Auburn in the Pros - Episode 2

So it’s time to do another update of what’s going on with some of our former Auburn Basketball players. In the first article, I focused primarily on the recently graduated players. Today, I look to incorporate some more guys as several Auburn players were recently selected in the G-League Draft.

United States

All of the guys listed here will be playing in the G-League this season.

Jared Harper - Phoenix/Northern Arizona Suns

Jared Harper made his NBA Debut with the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings. He played 2 minutes and was 0-1 from 3-point range. He was on the main roster for the next 2 games but didn’t play in either of those games. With training camp underway for the Northern Arizona Suns, Jared has made his way to Prescott Valley and from all accounts, it appears Jared will play a huge role on that team this year. On Jared’s 2-way contract, he can be on the NBA roster for up to 45 days so he’ll spend this season splitting his time between Phoenix and Northern Arizona, but most of it on the G-League squad. They will play a preseason game on Saturday before the regular season begins next Saturday.

Bryce Brown - Maine Red Claws

Bryce has reported to training camp for the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics G-League team and what a squad he has found himself on.

You of course remember Tremont Waters, from LSU, and Yante Maten, from Georgia along with UCF sensation Tacko Fall whose Knights came oh so close to knocking out Duke in the Round of 32 last year. With that kind of talent on the floor, expect Bryce to get some good looks from 3 this year. The season for Maine begins next Saturday as well.

Chuma Okeke - Lakeland Magic

I only bring up Chuma today because I found it interesting to see him listed on the Magic’s G-League Training Camp roster. Hopefully we’ll see Chuma get back onto the court towards the end of the season and hopefully this time next year, he’ll be suiting up for Orlando. Lakeland begins their season next Friday.

Tyler Harris - Canton Charge

Tyler played on the 2015-2016 Auburn team that beat Kentucky for the first time since 2000. He was recently acquired by the Cavaliers G-League affiliate. He played in the G-League 2 years ago before spending last season in Japan. The Charge will get their season started next Saturday.

T.J. Lang - Maine Red Claws

T.J. Lang played for Auburn for 3 years from 2014-2017 before transferring to South Florida to finish his collegiate eligibility. Lang was drafted in last weekend’s G-League Draft and reunites with former teammate Bryce Brown in Portland, Maine with the Red Claws. In 3 years with Auburn, Lang was a 38.8% shooter from 3-point range.

Asauhn Dixon-Tatum - Memphis Hustle

Dixon Tatum played for Auburn from 2012-2014. Last year, he played for the Texas Legends, the G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. The Memphis Hustle (Grizzlies G-League affiliate) drafted him in the G-League Draft last weekend. The Hustle begin their season next Friday against Dixon-Tatum’s former team.

Kenny Gabriel - College Park Skyhawks

Welcome back to the U.S. Kenny G! Gabriel recently signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks as an affiliate player and he will play for the College Park Skyhawks in their inaugural season. Gabriel was at Auburn from 2009-2012 and has played all over the world since leaving the Plains. He has played in Israel, Greece, Russia, New Zealand, Cyprus and most recently in Turkey. The Skyhawks begin their season next Friday.

Europe

Malik Dunbar - Artland Dragons (Germany)

Okay, now we get to actually look at some season statistics!

Malik has played in 5 of Artland’s 6 games this season and is currently averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. In his 3rd game (the tweet says 2nd but I found out later it was his 3rd), Malik scored 33 points and collected 8 rebounds. So far, that game is the only one Artland has won this season. He had a season high 15 rebounds in the team’s last game on Saturday. Dunbar’s Dragons will take the court once again tomorrow looking to turn around their season after a 1-5 start.

Malik may not be in Auburn but you best believe I’m gonna be singing this before every Auburn Basketball game this year.

South America

Horace Spencer - Atenas (Argentina)

Horace has 8 games under his belt now with Atenas and his latest game was his best yet. Horace scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds in a 2-point loss last Friday, the last in Argentina’s Super 20 tournament. Atenas finished 4-4 in the 8 game tournament. Through 8 games this year, Horace is averaging 6.8 points and 9.5 rebounds a game. Horace has a pair of double-doubles this year recording another 14 point game in his 2nd game with the team and has at least 10 rebounds in 4 of his 8 games so far this season.

Horace and Atenas will start La Liga play on November 10th.

We’ll revisit this again in a week or two as everyone’s season should be underway at that point.