Identifying The NBA G League's Best Performers
With the NBA G League's first month of the 2023-24 campaign recently coming to a close, Mac McClung, Emoni Bates, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are among this season's best early performers.
With the NBA G League season in full swing, it’s time to take a look at some players making the best early impressions thus far.
Such a list could be made up of purely Two-Way Players, but in the interest of taking a closer look at those eagerly on the outside looking in, here is a mix of five Two-Way Players, and five on standard contracts, currently making their marks on the hardwood. As the smallest bit of a disclaimer, contributing to a winning environment always ups one’s stock in my book.
Mac McClung, Osceola Magic
Last season, McClung made history by participating in and winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest (he had actually signed a Two-Way contract with the 76ers just days prior) as a G League player. It’s safe to say he splashed onto the scene and became somewhat of a household name amongst fans thanks to the tricks up his sleeve.
Is the next surprise he pulls off going to be an NBA Call-Up? That very well could be. As the Orlando Magic continue to send shockwaves through The Association as the surprise team of the season, the affiliated Osceola is following suit and McClung is leading the charge. Heading into Friday’s action, he ranks third in the league with 25.4 points per game. Moreover, his leadership has been something to behold this season. Though he doesn’t rack up as many assists, McClung’s ability to run the floor has been reminiscent of one of the minor league’s best all-time point guards, Josh Magette. Of course, McClung is much more explosive around the rim, but the way he’s making things happen suggests his time at the next level is coming. After all, he was the league’s Player of the Month for November.
Oscar Tshiebwe (Two-Way Player), Indiana Pacers / Indiana Mad Ants
Standing out in the G League often means doing things other than pouring in the points. As such, there have been many skilled big men and dominant rebounders to come through its ranks. But even early on, Tshiebwe has been giving the best of the best a run for their money.
Despite playing in just 7 of the Mad Ants’ games, Tshiebwe’s 125 total rebounds still lead the league. Of course, that means his 17.9 bounds per contest have earned the current top spot as well. The 24 year old has pulled down 20+ rebounds three times this season already, including a franchise-record 28. Also averaging 18.9 points, there’s no question he’s made making his presence known all around.
JD Davidson (Two-Way Player), Boston Celtics / Maine Celtics
A familiar face from last season, Davidson is a returning Two-Way Player. Drafted by Boston in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, there hasn’t been much playing time for the young gun up at the next level. That said, he’s one of the more exciting players to watch in the minor league.
Last season, Davidson could constantly be found flirting with triple-doubles, almost on a nightly basis. This season, he’s elevated his game and asserted himself as a floor general who can push the pace. Currently second in the league with 8.5 assists per game (to go along with 23.9 points), Davidson is quick, agile, aggressive, and electrifying. That said, he often plays with a certain level of abandon that leads to unfortunate turnovers. Luckily, the G League is the perfect place to work out such kinks and he looks to be on his way to doing so.
Trevelin Queen (Two-Way Player), Orlando Magic / Osceola Magic
As McClung’s right hand man in Osceola, this former NBA G League MVP is simply building up his basketball resume in the best of ways.
The 26 year old is the minor league’s only player ranked in the top ten in both points (24) and steals (2.6) per game, proving there’s no doubt he can make an impact on both ends of the floor. Already with an NBA G League title in his trophy case (having won it with the RGV Vipers in 2022), Queen knows what it means to compete and succeed when the pressure is on, and such poise is already paying off for the Magic.
Emoni Bates (Two-Way Player), Cleveland Cavaliers / Cleveland Charge
Bates falls into the classic category of a potential stud who shockingly saw his draft stock plummet, but he’s certainly proving that his future is still plenty bright. Currently leading the G League in scoring with 27 points per game, Bates is a confident volume shooter who has knocked down at least five three-point field goals four times already this season.
At just 19 years old, Bates’ 6’8”, 170 pound frame gives him the flexibility to defend multiple positions himself, while also making him a difficult cover for smaller two-guards and swingmen.
Brandon Goodwin, Westchester Knicks
When combing the G League for athletes who can potentially make an impact at the next level, it’s incredibly difficult to omit Goodwin. At 28 years old, he’s not exactly a “prospect” anymore, but perhaps that’s not a bad thing.
Goodwin’s been around the block a few times now, and has seemingly come out on top as one of the more balanced available contributors in all of the G League. His 8 assists per game rank third best in the league, and he’s also averaging 16.2 points, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Goodwin is a natural leader with steady veteran know-how. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a call from a team in need of a quick injection of life to combat some injury bumps and bruises as the season progresses.
Jared Rhoden (Two-Way Player), Detroit Pistons / Motor City Cruise
Already an NBA G League Player of the Week award winner this season, Rhoden’s Motor City Cruise are off to a cool 7-3 start and he’s a huge reason why. The 24 year old is truly such a skilled scorer. He’s a fantastic finisher, both in traffic and when facing swarming pressure from the defense.
He has great instincts, and though the G League normally awards its Most Improved Player honor to someone who has made strides over the course of a single season, Rhoden would run away with the award if it were bestowed in a more traditional manner. He’s averaging 22.6 points on 50% from the field and 47% from deep this season, up from 13.9 with the Skyhawks last season, to go along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists (up from 1.4 last year) and 1.1 steals.
Justin Champagnie, Sioux Falls Skyforce
Champagnie is taking part in his third minor league campaign despite still being just 22 years old. As fate would have it, the experience he’s amassed has resulted in him looking more confident than ever as a member of the Skyforce.
A versatile performer, Champagnie is athletic and plays with an endless motor, one that could easily rival just about anyone in the G League. This spark plug is all about energy and hustle, and can always be found crashing the offensive glass in search of second-chance points.
He’s averaging 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1 block, clearly ready and able to make a plethora of contributions for any NBA team looking to bolster its roster.
Scotty Pippen Jr., South Bay Lakers
Obviously the name itself jumps off the page here, but this young gun isn’t simply getting brownie points because his dad is a Basketball Hall of Famer. Pippen Jr. has been on a rampage as of late: he’s averaged 20.8 points, 6.7 assists 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals in his last six games. That same span included a five-game winning streak by South Bay, with Pippen Jr. tallying his first career triple-double and four outings with at least 27 points.
He’s someone who can really push the pace and play with electricity. But after a much slower start to the campaign, it’s up to him to prove that the player who makes front office personnel raise their eyebrows in a positive way is the player that shows up to play more often that not.
Everyone is in the G League for a reason: the 23 year old should use this time wisely. He could benefit from matured instincts, learning when to find his teammates in transition, in lieu of jacking up contested shots. Still, he’s undoubtedly a player to watch if things all come together.
Chris Silva, College Park Skyhawks
He may not be the most consistent performer, but there’s a lot to like about Silva when reviewing potential NBA Call-Up candidates. At 27 years old, he’s a pro’s pro with 70 NBA games under his belt. Any time one goes through the Miami'Heat’s development system as he has, that seems to be a plus.
This season, Silva is averaging 16.2 points (on nearly 60% shooting), 9.5 rebounds (a top ten rank in the league) and 1.4 blocks, all in just 26.6 minutes per game. He brings hustle and energy to the floor each and every night, appearing in all eleven games of College Park’s promising 7-4 start. Skilled big men who can supply NBA teams with physicality are often hard to come by, meaning Silva has the credentials to warrant consideration.