It’s the holiday season — a time for joy, gift-giving, and for some, remembering that the NBA exists.
Christmas has always been a time when casual fans drop in on the league, and even though the NFL has gotten in on the ratings bonanza that comes with a holiday showcase, pro basketball is still part of the sports culture around Christmas.
So we figured, what better time to check in on former UConn stars in the NBA? Several are excelling, some are just getting by and others have to be wondering where they’ll be in Christmases future.
Here’s a look at how they’re faring:
1. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs:
Castle is running away with the title of best Husky in the pros, and the way the Spurs have been playing, there might be more titles in his future, too. The 21-year-old has been excelling of late, averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 assists and 5 rebounds and shooting 51.2% in December. He poured in a season-high 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win over the Lakers on Dec. 10, and posted 22 and 6 in helping the Spurs hand the Thunder one of their only three losses on the season in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Castle appears to be on an All-Star trajectory, and even as the Spurs have been in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, it’s generally accepted that they wouldn’t part with the former Husky in order to bring the two-time NBA MVP into the fold. That alone tells you what the Spurs think of Castle. And, as if he couldn’t endear himself to Connecticut fans any more, Castle recently became an investor in CT United FC, the new MLS Next Pro club coming to Bridgeport next year.
2. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers:
“Cling Kong” is on a holiday heater in Portland, having totaled 19 points and 8 boards, 14 and 14 and 17 and 10 in his last three games entering Tuesday night. He’s started all 25 games in which he’s appeared this season and is averaging a double-double: 10.5 points and 10.2 boards in 26 minutes per game. He’s also found some touch with his 3-point shot lately– having knocked down five of his last seven from beyond the arc. For the season, the big man from Bristol is shooting 51.3 percent from the field.
3. Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies:
Spencer has been climbing up these rankings, and he’s a clear-cut No. 3 at the moment, as he’s earned a regular rotation spot with the Grizzlies and is posting 12.4 points and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 49.8% for the season. He’s had a fantastic December, averaging 30 minutes per game, and went for a career-high 27 points on 7-of-10 from 3-point range in a Dec. 15 win over the Clippers. There’s a lot to be thankful for in the Spencer family this holiday season, as his brother Pat has also carved out a legitimate role with the Warriors, averaging 10.5 points and 4 assists in 20 minutes per game this month.
4. Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers:
The man in the middle from Middletown continues to be a welcome beacon of consistency for the 76ers. He’s started 13 of 26 games with Philly this season and is averaging 7.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He serves as a human insurance policy for Joel Embiid, activated almost nightly. (The deductible on that thing must be insane).
5. Tyrese Martin, Brooklyn Nets:
The Nets are a miserable 8-19 this season, but Martin has been solid in contributing 20 minutes per game, and putting up 7.9 points and 3.2 rebounds. He profiles best as a 3-and-D guy, so it’d be preferable if he could shoot better than the 31.6% he’s notched from deep so far this season, but Martin has carved out a consistent role and has played well enough to give him a chance at keeping it going when he becomes a restricted free agent next season.
6. Liam McNeeley, Charlotte Hornets:
The first-round pick has seemingly finally gotten his NBA sea legs under him after dealing with injuries and illness early in the season. McNeeley has averaged 16 minutes per game in December, and is posting 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds for the month while shooting over 50% both from the field and the 3-point line. He had his best performance to date on Dec. 13, scoring 13 in a loss to the Nuggets.
7. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans:
The Pelicans have pulled a complete 180 this month, winning five straight games after starting out the season a moribund 3-22. It’s not a great sign for “Hawk” that he’s only played a combined eight minutes during that win streak. Hawkins is shooting just 33.3% from 3-point range, which isn’t good enough to earn him minutes when there are bigger, stronger, more athletic, better defenders on the roster in his position. The Pelicans have a team option on Hawkins’ contract next season, when he’s owed $7 million, and a fresh start might be best for all parties.
8. Andre Jackson, Milwaukee Bucks:
Jackson has fallen completely out of the rotation in Milwaukee, averaging just seven minutes in 13 games this season. The Bucks have a team option on his contract next season, and it’s hard to see them picking that up with the way things have gone over the last 12 months.
Other Huskies in the Pros:
Tristen Newton has put up an eyebrow-raising 26.8 points, 7.6 assists and 2.1 steals with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League affiliate … Samson Johnson is averaging 7.0 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Noblesville Boom, the Indiana Pacers’ affiliate… Niels Giffey is posting 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds for FC Bayern Munich in Germany … Hassan Diarra has moved from Israel to Juventus Utena in Lithuania and is averaging 5 points in 21 minutes per game so far.
