 12.6 points through nine games this season.

Micah Downs: Downs posted a double-double in Sporting Lisboa’s first FIBA Europe Cup game last week, going for 18 points and 11 rebounds. He is averaging 8.4 points per game to start the season for the defending Portugues league champs, who are 3-2 overall.