USC player in NBA: De’Anthony Melton continues breakout season for 76ers
The USC men’s basketball program is well represented in the NBA, with 11 former Trojans playing in the pros this season. Every two weeks, AllTrojans will take stock of how USC graduates are doing.
Here’s a summary of each player’s performance over the past two weeks. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
DeMar DeRozanChicago Bulls
The Bulls have been in a bit of a slump lately, losing four of their last six games. However, DeRozan has remained productive. The five-time All-Star has averaged 29.7 points in the team’s last three games. He nearly hit his first triple-double of the season during the Bulls’ overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, finishing the game with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in more than 45 minutes. During the season, DeRozan is averaging 26 points per game, leading the Bulls and ranked 14th in the NBA.
Dewayne Dedmon, Miami Heat
Dedmon has been struggling with a foot injury and has missed two of the Heat’s last six games as a result. He saved for the last two and totaled eight points and eight rebounds in more than 27 minutes.
Taj Gibson, Washington Wizards
Gibson has played sparingly while the Wizards stumbled on a six-game losing streak. In his last five competitions, the veteran has averaged just 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in just over six minutes per game.
Jordan McLaughlin, Minnesota Timberwolves
McLaughlin injured his left calf again in the Timberwolves’ win over the Utah Jazz on Friday and as a result missed the team’s matchup against the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday. Aside from the four minutes he played against the Jazz, McLaughlin has appeared in just two of Minnesota’s last nine games and he could be sidelined for the next few weeks. In the two contests in which he was healthy, McLaughlin has averaged 7.0 points and 4.0 assists.
De’Anthony Melton, Philadelphia 76ers
Photo by Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Melton continues to serve as a night starter for the 76ers. He showed why in the team’s win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, posting a career-high 33 points from seven steals. Melton is now the 76ers’ fifth-best scorer averaging 11.9 points per game for the season and the team leader in steals.
Chimezie Metu, Kings of Sacramento
Metu failed to score in the Kings’ loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. He had previously had some value off the bench, averaging 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in five games.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Mobley has continued his strong second NBA season with three double-doubles in his last six games. That included a performance of 21 points and 12 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. Over the past two weeks, Mobley averaged 15.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Isaiah Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
The elder Mobley has not played in the Cavaliers’ last seven games.
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
Okongwu returned to his reserve role after starting two games last month, but he has still proven to be a regular contributor for the Hawks. In the team’s last six games, Okongwu has averaged 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. He ranks second on the team in rebounding per 36 minutes and sixth in scoring.
Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets
Porter continued to start every game for the Rockets in his third NBA season. In the team’s last six games, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He scored 24 points and made 4-of-8 three-pointers during the Rockets’ excitement against the 76ers on Dec. 5, but he’s gone cold behind the arc in the two games since, missing all seven of his tries.
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls
Vucevic remains a key figure for the Bulls. He has hit double digits in 12 straight games. Over the past two weeks, he’s averaged 18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He put up consecutive 20-point games last week and had 25 points (in addition to 11 rebounds) in a win over the Wizards on Wednesday and 20 more in a win over the Mavericks on Friday. Vucevic is one of 11 players in the NBA to average a double-double as he now sits at 16.2 points and 10.7 rebounds.
